2024 PFL MENA, Global Championships Play-by-Play & Round Scoring

Men’s Middleweight Showcase Bout:
Costello van Steenis vs. Joao Vitor Ramos Dantas

Round 1

Middleweights kick off festivities at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as van Steenis (15-3, 0-0 PFL) puts Dantas (7-1, 0-0 PFL) to the test at 185 pounds. Derek Hickey oversees the action inside the cage. No glove touch. Van Steenis fires a series of kicks to the inside and outside of the Brazilian’s lead leg. Dantas continues to absorb damage to his lower extremities without getting off any offense in return. Suddenly, van Steenis goes high with a devastating head kick, and Dantas is out before he hits the canvas. Spectacular finish to get us started.

The Official Result

Costello van Steenis def. Joao Vitor Ramos Dantas—KO (Head Kick) 0:48 R1

Men’s Featherweight Showcase Bout:
Asael Adjoudj vs. Jose Perez

Round 1

Attention now shifts to the 145-pound weight class, where Adjoudj (8-1, 0-0 PFL) carries an eight-fight winning streak into his confrontation with a former Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder in Perez (9-1, 0-0 PFL). Gerd Richter draws the officiating assignment. Glove touch gets us going. Adoudj working kicks to the legs and body. Perez stalks from the center of the cage. Sharp side kick to the midsection from Adjoudj. Perez struggling to keep pace here. Adjoudj backs up a jab with a back-leg front kick to the body, then shuts down a takedown attempt from the American. They duel in the clinch. Adjoudj powers his counterpart to the ground and sets up shop in top position. Perez threatens with a triangle choke and forced Adjoudj to retreat to his feet. Perez eats a leg kick, closes the distance and shoots on the hips, then drags Adjoudj to the mat with a single-leg. He progresses to the back and secures his position with a body triangle. Perez hunts for the choke, then flirts with a twister setup. Perez moves back to top position. Adjoudj scrambles to his feet and fires a series of knees to the body. They close the round in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Perez

Round 2

Off to the middle stanza we go. Adjoudj greets the American with a spinning back kick to the body. Perez answers with a chopping overhand right, then drives into the clinch. Perez jumps guard and locks in a body triangle, with Adjoudj still standing. Perez drops for a leg lock and eats a few punches before scrambling back to his feet. Perez pushes forward and goes to work on a single-leg. Adjoudj maintains his balance and delivers and elbow to the side of the head. Perez breaks free, fails to protect himself and eats a left hook while walking away. Perez drops Adjoudj with a mean leg kick, pounces and moves to the back, securing the body triangle once more. Ninety seconds to go. Perez works his ground-and-pound, then threatens the choke before peppering his opponent with punches. Perez now in full mount. He drops punches with both hands, then mixes in a few elbows. More punches fall, followed by elbows.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Perez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Perez
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Perez

Round 3

Adjoudj figures to be on fumes at the start of Round 3. They trade punches. Perez marches forward from the center of the cage. He could be a takedown away from putting this fight away. Perez shoots on the hips. Adjoudj snaps down on a guillotine, pulls guard and forces a stunning tapout.

The Official Result

Asael Adjoudj def. Jose Perez—Submission (Guillotine Choke) 1:10 R3

Men’s Featherweight Showcase Bout:
Gabriel Braga vs. Jeremy Kennedy

Round 1

The spotlight remains on the featherweight division, as Braga (14-2, 6-2 PFL) fills in as a short-notice replacement for Jesus Pinedo and toes the line against Jeremy Kennedy (19-4, 2-1 PFL) in a three-round clash at 145 pounds. Keith Peterson administers the law and order. They tap gloves and get down to business. Braga greets the Canadian with a low kick and steps into a jab. Kennedy drives into a double-leg takedown. Braga immediately gets back to his feet. Kennedy goes to work in the clinch and presses his opponent into the fence. Braga shoots a few knees to the legs and a few punches upstairs. Kennedy hunts for openings in close quarters. Braga not cooperating. The Brazilian reverses a takedown attempt and takes top position. Braga threatens with a brabo choke. Kennedy frees himself and moves to a more advantageous position. He stays on the hips but eats a series of elbows to the side of the head. The shots draw blood. They work back to their feet, then separate. Kennedy fires a jab. They trade shots on the feet. Braga connects with a sharp two-punch combo. Jabs from both participants. Braga connects with a right hand over the top and follows up with a body kick. Thirty seconds to go. Braga stonewalls a takedown attempt. Back in the clinch, Kennedy lands an elbow over the top, then swarms with punches.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Braga
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Braga
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Braga

Round 2

Back to business. Sharp leg kick from Braga. Kennedy answers with one of his own. Braga bleeding heavily from the nose. Right hand over the top from the Brazilian. Kennedy flirting with danger here on the feet. He shoots on the hips and drives Braga to the fence. Action stalls. Braga maintains a wide base and uses the cage for additional leverage. Kennedy not having much luck procuring a takedown. They separate. Kennedy immediate shoots, but his efforts fail. He sticks with it and walks Braga to the mat with a body lock, then secures a takedown. Braga builds a base on one knee. Kennedy scores with knees to the thigh. Two minutes to go. Kennedy scrambles behind the Brazilian but cannot corral him. Braga still on one knee at the base of the fence, then gets back to a standing position. Kennedy dumps him to the mat. Braga settles on one knee, avoiding danger, and gets back to his feet again. Kennedy lifts him off his feet and secures a takedown. Braga refuses to stay day. Kennedy closes the round with knees to the thigh and short punches to the head.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kennedy
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Kennedy
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kennedy

Round 3

Anyone’s fight at the start of the third round. Braga takes the center of the cage, bobs, weaves and fires kicks to the leg and body. Kennedy marches forward behind a left hook. The Canadian catches a kick and drives Braga into the fence. Blood still flowing from the Brazilian’s nose. Kennedy giving him no space to operate. They separate briefly, but Kennedy shoots on the hips and forces his opponent back to the fence. Braga digs elbows to the side of the head, then escapes to the center of the cage. Kennedy throws out a few standing elbows and gets back in on the hips. Relentless grappling from the Canadian. Action slows in the clinch and understandably so, with all the energy being exerted by both men. Braga hits the switch and moves behind the Canadian along the fence. Kennedy struggling to free himself. Braga kicks the leg while maintaining a rear waistlock, then scores a belly-to-back takedown with 30 seconds left. Kennedy escapes to the center of the cage, and they finish by hurling punches at one another.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Braga (29-28 Braga)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Braga (29-28 Braga)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Braga (29-28 Braga)

