$6 Million On The Line
The lives of six fighters might be modified ceaselessly this Friday because the PFL World Championship goes down in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The principle card is comprised of six high-stakes fights, each the ultimate decider within the PFL international match and carrying a money prize of $1 million for the winner to take dwelling alongside their championship belt.
For the twelve fighters who enter the smartcage on Friday, this would be the fruits of an intense season which started in April. With two common season fights and one play-off bout below their belts already, this group have barely had time to attract breath earlier than lacing up the 4-ounce gloves as soon as once more. Some have been down this street earlier than, whereas others are making ready for his or her first try at successful the most important money prize on the earth of MMA.
Let’s check out the six world title fights that make up the principle card on the Mayadeen in Riyadh this Friday.
Brendan Loughnane (30-5) vs Timur Khizriev (17-0) – Featherweight
Brendan Loughnane might be making an attempt to win his second PFL championship in three years when he faces Timur Khizriev in the principle occasion. The veteran Mancunian suffered a shock first-round KO loss by the hands of Jesus Pinedo early within the 2023 season however bounced again in spectacular vogue this yr with stoppage victories over Pefro Carvalho and Justin Gonzales earlier than edging previous Kai Kamaka pin the playoffs by means of cut up choice.
His Dagesatni opponent has been quietly making a reputation for himself below each the Bellator and the PFL banners over the previous two years, choosing up wins over credentialled opponents comparable to Richie Smullen and Brett Johns alongside the way in which. Khizriev brings a suffocating grappling model into Friday’s showdown which may very well be precisely what’s required to close down the dynamic putting Loughnane has proven all through his lengthy profession.
Dakota Ditcheva (13-0) vs Taila Santos (22-3) – Flyweight
The most well liked prospect on the earth of ladies’s MMA faces her hardest take a look at to this point on Friday within the form of Taila Santos, a UFC veteran with the expertise and know-how to pose the kind of issues that “Harmful” hasn’t but confronted in her younger profession to this point. Dakota Ditcheva gained the PFL European match (and it’s accompanying $100,000 examine) in 2023 and the step up in competitors she has confronted within the international match this yr doesn’t appear to have fazed her in any respect.
Three consecutive first-round finishes over Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett and Jena Bishop have accomplished nothing however enhance the hype surrounding the 26-year-old who many see as the longer term face of ladies’s blended martial arts.
Taila Santos linked up with the PFL this yr after reducing ties with the UFC and has additionally maintained a 100% win price within the flyweight match, taking out Ilara Joanne, Jena Bishop and Liz Carmouche alongside the way in which.
Impa Kasanganay (18-4) vs Doglet Yagshimuradov (24-7-1) – Mild heavyweight
Impa Kasanganay is aiming to win the worldwide match for the second yr operating. Previous to linking up with the PFL in the beginning of 2023, “Tshilobo” was best-known because the unlucky B-side of Joaquin Buckley’s notorious spinning again kick knockout on UFC’s Struggle Island, however after successful 5 consecutive fights in his first yr below the PFL banner he discovered himself $1 million richer.
He started 2024 by shedding a detailed cut up choice towards Johnny Eblen on the “PFL vs Bellator” card in Saudi Arabia however bounced again by successful all three fights since, touchdown him one other alternative to struggle for the belt this weekend.
Magomed Umalatov (17-0) vs Shamil Musaev (19-0-1) – Welterweight
An all-Russian affair will resolve the vacation spot of the welterweight title. Magomed Umalatov, who has gained all eight of his fights with the PFL since signing again in 2021 will sq. off towards KSW veteran Shamil Musaev who has regarded excellent all through his debut season. Musaev has racked up spectacular finsihes over Logan Storley and Murad Ramazanov and might be trying so as to add Umalatov to his record of victims.
Brent Primus (15-3) vs Gadzhi Rabadonov (23-4-2) – Light-weight
Former Bellator champion Brent Primus, regardless of turning 39 years outdated earlier this yr, has by no means regarded extra spectacular. The Oregon native will step into the smartcage for the fourth time in seven months this weekend after taking out Solomon Renfro, Bruno Miranda and Clay Collard en path to Riyadh, and regardless of his advancing years is displaying no indicators of slowing down simply but. Primus is considered some of the harmful submission grapplers in MMA and believes he has the flexibility to complete Rabadanov in Saudi Arabia.
” I (have) a whole lot of submissions in my ebook and in my arsenal” he advised us in an unique interview this week. “I really feel like I might submit these guys in such a wide range of methods. The rear bare choke is unquestionably one among my favourite ones. I’m good at taking the again and holding onto the again so don’t be shocked if I get one other one towards Gadzhi”.
Denis Goltsov (35-8) vs Oleg Popov (19-1) – Heavyweight
One other all-Russian affair will resolve the vacation spot of the heavyweight title. Denis Goltsov returns for one more crack at glory, one yr faraway from his defeat by the hands of Renan Ferreira within the 2023 ultimate. “The Russian Bogatyr” rebounded by racking up a trio of floor and pound victories over Linton Vassell, Thiago Santos and Tim Johnson and faces an actual take a look at when he squares off towards Oleg Popov.
Take a look at the complete struggle card under:
2024 PFL Championships International Season:Friday, November 29 – Dwell on ESPN+ / DAZNRiyadh, Saudi Arabia1 pm ET/10 am PT
Featherweight World Championship Predominant Occasion:Brendan Loughnane (144.8 lbs) vs. Timur Khizriev (144.7 lbs)
Ladies’s Flyweight World Championship Co-Predominant Occasion:Dakota Ditcheva (124.9 lbs) vs. Talia Santos (125.0 lbs)
Mild Heavyweight World Championship:Impa Kasanganay (204.6 lbs) vs. Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov (204.1 lbs)
Welterweight World Championship:Magomed Umalatov (168.8 lbs) vs. Shamil Musaev (169.8 lbs)
Light-weight World Championship:Brent Primus (154.3 lbs) vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov (155.0 lbs)
Heavyweight World Championship:Denis Goltsov (245.8 lbs) vs. Oleg Popov (249.5 lbs)
PFL MENA Championships:Dwell on ESPN+ / DAZN9:30 am ET/ 6:30 am PT
Middleweight International Showcase:Costello van Steenis (185.9 lbs) vs. Joao Dantas (185.0 lbs)Featherweight International Showcase Bout:Gabriel Braga (144.3 lbs) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (145.8 lbs)
Featherweight International Showcase:Asael Adjoudj (145.9 lbs) vs. Jose Perez (145.0 lbs)
Welterweight MENA Championship:Mohammad Alaqraa (169.6 lbs) vs. Omar El Dafrawy (170.0 lbs)
Ladies’s Atomweight MENA Showcase Bout:Hattan Alsaif (105.4 lbs) vs. Lilia Osmani (108.3 lbs)
Bantamweight MENA Championship:Ali Taleb (134.0 lbs) vs. Rachid El Hazoume (134.8 lbs)
Light-weight MENA Championship:Mohsen Mohammadseifi (154.6 lbs) vs. Georges Eid (155.0 lbs)
PFL Showcase Bouts:Dwell on ESPN+ / DAZN7:15 am ET/ 4:15 am PT
Light-weight MENA Showcase Bout:Mansour Barnaoui (153.6 lbs) vs. Alfie Davis (155.7 lbs)
Heavyweight MENA Showcase Bout:Slim Trabelsi (243.5 lbs) vs. Abraham Bably (251.8 lbs)
Featherweight MENA Championship:Marouane Bellagouit (144.4 lbs) vs. Abdullah Al-Qahtani (144.3 lbs)
