The last of the 2024 season Playoffs are set to go down tonight in the US capital as PFL 9 descends on Washington, DC. With one of the promotion’s marquee names in the main event, backed up by several stand out Russian contenders that are must-watch for any MMA fan. The Anthem looks to be in for a great go-home show before the finals round out proceedings later in the year.
In the main event, Brendan Loughnane has the opportunity to advance to his second PFL finals in the Featherweight division. The 2022 winner was shockingly eliminated at an early stage last year only to bounce back with consecutive finishes. He now faces an opponent that will likely look to compete in a striking clash with the Brit in Kai Kamaka III. Back-to-back unanimous decisions have got him to this spot, heading into what promises to be a technical match-up to finish the evening.
The other featherweight semi-final takes place between 2023 finalist Gabriel Braga and the undefeated Timur Khizriev. For all intents and purposes, this is likely going to play out as striker vs grappler. Braga has finished both his wins this season whilst Khizriev, who may not be known as a finisher, is yet to taste defeat through 16 pro fights. After going 3-0 in Bellator, he’s extended this winning streak by beating Brett Johns and Enrique Barzola.
On the Welterweight side of the equation, it’s all about the promotion’s stable of ultra-scary Russian fighters. Two of them will meet in the main card opener and in somewhat unfortunate circumstances, it's their second fight in two months. Shamil Musaev stopped Murad Ramazanov at the end of June which makes it hard to see this immediate rematch going any differently.
The fourth play-off sees the 16-0 Magomed Umalatov meet replacement opponent Neiman Gracie. Whilst Gracie may be stepping in for Don Madge, he did defeat Madge last time out via unanimous decision which makes this match-up fitting. It will take some performance from the Gracie-family representative to hand Umalatov his first defeat following seven consecutive wins under the PFL banner.
Elsewhere on the prelim portion of the card, PFL stalwart Ray Cooper III shares the night with his cousin Kai Kamaka III. He takes on Mukhamed Berkhamov in the featured prelim whilst the likes of Enrique Barzola, Tyler Diamond, Jose Perez and Maxwell Djantou Nana will look to put in big performances to potentially earn their spots in next years tournaments.
It all goes down live from The Anthem in Washington, DC as the 2024 PFL Finals take shape with the last few key match-ups.
Words By Kyle Dimond