The Official Result

Gabriel Braga def. Jeremy Kennedy—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Men’s Heavyweight Showcase Bout:
Slim Trabelsi vs. Abraham Bably

Round 1

Unbeaten heavyweights are next to the stage, as Trabelsi (7-0, 0-0 PFL) locks horns with Bably (5-0, 2-0 PFL) in a showdown between two of the Professional Fight League’s more promising big men. Basheer Reda serves as the referee. Glove touch, and we are underway. Inside leg kick from Bably. Trabelsi flicks out his jab, then steps into a right hand. Left hand over the top from Bably, who looks light on his feet. Bably connects with a thudding left hook, buckling his opponent’s knees. Leg kick from Bably. They trade left hooks. Trabelsi delivers a sharp body kick but whiffs on a takedown. Nice body kick from Trabelsi. Leg kick from Bably sweeps his opponent off his feet. Trabelsi gets back to a standing position. Bably stalks from the center of the cage, then shuts down a takedown attempt. Trabelsi answers a left hook with an overhand right. Bably definitely the more explosive athlete. One minute to go. Body kick from Trabelsi. They trade hooks. Trabelsi bleeding from a small cut near his right eye. Bably steps into a left hook just before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bably
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bably
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Bably

Round 2

Back to work. Stepping side kick to the body from Bably, who commands the center. Trabelsi steps forward but misfires with a one-two. Bably feints a spinning attack, blocks a head kick and targets the inside of the leg with a sharp kick. Trabelsi skirts the outside of the fence and hunts for openings with his kicks. Not much output from Bably. Short left hook from Trabelsi, followed by a body kick and a jab. They trade low kicks. Bably steps into a left cross and an overhand right. Bably drives his opponent to his knees with a left hook. Trabelsi scrambles out of danger and gets back to his feet, where Bably meets him with a series of overhand lefts. Trabelsi shoots on the hips and secures a takedown, then climbs to full mount. Twenty seconds left. Trabelsi scores with ground-and-pound to close the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bably
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Bably

Round 3

Bably emerges for Round 3 with significant swelling around his right eye. Trabelsi calls upon his jab, as he looks to operate from a safe distance. Leg kick from Bably. Trabelsi answers. Check hook from Bably with his lead hand. Level change from Trabelsi, who shoots hard on the hips. Bably denies him, and they separate. Another effective sprawl from Bably. Pace slows midway through the round. Body kick from Trabelsi, who steps into an overhand right. Bably almost stationary now. Jab from Trabelsi. He shoots on a single-leg and dumps Bably to the canvas. Trouble for the Manchester Top Team rep. Trabelsi works punches to the body from half guard. Ninety seconds to go. Trabelsi considers mount, then settles back into half guard. Body-head punches from Trabelsi. Clearly exhausted, Bably not offering much in terms of meaningful defense. Trabelsi staying active on top to close the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi (29-28 Trabelsi)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi (29-28 Bably)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi (29-28 Bably)

The Official Result

Slim Trabelsi def. Abraham Bably—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Men’s Lightweight Showcase Bout:
Mansour Barnaoui vs. Alfie Davis

Round 1

Action now moves to the lightweight division, where a former M-1 Global and British Association of Mixed Martial Arts champion in Barnaoui (21-6, 0-0 PFL) takes on Davis (17-4-1, 0-0 PFL) at 155 pounds. Reda oversees the action inside the cage. No glove touch. Barnaoui presses forward with his jab. Davis circles off the fence and lands a right hook to the body. Barnaoui crowds Davis with punches from both hands. Davis looks to return fire. Sharp straight left from Davis splits his opponent’s guard. Crisp jab from Barnaoui, who closes the distance and scores with some dirty boxing. Bleeding from the nose, Barnaoui pushes an off-balance Davis to the ground and sets up in full guard. Two minutes left. Barnaoui works his ground-and-pound with short punches, elbows and forearm strikes. He opens a cut on Davis’ left eye brown. Barnaoui continues to score with elbows and punches. Barnaoui passes to side control, though he has little time with which to work.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui

Round 2

They take the center of the cage and trade left hooks. Davis misfires on a jumping switch kick. Jab from Barnaoui. Davis responds with a body kick. He doubles up on his left hook while moving backward. Barnaoui presses forward. Davis sneaks in a head kick. He counters Barnaoui’s pressure with left hooks, then steps into a right hand. Another left hook from Davis, who has been the busier of the two in this round. Left hand over the top from Davis. Barnaoui pressing forward but not throwing much. Davis circles and shoots a left hand over the top. Stepping knee to the body from Davis. Barnaoui clinches with underhooks. Ninety seconds to go. Barnaoui fires knees to the body. Action stalls. More knees from Barnaoui. Davis seems content to lean on the fence and bleed the clock. Might not be a wise decision in what turned into a close round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Davis
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Davis
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Davis

Round 3

Outcome could hang in the balance with this third round. Davis gets active with his kicks, zeroing in on the head and body. Barnaoui connects with a front kick to the body. Davis wisely retreats. Sharp jabs from Davis, who steps into a knee. Barnaoui lands a right hand over the top and follows it with a jab. Right hook from Davis off the back foot. Barnaoui slowing down with roughly three minutes left. Davis circles on the perimeter and ducks into an overhand left. Side kick to the body from Davis. Barnaoui presses forward, grabs the Thai clinch and connects with knees to the body, elbows over the top and short punches. He drags Davis to the mat from behind, locks in a body triangle and snakes his arms into place for the rear-naked choke. Barnaoui tightens his squeeze and prompts the tapout.

