Pillow Fight Championship returned to ESPN8: The Ocho on Aug. 1, 2025 with “Hush Presents Pillow Fight Championship.” The event, broadcast live on ESPN2, featured an intense 8-Man Tournament, an Undisputed Women’s Championship Match and the “Hush Super Fight” featuring MMA Legends Cheick Kongo and Hector Lombard in their first-ever professional pillow fight.
Leo Carvalho def. Guenard Alexis – Men’s Quarterfinal 1
Uly Diaz def. Chauncey Palmer – Men’s Quarterfinal 2
Leandro Apollo def. Kemal Tuncel – Men’s Quarterfinal 3
OJ ROSÉ def. Brendon Davis – Men’s Quarterfinal 4
Leo Carvalho def. Uly Diaz – Men’s Semifinal 1
Leandro Apollo def. OJ ROSÉ – Men’s Semifinal 2
Istela Nunes def. Julia Dorney – Undisputed Women’s Championship Match
Hector Lombard def. Cheick Kongo – Hush Super Fight
Leandro Apollo def. Leo Carvalho – Men’s Championship Final
The disruptive sleep company becomes the first bedding brand to partner with a combat sport, blurring the line between comfort and competition. (CNW Group/Sleep Country Canada Inc.)
TORONTO, July 28, 2025 – Hush, the beloved brand known for turning sleep science into luxurious bedding, is making a bold move into the sporting arena. Today, Hush proudly announces it will be the headline presenter of the 2025 Pillow Fight Championship (PFC) — an internationally recognized, fast-growing combat sport that combines playful competition with high-energy entertainment.
As the official presenter, Hush will bring its signature innovative comfort and disruptive brand personality to an unexpected stage, helping redefine how and where consumers experience the power of its pillows. The brand matchup begins August 1 at 10 p.m. ET with “Hush Presents Pillow Fight Championship” hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida and airing live on ESPN2, as part of the network’s ninth annual ESPN8: The Ocho festivities.
“Partnering with Pillow Fight Championship is as perfect of a fit as a fitted sheet,” said Jean Vashisht, VP, Hush. “As a disruptive bedding company that’s on a mission to help sleepers achieve their best rest yet by combining cutting-edge technology and innovative design, we’re thrilled to introduce a partnership that’s just as cutting-edge and playful as Hush.”
Pillow Fight Championship, founded in 2020, is known for its mix of athleticism, showmanship, fast-paced action, and as a safe and fun alternative to traditional combat sports. Fans at “Hush Presents Pillow Fight Championship” can expect a new level of soft-fueled smackdowns with direct engagement. In addition to the live broadcast, viewers will be treated to all of the exciting highlights and moments from the event on Instagram and TikTok. Select in-arena attendees will receive a Hush pillow case rally towel to cheer on their favorite fighter, further bringing the Hush x PFC partnership to life.
“Pillow Fight Championship is about fun, action-packed competition, and a little bit of chaos — and who better to partner with than Hush, a brand that’s redefining the comfort and wellness space,” said Steve Williams, founder and CEO of Pillow Fight Championship. “We’re thrilled to have Hush on board as we return to The Ocho and bring the world of Professional Pillow Fighting to fans everywhere.”
This sponsorship marks a unique moment in brand partnership — a first-of-its-kind alliance between a sleep company and a combat sport. It’s a testament to Hush’s fearless creativity and commitment to showing up in places traditional bedding brands won’t dare.
To learn more about Hush’s award-winning sleep products, visitwww.hushblankets.com.
For more information on Pillow Fight Championship, visit www.fightpfc.com and follow across social media @FightPFC.
About Hush
Hush is a sleep and wellness brand that was founded in 2018. The company’s product line includes mattresses, blankets, pillows and sleep accessories, aligned with its mission to help sleepers achieve a better night’s rest with modern and contemporary solutions to real sleep problems. Hush’s famous cooling sheets are crafted from 100% viscose bamboo, a heat and moisture wicking fabric, designed to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night.
