Live Now! 2025 PFL Europe 2 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Salvo Giudice (162.9) vs. Brice Belghazi (163)

Round 1

PFL Europe 2 in Brussels starts with an all-France battle between Giudice (1-0, 1-0 PFL) and Belghazi (1-1, 0-1 PFL) at a pre-planned 163-pound catchweight. Rich Mitchell will be its referee. They touch gloves, and Belghazi stumbles back as Giudice is right on him in a hurry. The ensuing aggression from Giudice results in him getting spun around to put the fence behind him. Belghazi slams knees to the thigh from odd angles like a muay thai fighter, thumping them as he otherwise grinds on the one-fight veteran. Giudice turns him about, where he starts kneeing his foe back. They continue to spin, and Mitchell asks for them to do more than this. They do not appear to listen, as he has to come back soon to usher more activity out of them. Once more, his calls for activity fall on deaf ears, and he separates them. Giudice strikes with a low kick, and he intercepts Belghazi on the way in with a right hand. Belghazi gets off a body kick, and he jumps with a kick to the midsection after it.

Giudice shrugs them both off and plods forward to deliver a short salvo of punches, where he gets grabbed and clinched and turned to the wire. When stuck in that position, he gives Belghazi a few elbows to the side of the dome to think about. He muscles his way around, where he drags Belghazi to a knee but cannot keep him down. He does manage to push Belghazi to the wall, where he drums his man with an elbow. They trade knees up close and personal as Mitchell asks for action, and this time, Giudice listens. He hits a trip takedown, planting his countryman on his back with about 45 seconds left in a round that is still free for the taking. Giudice postures up to drop down elbows, smacking his opponent with ground strikes when his hand is freed. Belghazi kicks off and stands, and Giudice follows him with a slapping kick before the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Giudice
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Giudice
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Giudice

Round 2

Belghazi is a bit cheeky coming out of his corner, as he dashes in to touch gloves and immediately follows it with a straight punch. He uses his charging forward energy to jam Giudice to the fencing, where he slows things down with knees and tries to trip up his fellow Frenchman. Giudice gets wrenched to a knee, and he springs back up and is able to turn the corner to push Belghazi back. Mitchell does not approve of these stalls and asks for action. Belghazi answers, but does the wrong movement as he pulls Giudice on top of him in a sacrifice throw that fails miserably. Giudice instantly starts raining down elbows and punches, grateful he was gifted this opportunity. He postures up and even stands to drop a high-amplitude strike or two, and Belghazi smacks him back from his back.

Giudice looks to pass the guard, moving to half guard, and Mitchell is bored and wants something more to happen. Giudice moves into side control, and Belghazi suddenly wraps up a buggy choke from out of nowhere. The extremely unorthodox grip around the side, wrenching an arm and a leg around the back of Giudice’s neck strangling him in a bizarro not-arm-triangle, is super effective. Giudice thinks about surrendering, but he presses his forearm down on the throat of Belghazi to relieve some pressure. The calm Giudice is able to work his way out of the choke, although blood appears on his face as if it was squeezed out of him like Demian Maia against Rick Story. When the choke dematerializes, the two fighters are in an odd position, so they both pop back to their feet. Still trying to get his wind back, Giudice settles to lean on his man against the wire, and Belghazi turns him around at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Belghazi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Belghazi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Belghazi

Round 3

The fatigued fighters reach the third round and offer a glove touch without any funny business behind it this time. Giudice reintroduces himself with some low kicks that force Belghazi to recoil, and he practically walks his way forward to push Belghazi to his back. Giudice drills his foe with an elbow with a clacking sound that echoes through the arena, and he delivers a few more before Mitchell is already calling for him to improve his position or stay busy. Giudice may not have enough in the reserves to go all-out, although Belghazi does spin to his knees to recover to his feet. Giudice immediately mat returns him on his face, deflating the 1-1 fighter further and kneeing him in the side of the head. By whipping Belghazi’s arm around, he is able to control Belghazi and wrangle him back to the mat, where Giudice quickly steps into full mount. Belghazi turns over to give up his back, and the rear-naked choke is an instant attack for Giudice. He fastens the submission and slithers the forearm beneath the choke, with Belghazi offering practically zero resistance. The tap comes a few seconds later, with Belghazi totally spent after surrendering. That is one fight, one finish this morning.

The Official Result

Salvo Giudice def. Brice Belghazi R3 2:14 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Fahdi Khaled (135.7) vs. Levi Batchelor (135.8)

Round 1

Bantamweights are in the cage as a pair of 2-0 Europeans ply their trade. Belgium’s Khaled (2-0, 0-0 PFL) takes on Welsh oncomer Batchelor (2-0, 0-0 PFL), and referee Philip Vanheusden takes charge. They share a glove touch, and Khaled gets right on the gas with a few stabbing front kicks. He reaches the chest a few times, while the Welshman bounces on the outside. Khaled jabs at the body, waiting for Batchelor to bounce in to strike. Batchelor sits down on a left hook to counter, and he shoots in for a double-leg takedown. Batchelor puts the home country fighter on his back, depositing himself in the guard comfortably to open up with short ground strikes. Khaled closes his guard tight until taking a few elbows, and he changes his mind and puts a foot on the hip for a possible butterfly hook. The angle of his foot is able to push off enough to force Batchelor back to his feet, but this only allows Batchelor to leap back down and nearly gets to side control.

Khaled drags him back to guard, and Batchelor stands up and nails Khaled with a standing-to-ground right hand. Khaled lifts his legs up for a potential triangle choke setup, using a rubber guard to threaten the Welshman from his back. Batchelor shrugs them off but his arms are trapped, and Khaled wraps up the left arm and sweeps Batchelor with an omoplata. Batchelor explodes to turn himself around again, putting Khaled on his back again and deflating the Belgian fighter. Batchelor grinds his elbow on the jaw of his opponent to make his life miserable, but otherwise stalls. Vanheusden claps for them to do something more. Khaled hangs on tight in hopes of forcing a referee standup, as Vanheusden claps again. The round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Batchelor
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Batchelor
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Batchelor

Round 2

The 135ers clap hands to get going, and Khaled claims the center of the cage looking for his left hook. Batchelor is even quicker to shoot in on the hips, ultimately falling to his back and forcing a wild scramble. The Welshman powers through all the way to reverse his fortunes and press Khaled to his back, where he positions himself in side control. Batchelor puts himself back in half guard to establish further control as Khaled is bucking like a bronco, and he gets off some hard ground strikes while Khaled searches for a submission setup. There is none to be had, but Khaled is able to reverse the position and drill Batchelor with some left hands. When Batchelor stands, Khaled follows him and drives him to the wall, kneeing him all the while. Batchelor tries hard to trip up Khaled, but his back is to the wall and his leverage is not there. Khaled lets him have it with elbows from up close, and Batchelor uses one of them to push away and rest.