The Official Result

Mansour Barnaoui def. Alfie Davis—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 3:41 R3

2024 PFL MENA Men’s Lightweight Championship:
Mohsen Mohammadseifi vs. Georges Eid

Round 1

Moving along, Iran’s Mohammadseifi (6-1, 2-0 PFL) draws Lebanon’s Eid (10-4, 2-0 PFL) in the 155-pound PFL MENA final for $100,000. Hickey draws the officiating assignment. They embrace at the start, then get down to business. Eid fires an inside low kick. Mohammadseifi paws with his jab. Outside leg kick from the Iranian. Eid answers. He follows with a jab. Overhand right from Mohammadseifi touches off a quick burst of violence between the two finalists. Body kick from Eid. Mohammadseifi answers with an inside leg kick, then misfires on an overhand right. Eid circles out of danger and pumps out his jab. Mohammadseifi controls the center. Still coming up short on his punches. Eid lands a check left hook. Mohammadseifi whiffs on an overhand right. Eid paws with his jab. Leg kick into an overhand right from Mohammadseifi. Eid dodges a spinning wheel kick from the Iranian. Methodical pace to start. Eid flicks out his jab, then fires a front kick up the middle. Inside leg kick from Mohammadseifi.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Eid
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Eid
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Eid

Round 2

Action resumes. Eid paws with his jab, looking to exploit his five-inch height and five-inch reach advantages. Mohammadseifi cautious. Inside leg kick from Eid. Mohammadseifi answers. They circle one another on the outside. Inside low kick from Mohammadseifi. Stinging jab from Eid. Mohammadseifi steps into a right cross and narrowly misses the follow-up left hook. Eid connects with a body kicks. Inside low kick from Mohammadseifi. Eid denies a takedown but eats a glancing overhand right for his troubles. Mohammadseifi counters a low kick with an overhand right. Neither man offering much in terms of sustained output, often limiting themselves to one or two strikes at a time. Inside leg kick from Mohammadseifi, who then targets the outside of the leg.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi

Round 3

Neither man has managed to seize the reins, as we start the third round with dueling leg kicks. Eid probes with his jab, then changes levels into a takedown attempt. Mohammadseifi easily defends. Sharp jab from the Iranian. Eid continues to target the legs and body with kicks. Strong kicks to both legs from Mohammadseifi. Eid blocks a spinning back kick to the body. Mohammadseifi steps into a jab to the body. Still largely a single-strike affair. Two front kicks to the body from Eid, who narrowly dodges an overhand right from his opponent. Another leg kick from Eid. They trade leg kick and jabs. Glancing overhand right from Mohammadseifi. Long pause in the action. Eid gets back to business with his jab and body kicks.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Eid
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi

Round 4

We have entered the championship rounds. Eid paws with his jab, then eats a low kick. Leg kick from Mohammadseifi, who fires off quick burst of punches from both hands. Low kick from Eid jars the cup results in a pause to the action. Back at it after Mohammadseifi recovers. They trade kicks. Mohammadseifi counters a leg kick with an overhand right. Left hook from Mohammadseifi at the end of an exchange. The Iranian swarms with power punches for a potential finish. Eid circles out of danger, at least for now. Mohammadseifi pins him to the fence with more punches and flurries again. Hard low kick from the Iranian, who stays disciplined amid all the excitement. Ninety seconds to go in the round. Eid paws with his jab, understandably tentative. Eid fires an overhand right. Flying knee from Eid, who looks to have reclaimed momentum. Mohammadseifi cuts loose with an overhand right near the end of the period.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Mohammadseifi

Round 5

Outcome still very much in doubt at the start of the fifth round. Eid probes with his jab but offers nothing behind it. Action stalls. Inside leg kick from Mohammadseifi. Eid responds with two of his own. Three minutes left on the clock. Nice stepping knee to the body from Eid. Mohammadseifi counters with a volley of punches upstairs, though most fail to find the mark. Leg kick from Eid. Jab from Mohammadseifi. Eid circles on the outside, feints, dodges an overhand right and connects with a body kick. Less than a minute to go. Leg kick from Eid. They hurl hooks at one another. Neither man lands cleanly. Knees to the body from Eid, who then misses on a spinning backfist and resumes firing knees to the body to end the bout.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Eid (48-47 Eid)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Eid (48-47 Mohammadseifi)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Eid (48-47 Mohammadseifi)

The Official Result

Mohsen Mohammadseifi def. Georges Eid—Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46)

2024 PFL MENA Men’s Bantamweight Championship:
Ali Taleb vs. Rachid El Hazoume

Round 1

They keep the line moving with a turn to the bantamweight division, as Iraq’s Taleb (11-1, 4-1 PFL) does battle with Morocco’s El Hazoume (11-3, 2-1 PFL) in the 135-pound PFL MENA final. Peterson administers the law and order. Glove touch gets them started. Leg kick from El Hazoume, followed by a body kick and another leg kick. Slow start from Taleb. Another low kick from El Hazoume. Taleb tags him with an uppercut, swarms with punches, resets, catches a kick and steps into a crushing right hook for a clean, highlight-reel knockout. Brutal stuff.

The Official Result

Ali Taleb def. Rachid El Hazoume—KO (Punch) 1:25 R1

Women's Atomweight Showcase Bout:
Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani

Round 1

Next up, Alsaif (0-0, 0-0 PFL) sets her sights on Osmani (0-0, 0-0 PFL) in an amateur atomweight attraction. The 19-year-old Osmani missed weight by 2.3 pounds. Reda serves as the referee. Glove tap gets them started. Osmani fires kicks from both legs. Alsaif clinches, unleashes a knee to the body and fires punches upstairs. They separate after a brief clinch. Alsaif pounds away with punches and cuts loose with a spinning wheel kick that misses the mark. Osmani goes for a head-and-arm-throw. Alsaif slips behind her and uncorks some ground-and-pound. She changes levels, lifts Osmani and scores with a powerful slam. Alsaif gets busy with punches in full guard. Twenty seconds to go. Alsaif continues to pile up points from top position as the round closes.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alsaif
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Alsaif
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Alsaif

Round 2

Jumping front kick from Osmani finds only air. Alsaif closes the distance and clinches. Brief pause for a wardrobe adjustment. They jockey for position at close range. Alsaif shrugs it off and lets punches flow from both hands. Osmani looks fatigued. She answers a head kick with a spinning backfist, and they trade. Alsaif steps into a sharp left hand, resets and connects with a right hook before clinching. Two crushing knees to the body double over Osmani and result in the immediate stoppage.

