Joe Schilling to return at PFL Brussels against fellow ex-kickboxer

At the tender age of 42, “Stitch ‘em Up” Joe Schilling is going to test himself in the confines of the Professional Fighters League in May. A Middleweight World Title Fight headlines PFL Madrid: Tune in LIVE, Friday, March 20 at 12 p. m.

ET . After over six years away from the sport of MMA, former Glory kickboxing standout Schilling (4-6) will be coming back to compete in a cage again. The PFL released the news of his next fight on Thursday, which will take place at PFL Brussels on May 23.

There, he will square off inside of the ING Arena with fellow former kickboxer Donegi Abena , who will be making his professional debut. The one-time welterweight will be taking this match in Brussels, Belgium, at 205 pounds, in what will be his first MMA bout since October 2019. At Bellator 229, Schilling saw his lone career win streak come to a crashing halt when Tony Johnson put him away with one punch.

This also spelled the end to his time with Bellator MMA , as the six-fight Bellator vet could not get a license to compete again and was released from his contract. MMA Junkie was the first to break this news, reporting it shortly before the PFL posted it on its social media. From Glory to PFL Suriname’s Abena served as Glory’s light heavyweight champ, winning it against Sergej Maslobojev in 2023 and defending it once against Mohamed Touchassie.