A compelling bantamweight contest is slated for PFL Brussels on Saturday, May 23, 2026, featuring Brazil’s Marcirley Alves against Japan’s Naoki Inoue. This significant international matchup adds an exciting dimension to the Professional Fighters League’s 2026 European calendar, pitting the reigning 2025 PFL World Tournament bantamweight champion against a respected former RIZIN titleholder.
Alves: PFL Champion’s Ascent
Marcirley Alves arrives in Brussels following a remarkable ascent through the 2025 PFL World Tournament. His championship run culminated in a unanimous decision victory over Justin Wetzell in the final, with scorecards reading 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47. Throughout that season, Alves demonstrated his resilience and ability to turn the tide in challenging encounters, securing notable upsets against former Bellator contender Leandro Higo and defeating Jake Hadley under the PFL banner.
Turning professional in 2017, Alves has swiftly climbed the ranks within PFL’s bantamweight division, reaching the top five in the league by early 2026. His impressive record includes numerous knockout or technical knockout finishes, showcasing his potent striking ability and aggressive style.
Inoue: RIZIN Veteran’s Technical Prowess
On the opposing side stands Naoki Inoue, recognized as one of RIZIN’s most consistent lighter-weight combatants in recent years. The Japanese bantamweight claimed the vacant RIZIN title in September 2024 with a first-round TKO win over Kim Soo-chul in Saitama. He successfully defended his belt in 2025, first with a split decision victory against Yuki Motoya and then a unanimous decision over Ryuya Fukuda. Inoue’s reign concluded on New Year’s Eve 2025, where he lost a closely contested split decision to Danny Sabatello, also in Saitama.
Inoue boasts a comprehensive fighting background rooted in karate and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, allowing him to seamlessly transition between long-range striking and strategic grappling exchanges. His international career began in 2014, including a stint with the UFC before he returned to Japan to solidify his career with RIZIN. By the time PFL Brussels was announced, Inoue had amassed over 20 professional wins, with his recent schedule packed with championship-level opposition in Japan.
A Global Bantamweight Battle in Brussels
The PFL Brussels event on May 23 signifies the league’s ongoing expansion into Europe, with the Alves vs. Inoue bout highlighted by its captivating “Brazil meets Japan” narrative. The card is set to feature a blend of established talent and promising European contenders. This bantamweight showdown, in particular, presents a fascinating stylistic clash: Alves’s forward-pressing power against Inoue’s precise, technical approach. The fighter who can best dictate the pace and control the range over three rounds in Brussels will undoubtedly secure a pivotal victory, significantly impacting their standing in the global 135-pound division.