The Official Result

Hattan Alsaif def. Lilia Osmani—TKO (Knees to the Body) R2

2024 PFL MENA Men’s Welterweight Championship:
Mohammad Alaqraa vs. Omar El Dafrawy

Round 1

Tournament action in the 170-pound PFL MENA final keeps the blood pumping, as Kuwait’s undefeated Alaqraa (7-0, 2-0 PFL) awaits Egypt’s El Dafrawy (12-6, 2-0 PFL). Alaqraa steps into a jab and snaps his opponent’s head back. He then changes levels, bails on a single-leg, settles in the clinch and trips El Dafrawy to the floor. The Egyptian immediately scrambles to his feet. Alaqraa snatches the Thai clinch and delivers a few knee to the midsection. El Dafrawy breaks free, clinches and connects with a knee below the belt. Brief pause. Dirty boxing from El Dafrawy. Alaqraa swings and misses with a front kick. Left hook from El Dafrawy. Alaqraa changes levels and ducks in on a takedown attempt. El Dafrawy successfully defends and stays in the clinch. Knee to the body from the Egyptian. Alaqraa answers with a few shoulder strikes. He slips behind El Dafrawy and briefly drags him to the canvas. Alaqraa stays busy and scores with a trip takedown. El Dafrawy gets to his feet. High-leverage slam from Alaqraa, who moves to the back and cuts loose with elbows and punches. Less than a minute to go. Alaqraa goes to work on the choke but bails. Round closes with him entrenched behind El Dafrawy.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Alaqraa
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Alaqraa
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Alaqraa

Round 2

Action resumes. Alaqraa steps forward behind his jab. El Dafrawy answers with a series of body kicks and a side kick to the thigh. Jumping knee from Alaqraa. Low blow from the Kuwaiti results in a pause to the action to allow El Dafrawy to regain his faculties. They touch gloves on the restart. Alaqraa dives in on a single-leg. El Dafrawy counters with a short left hook that drops Alaqraa to his knees. A series of rapid-fire hammerfists follow, prompting the stoppage.

The Official Result

Omar El Dafrawy def. Mohammad Alaqraa—TKO (Punches) R2

2024 PFL MENA Men’s Featherweight Championship:
Maraoune Bellagouit vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani

Round 1

The makeshift 145-pound PFL MENA closes out the prelims, as Morocco’s Bellagouit (6-1, 1-1 PFL) tackles Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani (9-2, 4-1 PFL). Hickey draws the officiating assignment. Bellagouit closes the distance with an overhand right. Al-Qahtani settles in behind his jab and floors the Moroccan with a clean right. He immediately gets back to his feet, evidently unharmed. Overhand right from Bellagouit, followed by a leg kick. Counter one-two from Al-Qahtani. No way this goes five rounds at this pace. Front kick to the body from Bellagouit. Al-Qahtani snaps his opponent’s head to the side with a brutal counter overhand right, then tries to swamp him with punches. Bellagouit survives. Al-Qahtani gets back on his jab, drops his adversary with another counter right over the top, allows him to get back up, delivers another right cross and then decks him with a left hook before swarming with punches and hammerfists for the finish.

The Official Result

Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Maraoune Bellagouit—KO (Punches) R1

2024 PFL Men’s Heavyweight Championship:
Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov

Round 1

If you thought four title fights and a bunch of showcase combat was enough, consider that just your hearty appetizer. It’s time for six consecutive championship affairs for the PFL main season, which it also calls its Global season given that it maintains regional offshoots in Europe and of course the Middle East (with North Africa invited). The first one is a big one, in the literal and figurative sense as heavyweights are set to take center stage. A participant since the 2019 season, Goltsov (35-8, 13-3 PFL) has never before earned gold in the PFL despite suffering just three losses along the way. His adversary and fellow countryman Popov (19-1, 3-0 PFL) may be new to the ways of PFL, but he is no stranger to winning, as he has prevailed in his last 17 outings. The Russians will toe the line in front of referee Gerd Richter, and is not likely they will need long to settle things. There is no bumping of fist to get started, as Goltsov wants to introduce himself with jabs. Goltsov dances on the outer edge of his reach early, popping Popov with jab after unanswered jab. Popov returns fire with a left hook, shooting his way into a takedown, and he secures it. Popov lands in guard, with Goltsov clinging to him by wrapping both of his arms around Popov’s. Both men appear more interested in controlling and stifling the other rather than opening up with offense, resulting in a horizontal stalemate. Goltsov throws his legs up high, and he fastens a triangle choke around the shoulder and side of Popov’s neck. Popov slips himself out of the choke, and Goltsov transitions quickly to an armbar. Popov stacks his man up to keep himself from getting his limb ensnared fully, and he drills Goltsov in the face with a left hand to try to get out of it. As Popov lowers himself down to flatten Goltsov out, “The Russian Bogatyr” wraps the triangle back up and this time it is crushingly tight. Goltsov wrenches down on the back of Popov’s neck to complete the submission, and he looks to Richter to inform him that Popov might be out. Popov stops responding while totally stuck in the sub, and Richter tests his arm and determines that Popov is out cold. Richter waves the fight off while leaving the unconscious Popov draped over the victorious Goltsov, and Goltsov has to tell Popov that the fight is over when life returns to the defeated fighter. Popov lifts himself up and dismounts his former foe, more surprised than upset that his million-dollar quest has ended this year. Goltsov did it, he finally cashed in after so many tries to win it all, and he rushes to remove his gloves—unclear whether he does because he wants to go out on top or because he wants to clutch the gargantuan check with his own hands. Goltsov clarifies that he is not done competing, and asks for an opportunity for a super fight against Francis Ngannou. Regarding his achievements today, he is the first man to finish Popov, and ends Popov’s lengthy win streak as well. He can forever say he is a PFL champion.