The two swing it out, with Batchelor nailing Khaled with a right hand and shooting right after it to secure a double and plant Khaled on his back. Khaled answers with a guillotine choke, but he cannot hold it as his neck his jammed between the floor and the fencing. Batchelor sits in the open guard and embraces the grind, occasionally striking but preferring to rack up control time. Batchelor lifts his leg up high in effort to pass, and he times a Khaled turn to take his back. Batchelor flattens Khaled out and hammers him with right hands until Khaled turns to put his back on the floor. Khaled keeps moving, and he pulls a heel hook out of nowhere. Batchelor turns to yank his leg out of submission danger, and he puts himself back on top with about 30 seconds left in the round. Batchelor thumps up the body a few times and follows them with head shots, none of them overly dangerous. The horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Batchelor
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Batchelor
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Batchelor

Round 3

Fists are bumped to start the final frame, with Khaled again the one pushing the pace out of the gate. He lets loose a body kick and leans back to avoid a soaring right hand, and steps in to drive a knee to the body that drops the Welsh fighter to his own knee. Batchelor abandons his strategy of swinging for the fence and goes to the path of least resistance: wrestling. He hits a clean double, stepping over to half guard in a matter of seconds. Khaled’s submission setups are nullified in this position, with Batchelor imposing his weight and keeping his chest tight on Khaled’s until he is dragged back to the full guard. Batchelor postures up to slash Khaled’s head open on the right side by the eyebrow, and blood smears around his face on the first received blow. Batchelor positions himself in side control, his arm actually wiping some of the blood away, and he aims his left hand at the wound a few times.

The Belgian takes another elbow on the same spot, appearing out of options as time ticks off the clock. Batchelor stays busy enough in the guard to stave off referee cries for more, with his elbows his best weapons. Eventually, Vanheusden does clap to demand more action, to which Batchelor sits up in the guard and drills Khaled with four or five undefended blows. This is not enough for Vanheusden, who claps even as Batchelor moves to side control. Khaled elbows Batchelor in the back of the head, drawing a warning for the foul, and he is stuck in a bad position. Batchelor loops his arms around the neck to tie up a sudden Ezekiel choke, his right arm behind the head while his left presses on the windpipe or carotid artery. Khaled does not know what to do in this position, and he punches Batchelor in the back a few times awkwardly. These flails look sort of like taps, but they are not registered immediately. Batchelor releases his grip, and he stands up to walk away in victory. Vanheusden needs a moment to gather his thoughts, and he waves the fight off after all—but not by technical submission. The fists to the back apparently considered physical surrender, it is a straight-up submission after all. With that, Batchelor wins the battle of 2-0 neophytes.

The Official Result

Levi Batchelor def. Fahdi Khaled R3 4:34 via Submission (Ezekiel Choke)

Adam Meskini (145.7) vs. Tiziano Ferranti (145.7)

Round 1

A featherweight showcase match continues the action, with these two athletes far more experienced than the four to precede them tonight. Meskini (9-3, 1-1 PFL), with 12 fights under his belt, is a relative old hat at the age of 28. He meets Ferranti (10-1, 0-0 PFL), 25, with both of these two years before their physical primes. Referee Axel Vankimmenade takes charge. They tap gloves together, with Meskini taking the center of the cage early. Ferranti jabs his way in, walking into a thumping body kick and a low kick. As Ferranti looks for an angle, Meskini drills him with two more kicks to the ribcage. Ferranti charges in, but it is his left hook on the way out that is his best strike. Meskini swings a kick up high to mix things up, and he rifles a straight left down the pipe. Meskini keeps potshotting with body kicks and longer jabs, and he strings together a one-two and a high kick. A left and a right shake up the Italian, who decides his best course of action is to charge like a bull swinging his fists. Meskini stays composed, driving home another one-two and a head kick behind it. Ferranti’s subsequent blitz is inaccurate, and Meskini pops him with an uppercut and a left hook. Ferranti lets his hands go, clipping Meskini with a punch or two, but the body kick he eats takes some wind out of his sails. Ferranti pushes in for a takedown, but all he can do is bully Meskini to the wire.

Ferranti gets busy with short knees to the same part of Meskini’s inner thigh, until Meskini is tired of receiving them and turns him around. Meskini bumps Ferranti on the jaw a few times with his shoulder and knees his foe in the shoulder. Vankimmenade claps for them to do more in the clinch. Ferranti fights his way out, and he is quick to lob punches at the Frenchman. Ferranti ducks down into a knee, but he shrugs them off. They knee at the same time, and Ferranti knees Meskini in the groin. Meskini grimaces, but the foul is not called and they have to fight on. Ferranti gets in the driver’s seat and busts Meskini in the chops with a few left hands. Meskini calms himself down and delivers another body kick, but he walks square into a balance-busting right hook. Meskini barely keeps on his feet, with Ferranti pressing forward aggressively. Right before the round ends, Ferranti trips Meskini up to take him down. Then comes the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meskini
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ferranti
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ferranti

Round 2

Ferranti walks his feet across the cage wall to improve his position, but he only puts himself in the bat end of a near north-south position. Meskini drives knees to the side and shoulder, putting some mustard on them as he raises his legs high to thump up the Italian. Meskini takes advantage of the north-south position he is given to pursue a choke from that position, wrapping his right arm around the back of Ferranti’s head and pressing his chest down. He bails on the submission, stands up and lowers himself down while hurling strikes. Ferranti turns to a knee and leans his side on the fencing, and he muscles his way to his feet while Meskini is pressing on him. When Ferranti stands, Meskini greets him with a knee to the belly. He then delivers a body kick, and a left to the liver short-circuits the Italian for a second. Ferranti backpedals as best as he can to survive, and Meskini lays into him with punches and a knee before changing his mind and shooting for a takedown. Fight IQ may not be his best attribute, but thankfully for him, Ferranti wills himself back to his feet. This opens up a final assault for the Frenchman, who blasts Ferranti with punches and a knee that put “The Golden Boy” down for good. Vankimmenade, who gave Ferranti every opportunity to fight back and stay in the match, has no choice but to wave the bout off despite mere seconds remaining on the clock. Ferranti’s left eye starts to close up from the damage, and he does not protest the stoppage after getting his body chopped down to size. That is three finishes in three tilts tonight.

