Joe Schilling vs. Donegi Abena: Kickboxing Veterans Collide as Abena Makes MMA Debut at PFL Brussels

Joe Schilling is set to make his return to a major combat sports stage against fellow elite striker Donegi Abena. This highly anticipated light heavyweight bout will take place at PFL Brussels on May 23 at the ING Arena in Brussels, Belgium, marking Abena's long-awaited mixed martial arts debut. The event will showcase a compelling clash between two accomplished kickboxers under the PFL banner.

Joe Schilling vs. Donegi Abena Announced for PFL

Schilling's participation in this matchup is notable given his extensive background in high-level striking. A veteran of GLORY's middleweight division and a long-standing figure in American kickboxing, he is renowned for his aggressive fighting style, delivering violent finishes, and consistently challenging top opponents during GLORY's peak era in North America. His kickboxing career boasts numerous memorable knockouts that became staples in combat sports highlight reels. This rich history is a key reason PFL has positioned him against a formidable opponent like Abena, rather than easing the GLORY champion into MMA with a less experienced fighter. Furthermore, Schilling brings prior MMA experience, having competed intermittently throughout his kickboxing career, which grants him a familiarity with the cage environment that Abena has yet to acquire.

Donegi Abena arrives at PFL Brussels as a former GLORY light heavyweight titleholder, making a strategic transition from kickboxing to mixed martial arts. During his tenure in GLORY, he navigated a challenging division to ultimately claim the light heavyweight belt, solidifying his status as one of the best kickboxers in his weight class.

His decision to sign with PFL and debut in 2026 follows growing discussions within European fight media regarding the state of the kickboxing market and the increasing allure of MMA's broader global reach and greater financial potential. For PFL, securing Abena on a long-term contract and scheduling his inaugural fight on a European card clearly signals their intent to invest in striking-focused talents who already possess significant name recognition on that side of the Atlantic.

The stylistic pairing is central to why this fight stands out on the Brussels card. Schilling's experience in GLORY and other kickboxing organizations means he possesses a deep understanding of Abena's fighting world. Both athletes have spent years competing under rules that reward aggressive striking and precise timing, and this shared background sets the stage for exciting early exchanges.

The primary uncertainties revolve around Abena's adaptation to MMA's more comprehensive rule set and whether Schilling's previous exposure to takedowns, clinch grappling, and cage positioning will provide him with a practical advantage once the fight moves beyond pure stand-up exchanges. Even if both fighters prefer to strike, the constant threat of level changes, clinch trips, and ground scrambles will be present in a way neither encountered in GLORY.

This bout represents a convergence of two distinct phases in the kickboxing-to-MMA pipeline. Schilling embodies an earlier generation of GLORY and American kickboxers who ventured into MMA, often without the benefit of a structured season format or the specific promotional focus that PFL now dedicates to crossover stars.

In contrast, Abena enters MMA as a recent world champion at a relatively young age, carrying significant momentum and backed by a clear promotional push. A strong debut from Abena in Brussels would immediately position him as a contender for future PFL campaigns and reaffirm the potential for top European and Surinamese-Dutch strikers to successfully transition to the cage.

For Schilling, securing an upset victory over the former GLORY champion would be a significant achievement, potentially revitalizing his MMA career and adding a notable win to his record at a time when PFL is expanding its international schedule and deepening its talent pools across divisions.

The event itself is headlined by the unbeaten Belgian welterweight Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora (8-0) facing former UFC champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson (30-12), with the Schilling-Abena clash serving as a key part of the supporting lineup.