The Official Result

Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov R1 2:55 via Technical Submission (Triangle Choke)

2024 PFL Men’s Lightweight Championship:
Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

Round 1

It has been all roses for ex-Bellator champ Primus (15-3, 1 NC; 3-0 PFL) since he left the rounded confines of the Bellator cage, prevailing in three PFL matchups to reach the lightweight finals. His next challenge is a stern one, as Rabadanov (23-4-1, 4-0 PFL) has not lost since 2020 while rolling over most of the opposition that came his way. This U.S. vs. Dagestan championship pairing will draw nonsense-free oversight from referee Keith Peterson, and it opens up with a sporting glove touch. Primus takes the center of the cage, walking the Russian down calmly and ignoring a low calf kick. Primus loads up on a trio of power shots, with Rabadanov sliding away and planting another kick on the calf. Just a few kicks have already marked up Primus’ front leg, and he preemptively lifts his leg up to anticipatorily defend another. Without fear of reprisal, Rabadanov punches his way into a takedown effort, one he gets easily by simply bowling the former Bellator champion over. Primus hits his back and sets up a guillotine choke, and when that fails, he angles his left leg around Rabadanov’s right shoulder to set up an omoplata shoulder lock. As Primus tugs on his limb to potentially go for a Gogoplata with the shin under the chin, Rabadanov lifts himself up and lowers himself down to reset. Primus’ rubber guard is activated again, with his left leg once more hooking around Rabadanov’s shoulder. The savvy grappler Rabadanov fights through the setup to step over to half guard, and he pushes aside a triangle attempt as well. Primus quickly recovers to full guard and thinks about a butterfly guard to push the Dagestan native off of him. Primus’ flexibility can only get him so far, as for a third time he cranks his leg over Rabadanov’s arm and tries for some sort of -plata. Rabadanov shucks it aside, but in defending the repeated sub efforts, his own offense is largely muted. Primus hacks away at him off his back while maintaining a high guard, and with seconds to spare he elbows away as the bell stops the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Rabadanov says hello right out of the gate with a slamming leg kick, and he hurls a second before Primus darts at him winging his fists. Rabadanov strafes away from oncoming fire, and he kicks again only to get checked. Primus spins but does not throw anything, and Rabadanov half-heartedly pitches a calf kick at him on the reset. Primus slugs his way forward, shutting down a takedown that he expects so he can walk Rabadanov down and throw hammers. Rabadanov backs him off with a one-two, and his calf kick keeps finding the mark. Primus absorbs one or two before spurring himself into action, with a looping right hand getting Rabadanov’s attention. Rabadanov steels himself and rifles off a one-two that stuns and seats Primus, with the wide-eyed Bellator export searching for the license plate number of the bus that just ran him over. Rabadanov calmly lowers himself into the guard rather than letting loose in hopes of finishing the job, and Primus is quick to hook up his left leg with rubber guard. Rabadanov steps over to half guard on the other side, thereby passing around Primus’ offensive guard for the time being. Primus turns to a side and hunts for a kimura sweep, but Rabadanov shuts it down and attempts to posture up. Primus’ left leg is back in play until Rabadanov stands up, and the Russian lets loose with whipping kicks to Primus’ legs. Rabadanov kicks his way into shifting into the guard of his foe, and Primus thinks about a leglock off his back but there is nothing to it. Rabadanov ends the round on top landing stay-busy strikes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Rabadanov works his way forward slowly to start the round, unconcerned about what comes back his way so he can measure his strikes. As he inches his way closer, he recoils his right arm and looses it, smashing Primus in the face and sending him careening to the mat, a cut instantly forming on his cheek. Once more, Rabadanov does not sell out for a finish, instead allowing Primus to stand up and even backing off to let Primus come to him. Rabadanov allows the still compromised Primus to come at him, looping punches at him, so he can sit down on a counter. Rabadanov ducks a spinning back fist and drills Primus in the face with a right hand, further doing damage. Primus shakes it out, his chin cracked but not broken, and Rabadanov is not about to let him off the hook this time. Rabadanov parries and counters his foe with a blistering left hook, freezing Primus in his tracks. As soon as the Dagestan native connects with his follow-up right hand, Primus crashes down to the mat, face-first. Peterson knows that Primus is done like dinner and steps in to halt the fight, but not before Rabadanov puts him all the way to sleep with a massive right hand while Primus is on the ground. Rabadanov is now a million-dollar man with the knockout victory, putting a bow on a perfect season at 155 pounds.

The Official Result

Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus R3 2:31 via KO (Punches)