The Official Result

Adam Meskini def. Tiziano Ferranti R2 4:56 via TKO (Knee and Punches)

Paulina Wisniewska (126) vs. Jessica Cunha (124.8)

Round 1

One women’s bout takes place in Brussels tonight, and it is about to happen. Poland’s Wisniewska (5-0, 3-0 PFL) aims to keep her unbeaten record intact at the expense of Brazilian Cunha (9-4, 0-0 PFL) at 125 pounds. The Octagon ranger of this match is referee Jean-Philippe Carboni. There is no glove touch, as Wisniewska is a woman on a mission. Both women meet in the middle and throw hands, until Wisniewska blasts Cunha in the face with a kick. Cunha wobbles and backs up to lean on the fence to keep herself afloat, and Wisniewska rushes at her to take her back and drag her to the canvas. The Polish woman batters Cunha with quick, merciless punches, and Carboni is aware of the action and paying very close attention. Wisniewska slows down, hunting for an opening for a choke, and the Brazilian hangs on tight.

Wisniewska maintains dominant back control without fastening the body triangle, instead bopping Cunha with short, big-sistering punches to the side of the head. Wisniewska uses those punches to open up a rear-naked choke, but she can only wrap her arms around the face. When that does not work, she fastens a body triangle around the waist and pummels Cunha from either side. Wisniewska hammerfists Cunha repeatedly to any open target, and she slips a forearm under the chin this time. “So Na Manha” knows her goose is cooked, and her face turns as red as Wisniewska’s fight gear. Before long, Cunha surrenders. Wisniewska remains undefeated as a pro, while registering her first career submission in dominant fashion.

The Official Result

Paulina Wisniewska def. Jessica Cunha R1 4:12 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Jan Cieplowski (135.4) vs. Julien Lopez (136)

Round 1

We have reached the bantamweight tournament portion of the card, with four of the next five matches determining who will reach the semifinals of this $100,000 grand prix. Cieplowski (8-0, 0-0 PFL), the heaviest betting favorite of the four tourney tilts tonight at around -500, is looking to keep that spotless record intact. He tangles with “Boyka” Lopez (7-4-1, 1-1 PFL), who walks out to Linkin Park’s “Faint.” The referee of this encounter will be Dan Movahedi. They rush towards one another to touch gloves, and Cieplowski gets right after it. The unbeaten fighter whips a low kick out, and Lopez replies in kind. They measure one another with inaccurate leg kicks, and Cieplowski bounces to and fro directly in front of his opponent. Lopez tosses out a naked leg kick, and Cieplowski counters with a right hand that sends Lopez hurtling to the mat. Lopez gathers his thoughts, defends the ground strikes, and powers back to his feet, his legs back beneath him already. Lopez chases the Polish fighter around the cage, and Cieplowski plants his feet and nails Lopez with a three-punch combo. Lopez practically runs at him as Cieplowski is evasive as can be, and he reels from a body shot and whiffs on haymakers. Cieplowski works the body and head while staying out of range of counters.

Lopez reaches at the end of a left hook, and he tries to counter a Cieplowski low kick but only gets part of it off. Lopez takes a right hand when coming forward, and Cieplowski times three more that get Lopez’ attention. Cieplowski blasts Lopez with a left hand, and Lopez hits the deck a second time. The French fighter absorbs an elbow and still musters enough energy to jump back to his feet. Cieplowski is on him in a second, driving home one final, punctuating combination that knocks Lopez to the floor for the third time. Movahedi has seen more than enough, even though there is no such thing as a three-knockdown rule in MMA. Lopez appears a bit upset by the stoppage, while Cieplowski is over the moon and leaps atop the cage to pose before running into the crowd to embrace the Polish contingent in the building. He is the first of four men to advance tonight, and the others may have their hands full when facing him in a few months.

The Official Result

Jan Cieplowski def. Julien Lopez R1 3:43 via TKO (Punches)

Anas Azizoun (136) vs. Gustavo Oliveira (135.4)

Round 1

There are no other undefeated fighters in the rest of the bracket, but the next bout may be no less violent as it comes between bantamweight quarterfinalists as a classic battle of France vs. Brazil. Azizoun (5-1, 0-0 PFL) is the local man of the two, while “Heart” Oliveira (10-2, 0-0 PFL) is all heart, and he represents Portugal as well as his home country of Brazil tonight. Referee Rich Mitchell is on call. They touch gloves, and “The Drowner” moves to the center of the cage and lets fly a low kick. He slips out of the way to avoid the worst of a side kick aimed low, dodging a punch combination but taking a stomping kick to the knee. Oliveira kicks him from behind his own leg, and unleashes a hellacious right hand that sends Azizoun crashing to the mat. Oliveira pounces, getting off some ground-and-pound including a thudding elbow. Azizoun clings to the man from Brazil to slow down his onslaught, and Oliveira taps his fingers impatiently on the floor—not a submission, just a power move—until he can free himself. Azizoun kicks off the chest to make Oliveira back off, and he gets back to his feet. The Frenchman chases down Oliveira, jabbing to the head and body. Oliveira swings and misses with a left hand, and he tumbles to the mat when winging a spinning wheel kick that goes wide. He gets right back up, and keeps his guard up from oncoming fire.

Oliveira surges forward behind a left hand, and he blasts Azizoun with a nasty right hand. Azizoun stays on his feet, and Oliveira showboats by motioning that he is reloading his right hand to launch another bomb. He does just that after getting clipped, and Azizoun gathers his thoughts and lays into Oliveira with a powerful low kick. Oliveira parries a spinning back kick and grins, as if he knows something that we don’t. When Azizoun closes in, “Heart” times a blazing spinning elbow flush on the temple that completely separates the French fighter from his consciousness. Azizoun is out before he hits the canvas, and Oliveira just stands over and looks at the fallen fighter, impressed by his own handiwork. He strides off, flexing, and is all smiles. The medical officials tend to the wrecked Azizoun, who manages to sit up and has to be informed what just transpired. So far, so good on this PFL Europe bantamweight tourney.

