Joe Schilling is returning to MMA competition for the first time since October 2019 and combat sports for the first time in more than two years at PFL Brussels.
Schilling (4-6), a veteran of six fights in the now-defunct Bellator organization, is set to put the MMA gloves back on for a showdown with former GLORY Kickboxing champion Donegi Abena (0-0), who will be making his MMA debut at the May 23 event from ING Arena in Brussels, Belgium (ESPN Unlimited).
A person with knowledge of matchup verified the booking to MMA Junkie on Thursday.
Schilling, 42, made his exit from MMA following a knockout loss to Tony Johnson at Bellator 229. He had a pair of fights scratched in the following years before facing former UFC champ Luke Rockhold at Karate Combat 45 in April 2024, which he lost by third-round knockout.
He now makes his return in what should be an all-striking affair with Abena, who went 31-11 during his kickboxing career with losses to notables such as Alex Pereira, Artem Vakhitov and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
At 28, Abena signed with PFL in December and now finally has his promotional debut set.
The latest PFL Brussels card now includes:
- Patrick Habirora vs. Benson Henderson
- Jake Hadley vs. Taylor Lapilus
- Boris Mbarga Atangana vs. Jared Gooden
- Asael Adjoudj vs. Keisuke Sasu
- Baris Adiguzel vs. Gustavo Oliveira
Why not just go fight in Rizin? They also have kickboxing & MMA similar to Bellator. Is JS a felon? If not how would he not fit in down there?
Remember when he was all about BLM and the woke culture on Rogan? What a fucking POS.
I will be rooting for him to get beatdown
I had zero clue bendo was still out there…
Thats sad in many ways
He should stick to beating up drunks at the bar.