2024 PFL Men’s Welterweight Championship:
Magomed Umalatov vs. Shamil Musaev

Round 1

A battle of undefeated Russians completes the PFL’s welterweight finals this year, with the victor among the winningest active fighters without a loss in the sport. A loss for either man would be massive, not just because they would lose claim on a million-dollar check, but they would also be ejected from the ranks of the unbeaten. Musaev (17-0-1, 3-0 PFL) has a slight blemish in the form of a draw when fighting under the KSW banner, but it has been smooth sailing this year with PFL. Many called Umalatov (17-0, 8-0 PFL) the uncrowned king of PFL, given that a previous trajectory towards greatness was thwarted thanks to visa issues for a late PFL event shift across the world in 2022, and another in 2023 fell apart due to injury before the playoffs. The welterweights will occupy the cage for the next 25 minutes or less, and they will be joined by referee Derek Hickey every step of the way. The countrymen bump fists, and Umalatov claims center cage to start. Both fighters are tentative to engage early, pumping and faking for the first 90 seconds other than tossing out a few low kicks. The kicks are about the only things coming from either man as the two-second mark is hit, and this draws hearty boos from the audience. Umalatov misses with a one-two, and Musaev counters with a left hook and rings his bell in the blitz. Musaev successfully drives Umalatov to the wall and knees him a few times, and he hunts for foot sweeps before dragging Umalatov to a knee. Umalatov fights his way up and pushes Musaev away to reset. Umalatov paws at his eye a few times as he walks forward, but neither man attacks as another lengthy lull presents itself. Hickey claps for the fighters to actually start fighting again, and they ignore him completely. Musaev eventually surges into action with 15 seconds left in the round, looping a left hook and then dodging a front kick before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Hickey reminds the combatants that they should do that fighting thing, and he starts the second round. They don’t heed his advice immediately, with the welterweights doing nothing but measure one another for the first 45 seconds of the round. Umalatov explodes forward, looking two hooks before changing levels low for a takedown. Musaev shuts it down and escapes, and he lets Umalatov have it with a trio of punches ending with a long jab to the body. Musaev slams his shin on the inside of Umalatov’s lead leg, making his foe take a funny step. Musaev kicks again and preemptively dodges a counter, and Umalatov gathers himself and sticks out a one-two to set up a takedown. Musaev reverses him in the process, and he takes Umalatov’s back standing up while Umalatov leans himself against the fencing. Musaev looks to drag Umalatov down from behind, his hands wrapped around the waist. Musaev succeeds in depositing Umalatov to his seat, but only for a few seconds before Umalatov effortlessly wall-walks. Musaev knees his man in the ribs, and Umalatov responds with an elbow and a few knees. Umalatov pushes Musaev across the cage, keeping Musaev in the clinch when Musaev tries to escape. They jockey for position and trade short knees, twirling one another around while gaining control for brief seconds until Musaev has had enough and pushes his fellow countryman away. Umalatov walks him down, absorbs a clean uppercut that irritates his nose and has to back off. Umalatov advances, and the two trade strikes and level changes before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Both men bump fists to get going, and it is nearly as much of a stalemate as the first two rounds. One jab is tossed in the first 45 seconds, and Umalatov finally breaks up the lack of action with a one-two that misses the park. Musaev pushes him back with a front kick, and Umalatov throws himself off-balance with his own front kick. Musaev darts in to deliver a few punches, but he leaves himself in range as Umalatov counters and shoots in on his hips. “The Silent Assassin” shucks it off and loads up on all power. Musaev ducks a right hand to respond with a booming left, and he has Umalatov hurt and backing off. Musaev strides forward, brimming with confidence, and fakes a right to deliver a bomb of a left that detonates on Umalatov’s chin and crumples him to the mat. Musaev unloads with a short salvo of ferocious right hands until Hickey has seen enough, and the defeated Umalatov solemnly shakes his head as he has been violently removed from the ranks of the unbeaten. Musaev, on the other hand, is a crisp 18-0 with a draw, and he is now a million dollars richer—although with taxes and expenses, perhaps more like $400-500 thousand. It is nevertheless a giant payday that comes with bragging rights for being the PFL’s welterweight champ and also grants him a gold belt to drape around his shoulder.

The Official Result

Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov R3 1:44 via TKO (Punches)

2024 PFL Men’s Light Heavyweight Championship:
Impa Kasanganay vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov

Round 1

Departing the UFC may have been the best thing for 2023 PFL champ Kasanganay (18-4, 8-1 PFL), who moved up to 205 pounds and looked as good as ever—even coming ultra-close to dethroning Bellator middleweight juggernaut Johnny Eblen in a February crossover battle. In tournament action, “Tshilobo” has been a man possessed, but the same can be said for Yagshimuradov (24-7-1, 3-0 PFL) this year. Chins and gas tanks will likely be tested in this light heavyweight tourney final and championship bout, and it opens up as the gladiators shake hands. Referee Gerd Richter is on call. Yagshimuradov strikes first with a chopping leg kick, and Kasanganay comes out firing with wide hooks. Yagshimuradov’s head movement keeps him safe, and he gets off another hard leg kick. Yagshimuradov prods out a jab, and Kasanganay again blitzes forward to engage. Yagshimuradov welcomes the exchange, clipping “Tshilobo” as the two trade vicious leather. The fighter from Turkmenistan gets the better of the wild slugfest, looping short counter hooks that bash Kasanganay in the temple and jaw. Yagshimuradov lets his fists fly, rocking Kasanganay badly and leaning him against the fence. The fighter who calls himself “Turkic Power” demonstrates that power as he knocks Kasanganay down on his side, and Richter gets involved as soon as Kasanganay hits the ground. Kasanganay is barely clinging to consciousness as the fight is waved off, and he does not protest the stoppage and accepts what just happened. Meanwhile, Turkmenistan is now on the map as it has its first major MMA champion, and Yagshimuradov has never looked better. Flags from the Central Asian nation pop up around the arena seemingly out of nowhere, and the crowd showers him with affection as he is now much richer man and a champion to boot.

The Official Result

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Impa Kasanganay R1 0:58 via KO (Punches)