The Official Result

Gustavo Oliveira def. Anas Azizoun R1 3:25 via KO (Spinning Back Elbow)

Nicolas Di Franco (155.8) vs. Catalin Safta (155.6)

Round 1

Taking a break from the comically violent bantamweight tourney, lightweights take the stage. Di Franco (10-4-1, 0-0 PFL) reps Belgium, and he is quite a popular man in the building right now. He throws down with unwelcome adversary Safta (6-3, 0-1 PFL), who is showered with boos. They will be overseen by Axel Vankimmenade, and when they come together, there is no glove touch. The two get right after it, trading punches one after the other. Neither man lands cleanly as they find their way towards one another, but their workrate is already high. Di Franco explodes in pursuit of a takedown, and when he wrangles Safta to the mat, he partially takes his back. Safta scoots to the wall to defend the back take, and he trips Di Franco up to force a scramble. The ensuing commotion results in a brief clinch, and Di Franco connects with a solid elbow. Safta punches back, and absorbs a knee to the body for his effort.

Di Franco walks into a right hand when trying another knee, and he shoots in for a takedown and is kneed in the chest for trying. Safta winds up and dings Di Franco with an overhand right, and he clips him a second time. A third right hand from the Swiss fighter puts Di Franco down, and Di Franco pops back up and pursues a double-leg takedown. Safta tries to turn the tables with his own takedown, and he finds himself in submission danger. He wriggles his head out, and he rips a kick to the ribcage. Safta lets his hands fly with 20 seconds left in the round, connecting a few more times on the Belgian to solid effect. He crowds Di Franco, stringing together a combination of punches and kicks until the horn forces them to stop fighting for a minute.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Safta
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Safta
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Safta

Round 2

Di Franco wants to pay Safta back for the damage he sustained in the first round, roaring forward behind attacks. Safta uses that aggression against him, putting him on his seat with a quick reactive double. Di Franco works his way back slowly upright, where he pushes out a sharp jab and a slapping leg kick. The Belgian dodges looping hooks, avoiding a body kick as well to reset. Di Franco aims another body kick, and he falls over awkwardly as if he may have suffered an injury. Safta leaps on top of him, taking his back and immediately hunting for a rear-naked choke. Di Franco fights the hands to defend the submission, and he keeps himself safe by not letting them go beneath his chin. Safta gets his hooks in and tries for another choke, but he cannot get it.

Di Franco scrambles like a madman, forcing the two back to their feet, and he pushes forward to take the fight down on his own terms. Dumping the Swiss man on his back, Di Franco hacks with elbows when getting there. Di Franco works to half guard and considers setting up an arm-triangle choke, only to abandon it so he can keep elbowing to decent effect. Safta occasionally strikes back, but many of his shots land to the back of the head as Vankimmenade warns him of this. Di Franco continues his methodical bombardment of elbows, looking to pass guard several times along the way. Briefly taking Safta’s back, Di Franco allows Safta to spin around before the horn toots.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Di Franco
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Di Franco
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Di Franco

Round 3

They clap hands to start off the last round, as chants in favor of Di Franco predictably echo in the building in Brussels. They trade low kicks early, and Safta’s pops off the cup and makes the audible sound of contact. There is no pause whatsoever, as Di Franco goes for a takedown. When Di Franco lets it go, he plants a left hand on the chin that stuns the Swiss man. Di Franco flicks out his jab, dodging and weaving the labored punches coming his way. He swipes out with a right hook, and he is out of range when counters fly. Safta splits the guard with one punch, and he gets caught up top with a surprise left hand. Safta shoots for a takedown, and Di Franco turns it against him and completes a single-leg takedown.

Safta on his side, Di Franco looks to wrench his hand free so he can secure the back. Safta crawls towards the wall to relieve some pressure on him, and Di Franco stays heavy as can be while rapping him with left hands around the guard. Vankimmenade asks for them to do more, as they are slowing down a bit, so Di Franco obliges him with knees to the thigh of his opponent. Safta uses the fence to fight back up, and he knees the body and gets Di Franco’s attention. Safta unleashes a flurry of punches, ending the attack with a knee that busts up Di Franco’s nose. Di Franco pushes forward, walking into a punch so he can club Safta with his own right hand. Safta, possibly hurt from the strike, clinches up and leans on the Belgian. The two break off and throw hands, until Di Franco tries to get a body lock and end the fight on top. Safta will not allow it, willing himself on his feet and just evading an elbow. Safta’s final attack of a head kick narrowly misses the mark, and we go to the scorecards for the first time tonight.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Di Franco (29-28 Di Franco)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Di Franco (29-28 Di Franco)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Di Franco (29-28 Di Franco)

The Official Result

Catalin Safta def. Nicolas Di Franco via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

Mahio Campanella (135.6) vs. Matiss Zaharovs (135.6)

Round 1

Back to the bantamweight tournament we go, with the winner of this match taking on Oliveira later this year. This will be the last chance for France to be represented in the semifinals, as Campanella (7-1, 1-0 PFL) remains its lone representative remaining. Zaharovs (7-3, 1-1 PFL) would like to spoil that party. Referee Philip Vanheusden will receive the assignment for the third of four tourney battles this evening. They touch gloves, and hand-fight their way towards one another. Campanella thumps his foe’s body with an early kick, and he goes low to the lead leg as well. Zaharovs clubs Campanella in the side of the melon as Campanella shoots for a takedown, and Zaharovs is able to defend it by putting the wall behind him. As Zaharovs leans over, Campanella considers a standing guillotine choke. Zaharovs abandons his position and gets to striking range, before crashing forward for his own takedown. He succeeds in bullying the French fighter to the wall, working him to the body with is free left hand. Zaharovs backs off to reset, and a low kick slaps off his thigh. Zaharovs attacks high with a kick, and Campanella lets him have it with a spinning kick to the side.

Zaharovs changes stances after absorbing the kick, and he goes to work kicking Campanella’s front leg. Campanella tries two body kicks, and he eats a standing back fist that wobbles his legs. He springs up and gets ushed to the wall, taking an elbow up top and a punch to the ribcage before splitting. Campanella chops at the front leg, appears to get dinged with a straight right but continues his pursuit of a takedown. Zaharovs does not go down, again using the wall as his adversary. Campanella gathers a full head of steam and leaps at Zaharovs with a flying switch knee that blasts him on the chin. Zaharovs hits the canvas, and Campanella leaps on him to take his back and get hold of a rear-naked choke. Zaharovs shimmies and wriggles Campanella off his back, putting the French fighter on his back, but not completely out of danger. Campanella considers a triangle choke, but when that fails, he is able to stand up along with his opponent. He tries a spinning crescent kick up high, and it is blocked as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Campanella
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Campanella
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Campanella

Round 2

There is a clap of hands to get going from the bantamweights, who are again ready to engage. Zaharovs connects first with a side kick to the chest, and Campanella answers with an Andy Hug-style spinning low kick. Campanella follows it with a takedown shot, and Zaharovs staves it off and pushes him back. Zaharovs jabs the body and takes a kick much heavier to his own midsection. Campanella spins with a back kick to the abdomen, wings a right hand and gets tied up by the Latvian fighter. Zaharovs scrambles furiously to take Campanella to the mat from the side, where he unloads with short but emphatic left hands. The thumping strikes continue to land for Zaharovs, who has Campanella on his knees stuck against the fence. Campanella works his way upright despite under fire, and he takes a left on the chin on his way out. Campanella swats out with a right hand and a low kick, and he stutter-steps to draw out a reaction from his opponent. They trade body kicks, and Campanella ducks a leaping punch to dip under and take Zaharovs’ back standing.

