Jordan Newman: Honoring Late Coach Duke Roufus is Motivation for PFL Chicago Fight

Jordan Newman is set to compete in the co-main event of PFL Chicago, a night that holds special significance for him and his teammate Sergio Pettis, as they both intend to honor their late coach, martial arts legend Duke Roufus.

When asked about the importance of this fight in his career, especially being featured prominently on the card and facing a seasoned PFL fighter like Josh Silveira, Newman shared his perspective. "It's definitely a step up in terms of my position on the card," Newman stated. "It's pretty cool to be in the co-main event, especially with Sergio [Pettis], a teammate of mine, headlining. So, yeah, it's awesome."

Jordan Newman on Facing Silveira and Honoring Roufus's Memory

Delving deeper into the matchup, Newman acknowledged Josh Silveira's strengths and experience. "He's tough, but everyone at this level is tough," Newman said. "They present different strategic challenges. I mean, he's coming up from fighting at 205, so he's likely quite large. That's fine because I don't cut much weight myself, so I'll let him handle the weight cutting. He has a solid resume and is a tough fighter. Facing someone like Josh will definitely solidify and improve my skills, especially after I win."

Sergio Pettis had previously expressed that his PFL Chicago fight was an opportunity to honor their late coach, Duke Roufus, by showcasing the techniques he learned under his guidance. When questioned if Jordan Newman felt a similar connection, viewing his fight as a chance to perpetuate the Roufusport legacy through his performance, Newman confirmed it. "Yes. You have to make the people who are no longer with us proud of what you're doing, and I intend to do that in this fight. So, it's definitely a significant part of it for me."