2024 PFL Women's Flyweight Championship:
Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos

Round 1

What some fans are calling the “people’s main event” comes in the co-headliner spot, as former UFC title challenger Santos (22-3, 3-0 PFL) plies her trade to become the best flyweight outside of her previous promotion. With a recent pound-for-pound win over Liz Carmouche on her resume, all she needs to do now is hand unblemished standout Ditcheva (13-0, 8-0 PFL) her first pro loss. A million bucks is on the line, and referee Keith Peterson will take this as seriously as the ladies do. The 125ers do not clap hands to get going, eager to put fists to face. There should be no nonsense going forward. Ditcheva immediately assumes the center of the cage and lets strikes go, using her range to find her target while not getting countered. Ditcheva flicks out jabs and surprisingly heavy low kicks, with Santos largely stuck in first gear jabbing back at her. Ditcheva snaps the head back with a right hand, prompting the Brazilian shoot in for a takedown. Santos wraps up a body lock as she pushes the unbeaten woman against the cage, and she looks for trips and throws as Ditcheva frantically keeps her balance. Ditcheva reverse Santos to dump her to the mat, and she lets Santos stand up so she can drill her in the face with an uppercut on the way up. Santos blinks it out and walks forward, absorbing a few jabs and a low kick so she can tie Ditcheva up again. Santos drops down low for a double-leg takedown, and Ditcheva stands her up without a great amount of concern. Santos works the body with knees before wrapping Ditcheva’s leg up to trip her to the mat, only for Ditcheva to bounce back to her feet as if she had springs on her shorts. Ditcheva spins out with an elbow to break the grip, and she prods out two push kicks to set up a huge right hand. Santos wears it well, and she ducks back as a left hand buzzes her hair. Ditcheva chops down at the front leg when she finds openings to attack, and she leans away from four lunging punches aimed at her. Santos splits the guard with a jab, and Ditcheva pays her back in spades with a nasty front kick up the middle. Ditcheva strings several punches together, concluding a combination with a flush elbow as she knocks Santos back to the wire. Santos shells up, and Ditcheva aims a knee to the body and backs off. Santos keeps her guard up, and again Ditcheva goes to the body with a mean-spirited knee. A Santos low kick goes wide, and she is knocked back by a pair of punches before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The ladies meet in the middle to start the second round, and it does not take more than a few seconds for Ditcheva to land cleanly with jabs and a solid front kick. Santos swarms towards her with looping strikes, opening her up for knees to the midsection that appear to get her attention. Santos drops down to her knees for a takedown, and has to stand back up when Ditcheva’s balance is unwavering. Ditcheva’s spin allows her to free herself from the Brazilian’s grip, and she resets to her preferred range, peppering out jab after jab. Ditcheva mixes in body shots, and she has a leg kick countered with a left hand. Ditcheva brushes off a front kick aimed at her jaw, and she slides to the side and pecks the body with a long punch. Ditcheva wraps a left hand around the guard as Santos is advancing, and Ditcheva’s hand-fighting allows her to swat away or parry some blows. Ditcheva chews up the body with a knee and a push kick, and she slams a leg kick home as Santos turns to try to move with it and take some of the oomph out of it. Ditcheva kicks the same spot, and Santos lifts her leg up preemptively to block a third. Santos looks to catch a kick or find a place for a counter, but Ditcheva’s accuracy and speed are giving her fits. Ditcheva steps in with a hard knee, and Santos bullies her back to the wall. Santos considers a single-leg takedown, only to have her face hacked at with an elbow and further damaged with a guard-piercing front kick. Ditcheva connects with a clean left hand and has a head kick bounce off the guard, but it is her body work that is harming Santos more effectively. As Santos takes a body shot or two, she pushes forward again to tie Ditcheva up and change levels. Ditcheva turns her about and lashes out with two elbows, and a knee to the liver hurts Santos. Ditcheva measures a gutbusting left hand that folds Santos over, and she aims a few more body shots until Peterson determines that the former UFC fighter is no longer intelligently defending herself. It is a standing TKO, but it is not one that Santos argues as she is in a rough way from the methodical onslaught. This was an exceptional performance for Ditcheva, whose star is about to take off as she is a millionaire and a major organizational champ. Additionally, she will almost certainly vault into top echelon of the pound-for-pound rankings by laying waste to the Brazilian, especially given that she is the first fighter to stop Santos inside the distance. The sky may truly be the limit for the 26-year-old champion who is now sitting pretty at 14-0 with 13 stoppages, and she receives a special bonus as the promotion allows her mother, kickboxing champ Lisa Howarth, to drape the belt over her shoulder.

The Official Result

Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos R2 4:41 via TKO (Punches to the Body)

2024 PFL Men’s Featherweight Championship:
Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev

Round 1

We’re on the home stretch. Five title tilts are in the books, and one more remains for featherweight gold, glory, bragging rights and a giant check. Loughnane (29-5, 12-2 PFL) is the only other of the bunch this year to attempt to win another belt—the unsuccessful Kasanganay the first—as he previously claimed the throne in 2022. Well-rounded Dagestani Khizriev (17-0, 3-0 PFL) will have something to say about that, and for the next five rounds, he will be able to put action behind any words he would like to say. The final assignment of the evening goes to referee Keith Peterson, who is pulling double duty with zero scoops of nonsense, and he claps the fighters in as they decide not to touch gloves. Loughnane saunters forward, only for Khizriev to chop at his lead leg a few times early. Khizriev jabs a front kick to the body, and he triples up on his jab. Khizriev sits down on a low kick, and once more he gets through with his front kick. Khizriev turns his hips into two thudding low kicks, and Loughnane’s lead calf is already red and welting up. Khizriev chips at the front leg and counters a low kick coming back his way with two punches. Loughnane splits the guard with a front kick, and he gets knocked back to the fencing courtesy of a spinning back kick. Loughnane says two can play that game and spins with a wheel kick, and Khizriev licks his lips and shoots through his hips to take the Brit down. Khizriev enters the guard and starts driving down punches and elbows, while Loughnane elbows him back off of his back. Khizriev drops down a few more elbows, until Loughnane kicks him off and makes him re-approach the grappling. Loughnane leans himself to the fence while staying on one knee, and Khizriev slithers around to wrap on Loughnane’s right arm so he can smack him with the left. Khizriev trips his foe up and grounds Loughnane, and he hits a mat return as soon as Loughnane stands. Khizriev drags Loughnane away from the fencing, and he hacks at Loughnane with elbows including at least one or two legal 12-6 blows. Khizriev slows himself down rather than burning himself out while stuck in guard, staying busy and otherwise making Loughnane’s life miserable by covering his mouth with his hand. Khizriev hangs out on top until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