Campanella uses the body lock around the waist from behind to drop Zaharovs to a knee, and when he cannot keep him there, he tries a spinning elbow on the break. It misses by a hair. They trade jabs, and Campanella follows one with a scooping uppercut. Campanella strides forward, spinning with a crisp elbow that pounds Zaharovs on the side of the head. Unlike the fight earlier in the tourney, Zaharovs does not get smoked, although he is pushed on his back immediately thereafter. Campanella hangs on tight in order to keep Zaharovs on his back, climbing up and down to try to get to a dominant position. He manages to work his way to side control, where he grinds his elbow on the Latvian’s face and drives it down a few times. The moment Zaharovs gets to his feet, Campanella hits a mat return. Taking Zaharovs’ back standing, he hangs onto it and does not fall off until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Campanella
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Campanella
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Campanella

Round 3

The bantamweights reach the third round, and they are loaded for bear. Zaharovs reintroduces himself with a head kick and a few peppering low kicks. Campanella boots him back in the ribs, and he spins with a kick when Zaharovs crashes the pocket in pursuit of a single-leg takedown. The Frenchman puts the chain-link fence behind him before hitting a throw that dumps Zaharovs to the mat. Zaharovs is quick to get upright again, and he ignores a head kick that bops him on the noggin on the break. He surges forward behind flying fists, and Campanella potshots him with kicks high and low. Zaharovs tackles Campanella to the floor, landing on top and positioning himself in half guard. Campanella does not stop moving, turning to his knees but inadvertently giving up his back. Zaharovs gladly accepts it, wrapping both hooks around the sides. Campanella uses the television screen above to see where he can punch Zaharovs from behind his own head, and Zaharovs sees an opening and grips hold of a rear-naked choke.

It remains on the chin, and it is a tight squeeze that starts to change the shade of Campanella’s head. Campanella remains calm and hand-fights to get out of the choke, only for Zaharovs to punch him a few times to soften him up on the other side. Campanella rolls from side to side in hopes of escaping or thwarting submission setups, and this only allows Zaharovs to sink in the body triangle. As Campanella twists, he breaks up the body lock and gets to his knees. Putting the wall behind him, Campanella stands up, and he looks for a trip to get things down again. The Frenchman is able to circle around in an attempt to drag Zaharovs from behind, but Zaharovs’ balance is solid now. In fact, Zaharovs’ defense gives him the opportunity to put Campanella on his face, drilling him with right hands. Campanella stands up, and Zaharovs lashes out with two punches before time expires. They hug it out right after their match concludes, with the awaiting opponent of Oliveira grinning while watching the fight from outside the cage.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Zaharovs (29-28 Campanella)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Zaharovs (29-28 Campanella)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Zaharovs (29-28 Campanella)

The Official Result

Mahio Campanella def. Matiss Zaharovs via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Dean Garnett (135.6) vs. Tuomas Gronvall (133.1)

Round 1

The last tournament bout tonight kicks off between Britain’s Garnett (12-3-1, 0-1 PFL) and “The Tank Engine” Gronvall (12-8-1, 0-1 PFL) for the opportunity to throw down with Cieplowski from earlier tonight. The bantamweights will be joined in the cage by referee Jean-Philippe Carboni. They touch gloves. They clap hands, and Garnett says hello with an overhand right that knocks Gronvall back a few steps. Gronvall responds with a calf kick as he circles on the outside, while Garnett has his right hand cocked back and ready for bear. He lands one more, and lets Gronvall keep moving so he can dart in with a left hand. He follows it with a takedown setup, but abandons it when the Finnish fighter stands his ground. They trade hands, with Garnett getting the better of the exchange. Gronvall shoots in for a takedown, and Garnett shifts to the side to keep Gronvall stuck on his knees. The Brit knees the body hard, and he lets Gronvall stand up so he can slug him in the face. Gronvall shoots deep for a double, and Garnett defends with a strong guillotine choke. Garnett cinches the legs around the waist and grips the choke with all his might, and Gronvall is tough as can be as his face turns a shade of red similar to Garnett’s shorts. Gronvall issues a thumbs-up to Carboni, and he softens the body up with his free right hand.

Gronvall, calm as a cucumber, pops his head out of the submission, and he slowly postures up to deliver a strike or two from above. Garnett twists to get off of his back and to his knees, leaning against the fence while Gronvall imposes his weight on him from the side. Gronvall uses a grip around Garnett’s neck to wrestle him down without actually trying for a submission, and he clings to the Brit to hold on until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garnett
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Garnett
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Garnett

Round 2

The fighters nod at one another and bump fists to get going. Gronvall comes up short on a low kick, and Garnett plods forward but does not engage. They kick at the same time, and Gronvall tries for a takedown that does not go anywhere. When they swing punches simultaneously, Garnett is forced to defend another takedown. He pushes the Finnish man away and jabs him to the body. Gronvall pitches a single kick, and he ducks an overhand right and clips Garnett with a short right hand of his own. Garnett wings his big right hand again, and once more, Gronvall beats him to the punch and jabs to the head and midsection. When Gronvall pursues his takedown, Garnett turns to the side and wrenches Gronvall to his knees. Garnett knees Gronvall on the side of the head a few times—legally, as Gronvall only has his hands on the mat—and Gronvall decides to go down so he will not get tagged again.

