The PFL Light Heavyweights and Lightweights certainly delivered on last night's PFL 2: Las Vegas card.
It’s still all to play for heading into the second week of the regular season for the Light Heavyweights, with all five winners ending their contests in the first round.
In the main event Impa Kasana picked up his 2024 campaign where he left in 2023, proving to be far too much for Alex Polizzi and stopping the American just over three minutes into the bout with strikes. After backing Polizzi up against the cage, ‘Tshilobo’ picked his shot impeccably and after several unanswered strikes, Marc Goddard called time on the bout.
Tom Breese faces an uphill battle heading into the second week of the regular season after Rob Wilkinson stopped the Brit in 70 seconds. The 2022 Champion landed a knee followed up with a huge right hand which sent Breese crumbling to the mat. Once on the floor, Wilkinson swarmed Breese and reigned shots down on the MMA veteran to claim a big win.
Sadibou Sy suffered an unfortunate thumb injury which brought a premature first round ending to his contest against Josh Silveira. Looking to use his hand to post when being taken down, considerable damage was inflicted to his thumb. The former PFL Welterweight champion immediately signalled to the referee that something was wrong and the contest was stopped immediately after.
2023 PFL Europe champion Jakob Nedoh was handed his first loss in a decade against Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov. Yagshimuradov cracked Nedoh with a huge right and just over half way through the first round, which instantly dropped the Slovenian and led to him covering up immediately.
Antonio Carlos Jnr. stopped Simon Biyong in impressive style, with the only submission in the Light Heavyweight bracket. The seasoned Brazilian tied up a tight Rear Naked Choke with just 25 seconds left on the clock.
The Lightweight opening round also delivered, with Clay Collard & Michael Dufort clinching two of the biggest victories of the night.
Collard faced former Bellator champion in what was a tough assignment in the opening round for the fan favourite. Midway through the second round, Collard meticulously worked the body and the head with punishing strikes, backing Pitbull up against the cage and getting the standing TKO finish.
Michael Dufort showed submission specialist Mads Burnell he’s no slouch on the mat, getting a guillotine finish against the Dane just over a minute into the second round.
Similarly, Brent Primus also had his hand raised after a second round submission finish against Burno Miranda in the feature bout of the early card.
Gadzhi Rabadanov picked up the only decision win of the night, with a unanimous decision over Solomon Renfro. Elvin Espinoza continued his unbeaten run with a 3rd round finish against Adam Piccolotti.
Reviewing the fight night, PFL CEO Peter Murray said:
“The second event of the 2024 PFL Global Season delivered unmatched MMA excitement to fans around the globe with five first round finishes in the Light Heavyweight division.
“The PFL’s unique season format is a catalyst for action with elite athletes aware of the stakes and impact of each contest in the Global Season standings.”
“Tonight the Light Heavyweights and Lightweights showed the depth of the PFL Global Season roster with incredible action from start to finish,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations at PFL. “We are proud of our athletes and cannot wait to step back into the PFL SmartCage April 19 in Chicago.”
Find the full list of results, below:
PFL Las Vegas Main Card Results:
Impa Kasanganay (16-4) def. Alex Polizzi (10-4) 1st round TKO (3:29)
Rob Wilkinson (18-2, 1 NC) def. Tom Breese (18-5) 1st round TKO (1:10)
Clay Collard (25-12, 1 NC) def. Patricky Pitbull (25-13) 2nd round TKO (1:32)
Michael Dufort (13-4) def. Mads Burnell (18-6) 2nd round submission (1:03)
Josh Silveira (13-3) def. Sadibou Sy (17-8-2, 1 NC) 1st round TKO (injury 1:14)
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (22-7-1) def. Jakob Nedoh (8-2) 1st round TKO (2:54)
Antônio Carlos Júnior (16-5, 2 NC) def. Simon Biyong (9-4) 1st round submission (4:34)
Early Card Results:
Brent Primus (12-3, 1 NC) def. Bruno Miranda (16-4) 2nd round submission (1:49)
Gadzhi Rabadanov (21-4-2) def. Solomon Renfro (11-5) unanimous decision (29-28x3)
Elvin Espinoza (10-0) vs. Adam Piccolotti (14-6) 3rd round KO (2:23)
Marcelo Nunes (11-2) def. Jordan Heiderman (7-2) 1st round submission (2:40)