The featherweights meet in the middle and both land simultaneous left hooks to get started. Khizriev kicks at the front leg and ducks his way into engage further, and his front kick grazes Loughnane’s cheek. Loughnane slips to the side, only to get followed by a double jab from the Russian. Khizriev goes to the body and hops back to avoid a leg kick, and he spins to drive a back kick square in Loughnane’s ribs. Loughnane bounces off the wall and walks directly into an uppercut that appears to shake him up badly. Loughnane keeps a stiff upper lip, and he shakes some of it off while Khizriev is not taking advantage of the situation. Khizriev pokes and prods with low kicks, jabs and the occasional front kick, and Loughnane is still recovering and appears to be struggling with speed and angles of approach. Khizriev darts in to plant a jab on the nose, bloodying it up slightly, and he steps back to avoid a step-in knee. Khizriev wings as right hand around the guard, and Loughnane’s chin is made of sterner stuff as he tanks it and comes back at him with a lunging one-two. Khizriev jackhammers the front leg with a kick that he turns his hips through, and he pokes out with a jab to disrupt Loughnane’s response. Khizriev measures another right hand, further drawing blood from the bridge of the nose. The Russian pushes through a push kick to keep his jab going, and he mixes things up with jabs to the body every so often. Loughnane jabs him back and slides to the side to dodge a haymaker, and Khizriev walks him down and punches him square in the face. Blood freely flows all over Loughnane’s face, and Khizriev is painting a grim picture on his foe’s visage. Loughnane jabs, and a second rings Khizriev’s bell. Khizriev motions that he is fine as he gets back his footing, and he dislodges Loughnane’s mouthguard with a steady diet of jabs. Loughnane replaces it and sways away to avoid a low kick, only to get popped with a mighty overhand right. Khizriev’s double jab nearly opens another right hand, and the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Despite a face that immediately bleeds after the first jab is absorbed in Round 3, Loughnane is not deterred and instead moves to the middle of the cage to engage. Khizriev is quick to drive him back, shooting for a takedown and slipping to the side to wrap Loughnane up from behind. When Loughnane leans, Khizriev blasts him in the face twice with perfectly legal knees. Loughnane drops down to a knee to stop the bludgeoning for a moment, and he has a cut shredded open on his right cheek or side of his eye—it is difficult to tell the source of the cut as blood streams down his face. Khizriev does not falter in his methodically effective approach of fighting behind the jab, and as he lands flush, Loughnane appears to stagger every time just a slight bit, perhaps because the leg kicks have added up. Khizriev takes a low kick back and comes out throwing a right hand up top, and he chains it into a jab and a leg kick. Loughnane stands firm to plant his fist on the Russian’s mug, but Khizriev completely no-sells it and works Loughnane over with four strikes to the head, body and lead leg. Khizriev beats on the front leg with kicks, and he ducks down and blasts Loughnane in the face with an uppercut that sends his gumshield flying. Loughnane desperately spins with a wheel kick, and Khizriev easily sees it coming and tackles him down to the mat. Peterson finds a lull in the ground action to give Loughnane his mouthpiece back, and Khizriev grinds on the former champ. Loughnane sits up against the wall and uses his elbows to attack from odd angles and work back to his feet. Khizriev knocks Loughnane’s mouthguard out again, and Peterson calls time and tells him he needs to keep it in his mouth. They resume in kickboxing range, with Khizriev landing first and last in an exchange. One last right hand punctuates the round for the Dagestani.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 4

Reaching the championship rounds, Loughnane is battered and bruised but not out of the fight yet. Khizriev tries to take him out early with two looping hooks, and when they do not do the job, a few leg kicks and a check right hook helps. Khizriev slips a jab and looses a right hand over the top that stuns Loughnane, and he shoots behind it to easily scoop Loughnane off his feet and deposit him to the mat. Loughnane leans against the wall as he returns to a knee, with Khizriev hanging behind him trying to drag him down. Loughnane gets away with a clear fence grab to stop from getting pulled down, and Peterson tells him to knock it off. Loughnane stands up and dodges a massive elbow to stick out a jab. When Loughnane throws a leg kick, he brings it back awkwardly as if he did not like landing it. Khizriev spins with a clean back kick without concern about getting taken down or countered, and Loughnane watches him do it and absorbs it. Khizriev follows with two right hands and a leg kick, and his offense opens up Loughnane’s nose once more. Khizriev fakes a level change and spins with a wheel kick that misses the mark, and he slips and recovers without needing to hurry. A Khizriev jab leads to an overhand right, and he scoops for an uppercut out of the Mortal Kombat playbook. It was not toasty. Khizriev puts hands on Loughnane, and a winging elbow that results in him nailing the Brit with his forearm stuns him for a second. Loughnane gathers his thoughts as blood leaks all over his face, and he takes a crisp uppercut and counters back with an effective right hook. They trade jabs, and the Russian slides back to avoid two follow-up hooks. Loughnane counters a kick with a one-two, and he plants a second on the chin as Khizriev is resetting. Two more punches get through from Loughnane, who starts to flow as he is landing cleanly. Khizriev connects with a calf kick, and Loughnane does the same as the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 5

The fighters are eager to handle their business in the final five-minute stretch, and Loughnane motions to the crowd to get excited. The Brit comes out of his corner loaded for bear, putting punches behind his jabs and spinning around when taking a leg kick. Loughnane sticks his man with the jab, beating Khizriev to the punch and checking a leg kick that comes after. Khizriev stings him with a right hook, and he tries a second but is out of range. Loughnane flicks out more jabs, and Khizriev does the same and scores a right hand. Khizriev steps in with an uppercut, forcing Loughnane to retreat and bounce off the fencing. Loughnane jabs, eats one back, and narrowly evades a step-in elbow. Loughnane throws hard with a right hand, and Khizriev ducks it and knees Loughnane square in the noggin. Loughnane waves him on, hoping to make Khizriev throw caution to the wind, but Khizriev remains composed with jabs and deflating leg kicks. Khizriev picks his time well to land right hands, and he gets knocked back a step with a right hand on his chest. They trade leather, and blood sprays from Loughnane’s face but he is as in the fight as ever. As he loads up on power, Khizriev tackles him to the ground. Loughnane desperately pushes off his foe’s chest with his foot, but Khizriev wants to remove any further risk and keeps the Brit grounded. Loughnane worms his way upright and out of the grip of his opponent, and with 75 seconds to go, he puts punches behind his jabs. Loughnane misses with a big knee, and Khizriev dances on the outer edge with distance strikes like jabs and front kicks. Khizriev tries to wrap Loughnane up after Loughnane whiffs on a looping strike, but Loughnane frantically wriggles out. Loughnane eats a power right hand to throw one back, and he has to shake his head from the damage and continues striking. Khizriev gets on his bike to ride out the remainder of the fight, and the final bell sounds to conclude this five-round, combo-breaking match. Barring something extreme, Khizriev should have this in the bag, and he should become the fourth Russian tonight to claim the big check and $1 million prize to go with it. One more fighter is about to become 18-0 and add to the leaderboard of the top fighters with undefeated records in major promotions. After nearly 10 hours, the marathon fight card with 10 title fights is complete. Next week, the UFC is back on the menu with a pay-per-view that has some exciting matchups on the billing. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev (50-45 Khizriev)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev (50-45 Khizriev)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev (50-45 Khizriev)

The Official Result

Timur Khizriev def. Brendan Loughnane via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)