Garnett flows with Gronvall to hang on to his back from the side, with only one hook in and a free left hand landing shots. Gronvall posts off the floor to get upright despite Garnett clinging to him from behind. Garnett uses his weight to drag Gronvall down from behind, and Gronvall turns to sit down before bouncing off of it to stand. The Finnish fighter pushes out his jab, measuring Garnett for his uppercut. Garnett ducks down and beans Gronvall with an overhand right, and he hurls another that is labored as can be. Garnett’s arms may be tired, but he attacks a double and pushes Gronvall to the fence. Gronvall remains on his feet, splits off and takes a right hand on the chin. Garnett shoots, going all the way down to the mat without getting it. Instead, Gronvall is able to push him to his back, climbing into half guard to ride out the rest of the round. As he gets to three-quarter mount, the horn sounds, and he smacks Garnett with an elbow right in the nick of time.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Garnett
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Garnett
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Garnett

Round 3

The fighters high-five and embrace to kick off the final frame. Gronvall comes out swinging, and he is met with a leaping punch coming back his direction. Garnett puts everything he has into lumbering fists, and Gronvall is able to shake them off and give the Brit back his own offense. Gronvall doubles up on a left hand and stops a takedown entry from Garnett. Gronvall catches Garnett at the end of a left hand, damaging Garnett’s nose in the process. They tie up in the middle of the cage, delivering short shots to one another as they try to set something better up. Gronvall pushes Garnett to the wall and suddenly is dropped on his face as Garnett hurls him to the floor with raw horsepower. Gronvall stands, and Garnett grabs him from behind and drags him back down. Gronvall looks to turn to get out of the back take, reaching top position and thumping Garnett on the ribs with elbows.

Gronvall smothers Garnett by keeping his chest heavily pressed on top, dropping down elbow after elbow. Gronvall flirts with a submission, but there is nothing to it, so he keeps hammering slowly but methodically. Gronvall is warned for striking the back of the head as he beats on the Brit, who appears out of gas or out of answers as seconds peel off the clock. Gronvall punches the body with one hand and elbows the face with the other, until Garnett kicks him off. Garnett wings upkicks until Gronvall climbs back into top position, where the Brit takes one last fierce elbow before the bell. Both men collapse to the floor in exhaustion when the bout concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gronvall (29-28 Garnett)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Gronvall (29-28 Garnett)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Gronvall (29-28 Garnett)

The Official Result

Dean Garnett def. Tuomas Gronvall via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Ibragim Ibragimov (145.9) vs. Mathys Duragrin (145.8)

Round 1

The four bantamweight quarterfinals from the PFL Europe tournament are in the books, so now the promotion has seven more fights left to go today. The first of the remainder comes at featherweight between two unbeaten fighters. Ibragimov (9-0, 3-0 PFL) reps Dagestan and Manchester, England, while Duragrin (4-0, 1-0 PFL) smoothly sings his way to the cage with a French pianist playing his walkout song on the loudspeakers. Joining them will be referee Dan Movahedi. They do not touch ‘em up. Ibragimov whiffs on an introductory body kick, switching stances back and forth as he moves forward. The Russian kicks from both legs high and low, and he fires off a one-two and a sticking left hand. When Ibragimov surges forward with a knee that connects square on the chin, Duragrin shakes it off and breaks away. Ibragimov is on him, popping him with a one-two before taking his back on the feet. Ibragimov tries for a body lock throw, and his second, a near-suplex, puts them both on the mat for a moment. Duragrin climbs back up, and Ibragimov is still hanging into him looking for trips. Duragrin thumps Ibragimov up with elbows to the side of the head, and Ibragimov laces his legs beneath Duragrin’s to triangle them a la Khabib Nurmagomedov. Ibragimov sits up to open up some strikes, and he climbs into the mount as Duragrin is warned for grabbing his gloves. Ibragimov frames off the face to let loose with a fierce elbow.

Duragrin gets to a knee, and Ibragimov knees him in the posterior to make him think twice about this strategy. Ibragimov circles around to complete the back take with two minutes left in the round, and he gets both hooks in. Duragrin is once more warned for grabbing his foe’s gloves, and in the process, he is flattened out for a moment by Ibragimov. The Russian laces up a body triangle and squeezes his legs tight, fishing for a choke that is not yet available. He settles for left hands to the body and head, when not putting his hand on Duragrin’s mouth to restrict his breathing. Ibragimov positions himself to strike with 12-to-6 elbows, and Duragrin is quick to counter with a leglock that Ibragimov escapes by grabbing the fence and pulling hard on it. Duragrin lays on his back for the remainder of the round, as Ibragimov lashes out with hard right hands to wrap up the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Ibragimov
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov

Round 2

Ibragimov practically sprints out of his corner to engage, and Duragrin is promptly warned for outstretched fingers pointed towards his target. Ibragimov backs off a moment to measure a head kick before shooting for a takedown. Duragrin breaks the grip, but the body lock of Ibragimov is too strong and too effective to stop at this juncture. He hurls the Frenchman to the floor, where he controls him and lands a few strikes from above. Duragrin tries and fails to wall-walk several times, and he even pursues a counter takedown that puts him into guillotine choke danger. Ibragimov cranks the submission and turns Duragrin’s neck at an uncomfortable angle, but he releases it when there is no tap about to come.

Duragrin gets to his seat, but Ibragimov is on him like a cheap suit, not relenting. Ibragimov knees the Frenchman in the ribs a few times, and Duragrin grimaces and wills himself back to his feet. Ibragimov races after him targeting the body with impunity, kicking, kneeing and punching it as soon as he can. He uses the body kick to open up a takedown, tripping Duragrin up and putting him back on his seat against the wire. Ibragimov laces his legs around Duragrin’s to trap him, and the latter is warned for grabbing the cage to reposition himself. Ibragimov smothers his foe, and Movahedi asks for more than that. Ibragimov obliges with knees to the body until, again, Duragrin is able to explode to his feet. Ibragimov follows after him and spins with a back kick to the groin that is uncalled, and he barely dodges a spinning back elbow. Ibragimov shoots in for a takedown and bangs his head into Duragrin’s, and he gives the Frenchman a spinning back elbow to think about as well. Ibragimov tosses out a head kick, Duragrin showboats when dodging it, and the round ends with Movahedi telling Ibragimov to watch his fingers.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov

Round 3

They touch gloves as they reach the last round, and Duragrin measures out jab after jab. Ibragimov responds with a front kick or two, and Duragrin punches out a straight right to follow one. Ibragimov is warned for his outstretched fingers loudly, and he does not close his fists unless swinging them. Ibragimov kicks low and then spins with a hook kick, and Duragrin takes them well and prepares himself to defend the oncoming takedown. With Duragrin able to keep himself on his feet, he takes an elbow on the brow when breaking off. Ibragimov walks him down and uppercuts him cleanly, swaying to dodge a one-two down the pipe. Ibragimov pushes off with a front kick and a right hand that sets up a double, but Duragrin is wise to the attempt.

