'PFL: Washington D.C.' adds Blagoy Ivanov vs. Caio Alencar, Lance Palmer vs. TBA

The Professional Fighters League’s final event of 2017 now has its first two fights – or at least one-and-a-half matchups.

PFL officials recently revealed that “PFL: Washington D.C.” will take place Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Washington Hilton in Washington D.C. A heavyweight matchup between former WSOF champ Blagoy Ivanov (15-1) and Brazilian veteran Caio Alencar (11-1) serves as the headliner, while former WSOF featherweight champion Lance Palmer (11-3) features an opponent yet to be named.

The event serves as a partnership project with Fight For Children, “a nonprofit based in Washington D.C. with a mission to ensure all kids in the District of Columbia region, especially those in the highest need areas, receive a quality early education and solid foundation for future success,” according to PFL officials.

Two additional bouts will be revealed shortly for the card, which will stream live in its entirety on ProfessionalFightersLeague.com.

“Fight Night has been a staple in Washington for nearly three decades, and the Professional Fighters League is excited and honored to have some of our top athletes compete at this year’s event,” PFL Executive Chairman Russ Ramsey stated. “MMA fighters are among the most disciplined, driven, and committed athletes in the world – traits we hope to instill in our own kids and children everywhere, regardless of their backgrounds. As a D.C. native, myself, I have seen the incredible work of Fight For Children up close, and can think of no better way to cap off 2017 and begin the PFL’s mission of putting athletes first and reimagining the sport of MMA forever.”

Ivanov, ranked No. 14 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA heavyweight rankings, enters the bout on a four-fight winning streak, built entirely under the WSOF banner before the promotion’s recent rebranding as the PFL. He now meets Alencar, who also boasts a four-fight winning streak – a run that includes a 77-second knockout of Jared Rosholt at this past December’s WSOF 34 event.

For more on “PFL: Washington D.C.,” check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.