After a hugely entertaining first week of Playoffs, the PFL return tonight with Lightweights and Light Heavyweights looking to book their spots in the 2024 PFL Season Championship.
All but one athlete successfully made weight at yesterday’s weigh-ins, with Brian Stapleton coming in substantially over the 156lbs Lightweight limit for his bout against Biaggio Ali Walsh, tipping the scales at 160.6lbs. Their showcase bout will still go ahead, but now, as a 161lbs Catchweight contest.
In the main event, 2023 finalists Impa Kasanganay and Josh Silveria will face off for the second time in less than a year as they look to punch their ticket to the final. The first time the pair met, Kasanganay outworked Silveria across all 5 rounds and claimed a 50-45, 50-45, 50-45 unanimous decision win to be crowned the 2023 PFL Global Light Heavyweight Champion. The co-main event will see the return of another former champion as Rob Wilkinson takes on Dovlet Yagshimuradov in the other Light Heavyweight bracket.
Brent Primus, Clay Collard, Gadzhi Rabadanov and Michael Dufort will be the four men battling it out for the spot in the Lightweight Championship final. Former Bellator champion Primus and fan favourite Collard will be the first two to compete. Primus has looked impeccable in the tournament so far, collecting two second round submissions on his way to the Playoffs. Collard pulled off one of the shocks of the Lightweight tournament when he stopped Pitbull in the first round of the championship. He then dropped a decision to Mads Burnell but the second round stoppage against Pitbull was enough to book his place in the playoffs.
Rabadanov kept his impressive unbeaten run throughout the 2023 season, thus far, grinding out two unanimous decision wins against Solomon Renfro and the previously unbeaten Elvin Espinoza. Much like Collard, a second round stoppage against a tournament favourite in the opening week was enough for Dufort to book his spot in the final. The Canadian submitted Mads Burnell in the opening week before losing out on a close split decision to Adam Piccolotti.
Opening the main card will be Biaggio Ali Walsh, as he makes the walk for the second time as a professional, against debutant Brian Stapleton. The early card is set to feature some familiar faces with Danny Sabatello, Mads Burnell, Elvin Espinoza all featuring. Opening the action is the surging Michelle Montague, who in her five professional bouts, has finished every opponent with a rear naked choke. She will face Marilia Morais.
Full weigh-in results are below.
PFL 2024 Playoffs Main Card:
Friday, August 16 – Live on ESPN / ESPN+ / DAZN
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Florida
9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
Light Heavyweight Playoff Main Event: Impa Kasanganay (203.8 lbs) vs. Josh Silveira (205.2 lbs)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Co-Main Event: Rob Wilkinson (206.0 lbs) vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov (205.6 lbs)
Lightweight Playoff Bout: Gadzhi Rabadanov (155.8 lbs) vs. Michael Dufort (155.8 lbs)
Lightweight Playoff Bout: Brent Primus (155.2 lbs) vs. Clay Collard (155.6 lbs)
Catchweight Main Card Bout: Biaggio Ali Walsh (155.4 lbs) vs. Brian Stapleton (160.6 lbs)*
Early Card:
Live on ESPN+ / DAZN
6:30 pm ET/ 3:30 pm PT
Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Danny Sabatello (135.6 lbs) vs. Lazard Dayron (135.8 lbs)
Alternate Lightweight Bout: Elvin Espinoza (156.0 lbs) vs. Mads Burnell (155.0 lbs)
Welterweight Showcase Bout: Thad Jean (170.8 lbs) vs. Chris Brown (170.4 lbs)
Featherweight Showcase Bout: Jordan Oliver (145.8 lbs) vs. Brandon Aked (146.0 lbs)
Women’s Featherweight Showcase Bout: Michelle Montague (145.0 lbs) vs. Marilia Morais (145.8 lbs)
*Brian Stapleton missed the Lightweight limit. This bout will move forward at a Catchweight of 161 pounds.