Ibragimov starts talking to people sitting outside of the cage, and he stabs a front kick to the body, spins with a wheel kick and then spins again with one to the midsection. All of these twists set up another double for the Russian, who jams Duragrin to the wall but no further. Ibragimov abandons the effort and drills Duragrin with an elbow, and he gives chase when Duragrin resets. Ibragimov dips to rip a left to the liver and a right over the top, and he sprawls miraculously and actually pushes his feet off the fence in what the commentary booth coins a “super sprawl.” Ibragimov takes the back after his terrific sprawl, looking for a face crank that he squeezes with all his remaining might. Duragrin toughs it out and turns towards the fence to take some of the power out of it, and makes his way to his feet with seconds left. Both appear to land something at or after the bell, but they do not have any ill will as they go the distance. They do get a little chippy in a post-fight conversation, but officials are there to keep things under control.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov (30-27 Ibragimov)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov (30-26 Ibragimov)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Ibragimov (30-27 Ibragimov)

The Official Result

Ibragim Ibragimov def. Mathys Duragrin via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Movsar Ibragimov (135.8) vs. Gerardo Fanny (134.9)

Round 1

From one undefeated Ibragimov to another we go, this Ibragimov (6-0, 0-0 PFL) a hometown favorite. He squares off with an athlete in Fanny (14-4, 0-0 PFL) from the Dutch Antilles, a Caribbean nation that has not produced many MMA fighters as of late. The bantamweights will compete under the oversight of referee Rich Mitchell, and they share a sporting glove touch to get going. Fanny walks forward through a low kick to push out his jab, and a right hand from him sends Ibragimov back a few steps, Ibragimov responds with a power punch, only to get caught with a left hook that scrambles him briefly. Ibragimov regains his footing and flicks out a few jabs, connecting a couple leg kicks to them. Fanny charges in, taking a right hand as he throws his own left. They both swing at the same time, and the crowd is energized as can be. Fanny takes a head kick and rifles off a left hand that drops the Belgian. Ibragimov jumps back to his feet, blocks a head kick, and stumbles again. Swelling develops quickly under his eye, and he shoots for a desperate takedown. Fanny hops around on one leg until his balance is stripped away, and he is dumped on his back. Ibragimov takes his time when establishing top position, getting to half guard and only striking a few times with the point of his elbow.

Ibragimov stays tightly pressed chest-to-chest to control his opponent, but it is not enough to stop Fanny from getting to a knee for a moment. Ibragimov pulls him back to his seat and down, where he imposes his weight once more. He continues to grind out the kickboxer, shrugging off any sporadic offense offered his way. Ibragimov sits up to get off a few punches, and Fanny is warned for grabbing the fence. The methodical ground control continues for Ibragimov until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Fanny
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Fanny
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Fanny

Round 2

Both men show battle damage from the first round, and they meet with a glove touch. Ibragimov sits down on a right hand as Fanny advances towards him, and Fanny is able to wrap his foot upside Ibragimov’s head. Ibragimov bounces away from a jumping kick that makes Fanny hit the floor, and Fanny climbs up right into a defensive takedown posture. He defends it well and lets Ibragimov have it with another flying knee, this one scoring. Fanny tries to fly more, and Ibragimov bowls him over and gets the takedown he was seeking. Fanny wraps up a guillotine choke when hitting the mat, but this is the worst possible strategy he can have for a savvy submission practitioner like Ibragimov. The Belgian sets up a counter Von Preux shoulder choke, using Fanny’s guillotine against him by keeping him trapped in the choke as pressure is applied to his neck. Ibragimov exerts so much pressure that blood squirts out from the wound on Fanny’s head, and a shocked Fanny taps out. The victorious Ibragimov climbs the cage and hits a beautiful back flip off it in celebration, and Ibragimovs are now 2-0 tonight while Belgians have their first win to cheer about.

The Official Result

Movsar Ibragimov def. Gerardo Fanny R2 1:42 via Submission (Shoulder Choke)

Khamzat Abaev (170.6) vs. Chequina Noso Pedro (169.4)

Round 1

The given name of Khamzat is so hot right now, and another undefeated man sharing that name is about to set foot in the cage. The Belgian’s record is currently under review by the Fight Finder team, and he may soon have another victory added to his ledger. For now, Abaev (4-0, 0-0 PFL) holds with this record, and he faces Angola’s Pedro (9-4, 0-1 PFL) in what should be an entertaining welterweight clash. They greet to touch gloves with referee Philip Vanheusden watching on. They clap hands to begin. Abaev ducks from side to side as he slowly works forward, shrugging off a leg kick to lunge with two hooks. Pedro boots him in the face with the ball of his foot, and Abaev shrugs at him nonchalantly. They jab at one another from far away, and Abaev reaches his target with a one-two that gets blocked. Pedro comes up just short of another front kick aimed high, and Abaev blitzes and misses with his left hook. Pedro plants a low kick on the calf, and his guard is raised in time to block the head kick fired his way. Pedro does not score with a spinning kick, as Abaev slides to the side and gets him with a right hand. He lands another, catching Pedro on the way out. Seeing that success, Abaev winds up with his right hook, driving Pedro back. He stumbles Pedro with another, and tags him with a front kick.

Pedro keeps moving and does not stay a stationary target, and he blasts the leg with a hard kick and is countered with an overhand right. Pedro wipes his eye when Abaev jabs him, and his guard is split with a right down the middle after taking a firm low kick. Pedro thumbs the body with a kick, and he ducks down to take Abaev down from an odd angle. Abaev works to the cage and tries to counter-throw the Angola native to the mat. Pedro keeps himself upright and presses tightly on his opponent. Pedro drives a knee to the body and works the thigh on the back, pressuring the unbeaten fighter as Vanheusden claps at them for more action. Abaev wriggles out, and Pedro ducks under to drag Abaev to his seat. Abaev rolls through it, and Pedro follows him all the way with him and upright as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Abaev
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Abaev
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Abaev

Round 2

The welterweights cautiously work towards one another as the round begins, pitching out strikes out of range to get their reads. Abaev lunges with an uppercut, and when that does not connect, he spins with a back kick to the body that does. He lashes out with an overhand right, and Pedro cracks him with his own that makes Abaev hop back. Abaev prepares step-in knees to defend from Pedro’s advancing, and he reaches out with a right hand. Pedro spins with a clean wheel kick that bangs into the chest, and he rushes in and makes Abaev stumble despite Abaev tossing out two left hooks. Abaev unloads a right hand, and Pedro’s nose starts leaking. Abaev drops his hands and works his way into get off a few punches, and Pedro does not bite on much. Abaev steps in with a vertical elbow, and they both launch head kicks at one another. Abaev lands a right hand, catches a kick and rips a right to the body.