About Pillow Fight Championship
PFC: Pillow Fight Championship is the world’s first professional pillow fighting league featuring professional fighters engaging in intense, fast-paced and all ages-friendly combat, unrivaled by any other professional sports entertainment or fighting organization. However, PFC isn’t just for professional fighters. The brand has developed a unique set of rules and regulations to complement its patent-pending and safe combat pillows that allow anyone to participate. Pillow Fight Championship has been credited for being a safe alternative to traditional, violent combat sports and for its cardiovascular and benefits.
Hush Presents Pillow Fight Championship (PFC), the world’s only and premier professional pillow fighting league, is set to make its highly anticipated return to ESPN8: The Ocho, as part of the network’s ninth annual celebration of offbeat and adrenaline-charged sports. After a two-year hiatus from The Ocho lineup, PFC storms back onto the national stage on Friday, August 1 at 10 p.m. ET, broadcasting live from ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
First appearing on The Ocho in 2023, Pillow Fight Championship captivated audiences with its combination of athleticism, strategy, and pure entertainment. Now, Hush Presents PFC returns bigger than ever — headlining Friday evening’s primetime slate of competitions and reaffirming its place as one of The Ocho’s most talked-about attractions.
“Pillow Fight Championship delivers a unique mix of intensity and fun that embodies everything The Ocho stands for,” said PFC founder and CEO Steve Williams. “We’re thrilled to be back with ESPN and bring fans a front-row seat to some of the most exciting matchups in PFC history.”
PFC’s primetime feature will be part of a massive day of action from The Ocho’s first-ever live event hub at ESPN Wide World of Sports, where 11 competitions will unfold before live audiences. The day also includes fan favorites like Major League Paintball, the National Dodgeball League Championships, and the Pop-A-Shot National Championship.
“We’re not only going to match the intensity and excitement of the last time we were on The Ocho, we’re going to surpass it and once again have everyone talking about Professional Pillow Fighting,” added PFC Chief Content Officer Kevin Powers.
Now in its ninth year, ESPN8: The Ocho will air more than 65 hours of content across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes and ESPN digital platforms from Thursday, July 31 through Sunday, August 3, including 30 new sports making their Ocho debut — the most in the event’s history.
On Friday night, The Ocho’s primetime trifecta will feature concurrent coverage across three networks, with Pillow Fight Championship’s return headlining ESPN2’s slate, alongside Extreme Archery and the National Dodgeball League Championships.
With its comeback timed for peak primetime exposure, Hush Presents Pillow Fight Championship is once again proving why it’s more than a novelty, it’s more than just a thing — it’s a full-contact phenomenon.
Partnership Brings PFC Fights to National Television Audiences in Brazil
Pillow Fight Championship (PFC), the world’s only Professional Pillow Fight league is thrilled to announce a new partnership with SFT Combat, Brazil’s premier mixed martial arts organization. As part of this collaboration, PFC will feature one of its signature pillow fights at the beginning of every SFT event, offering fans an exciting and dynamic new addition to the lineup.
SFT Combat hosts two events each month on Saturdays, drawing live audiences and national television viewership across Brazil on TV Band, Samsung TV, TCL, and Pluto TV. This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for PFC, providing unparalleled national exposure in Brazil and a pathway to attract national sponsors while solidifying its reputation as a valuable complement to MMA and boxing events.
“This partnership with SFT Combat is a game-changer for PFC,” said Steve Williams, CEO at Pillow Fight Championship. “By showcasing our unique and entertaining fights on national television in Brazil, we’re not only expanding our fan base but also demonstrating how PFC can seamlessly integrate with top-tier combat sports events. This collaboration is a testament to the growing recognition of PFC as a legitimate and exciting addition to the combat sports world.”
In light of this new deal, PFC will redirect its focus from traditional event participation in Brazil, such as the Arnold Sports Festival and Mr. Olympia, to the regular exposure provided by SFT Combat. With national television broadcasts now a regular occurrence, this partnership paves the way for potential future opportunities, including PFC-hosted nationally televised events.
PFC’s innovative fights continue to captivate audiences worldwide, proving that the sport can enhance any MMA or boxing event while delivering unmatched entertainment value.
For more information on Pillow Fight Championship, visit FIGHTPFC.com or follow us on social media at @FIGHTPFC.