Abaev keeps moving in unconventional ways, and he slips and dodges the worst of what comes his way. Pedro shoots in for a takedown, wrapping his arms around the Belgian and getting him to a knee. Abaev gets back up, his lead leg welted and swollen badly, and Pedro leans on him with knee after knee. Abaev gets free, lands a punch or two, and is forced to defend a double-leg entry flying fast towards him. Pedro scoops Abaev up and puts him down on the mat with emphasis, remaining in top control while thinking about a choke from on top. Abaev kicks him off, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pedro
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Pedro
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Pedro

Round 3

They clap hands to engage, and as they are about to strike, Abaev signals to Vanheusden that some tape has come loose. It is pulled off, and they get to fighting. Abaev sticks out his jab to keep Pedro from coming after him, and he wraps a right hand around the guard. Pedro hits the lead leg hard, and he hits the floor. Bouncing back up before Abaev can get to him, he gets back to beating down the front leg. Abaev lunges, his head kick blocked, and Pedro answers with a spinning wheel kick. Pedro then shoots for a takedown, and Abaev stuffs it and delivers a slew of body shots. Pedro scores a body kick, and a second effort is met with a left hook. Pedro closes in to take the fight down, and Abaev stands him up with three punches and an uppercut at the end. Abaev drops his hands, and Pedro dives after a single that he uses to wrestle Abaev to the mat.

Abaev hits his knees, with Pedro quick to get behind him clubbing him upside the head with his left hand. Pedro hooks his leg around Abaev’s to keep him trapped, and he bludgeons Abaev with a series of left hands including some that land on the back of the head. Abaev turns to force Pedro to hit him in the back of the head a few times, and he explodes to get up but Pedro’s weight keeps him stuck. Pedro wraps up an anaconda choke, and Abaev bursts out to stand up and reset. The Belgian hurls a right and a left, but both are blocked. Pedro drills his man in the torso as he races after him for a takedown. Abaev wings an elbow, and a spinning back kick to the body hits Pedro in the groin. Pedro adjusts his cup as Vanheusden briefly calls time, but he needs a second or two and is fine. Pedro chops down the front leg of his foe, who is struggling to put full weight on it, and he shoots for a double. With a slam, Pedro throws Abaev to the floor, and he tries to rain down strikes as time elapses. Abaev then performs a back flip, while Pedro briefly leaves the cage to go over to talk to the commentators. It could go either way, but it is an eye-opening performance for the unbeaten Abaev.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Pedro (29-28 Pedro)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Pedro (29-28 Pedro)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Pedro (29-28 Pedro)

The Official Result

Chequina Noso Pedro def. Khamzat Abaev via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Boris Mbarga Atangana (205.3) vs. Bruno Santos (204.8)

Round 1

The biggest fight of tonight comes at 205 pounds, as Belgium’s Atangana (5-0, 0-0 PFL) tries to get the crowd pumped up. He will face a Portuguese opponent in Santos (3-3, 0-0 PFL) who gives as hard as he gets. Referee Axel Vankimmenade will be the cage commander for the next 15 minutes or less. They share an extremely intense staredown in the cage. With all that, they do not touch gloves. Atangana sprints out of his corner and blasts through his foe’s hips to hit a double, and he puts Santos on his back in a hurry. Atangana rains down wild hammerfists as Santos turns, and he wraps up an anaconda choke and turns Santos to his back. Atangana lets it go and starts beating Santos down with punches, flattening the Portugal native out and smashing him with his mighty fists. Santos is already out of options as he shells up under fire, and Atangana keeps raining them down until Vankimmenade rescues Santos from further harm. The crowd erupts in favor of the Belgian, who leaps on top of the cage to drink it in before jumping into the audience to celebrate with them.

The Official Result

Boris Mbarga Atangana def. Bruno Santos R1 0:56 via TKO (Punches)

Gaetano Pirrello (145.8) vs. Salvatore Liga (145.9)

Round 1

It’s Belgium on Belgium violence for this “featured fight of the night.” Former UFC fighter Pirrello (16-7-1, 0-0 PFL) wants to go on his first win streak since 2019, and he will have to ruin the undefeated record of countryman Liga (5-0, 0-0 PFL) to get there. Referee Jean-Philippe Carboni draws the charge for this featherweight contest, and he steps back as the fighters rush towards one another without a fist bump in sight. Liga hurls a right and a left to get Pirrello’s attention early, and he crashes forward for a single. Pirrello puts his back to the wall to defend the effort, and he takes a knee that is very close to his groin on his inner thigh. Pirrello takes a few knees to the body before turning the less-experienced fighter to the fencing. Pirrello grinds his head on Liga’s, blasting him with an uppercut and a ferocious knee that hurts Liga, but Liga manages to survive it and hit a takedown. Pirrello bounces off his seat to stand, and they jockey for position while trading knees until Pirrello gets away. Pirrello scores a solid low kick that messes up Liga’s balance, and he dodges a looping left hand to plant another leg kick home. He follows that with a big right hand, and Liga answers with a spinning kick to the ribs. Pirrello catches him with a right hand, and Liga shoots.

Pirrello breaks out of the takedown effort, and they rip knees at one another until Liga trips and hits his back. Liga fires off upkicks to the chest and knees until Pirrello backs away to force Liga back to his feet. The low kick offered from Pirrello draws a reaction out of his opponent, and he drills Liga with another crisp uppercut. Liga drops, and “El Tigre” snatches up a power guillotine front choke on his way down. Liga rolls, Pirrello follows him through it, and the choke transforms to a ninja choke as he wraps it up as tight as a drum. Liga, his neck in a precarious position while oxygen and blood flow is deprived to his brain, has nothing left to do but surrender. Pirrello lets it go as Liga falls to his back, and he hovers over his fallen opponent and flips him the double bird. Liga recognizes the crude gestures and is incensed, shoving Pirrello off of him. A post-fight brawl very nearly develops, but Carboni and other officials are able to break it up before it goes anywhere.

The Official Result

Gaetano Pirello def. Salvatore Liga R1 3:22 via Submission (Ninja Choke)

Taylor Lapilus (135.2) vs. Ali Taleb (134.1)

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:

The Official Result

Patrick Habirora (169.5) vs. Danny Roberts (171)

Round 1

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:

Round 2

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:

Round 3

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:

The Official Result