PFL 9 2024 Playoffs Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Shido Boris (170.8) vs. Tyler Hill (171)

Round 1

Welterweights get the PFL 9 party started at The Anthem, where Angola’s Boris (8-1, 0-0 PFL) awaits Hill (13-10, 0-1 PFL) in a three-round clash at 170 pounds. Six of Boris’ eight career wins have resulted in finishes. Fernando Yamasaki oversees the action. Customary glove tap gets us going. Boris steps forward with wild hooks from both hands, connecting more than he misses. Hill immediately on the defensive. Boris plows forward with a takedown, climbs to a dominant position and frames an arm-triangle. He bails on the choke and settles in side control. Boris moves to a topside crucifix and drops punches on the American’s exposed face. Nowhere to go for Hill, who continues to eat punches to both sides of the head. Yamasaki looking on from above. Boris cuts of a scramble, stays in the crucifix and goes to work on a keylock. Holl rolls free, only to wander into more peril. Boris climbs on his back, flattens him and threatens with a rear-naked choke. He decides on a deeper squeeze and chooses instead to posture and punch. Hill can only shell up, forcing Yamasaki to intervene. Virtually perfect performance from Boris in his organizational debut.

The Official Result

Shido Boris def. Tyler Hill—TKO (Punches) 3:31 R1

Maxwell Djantou Nana (263.8) vs. Kent Mafileo (248)

Round 1

Heavyweights are next to the stage, as Cameroon’s Nana (5-1, 0-0 PFL) puts his five-fight winning streak on the line against “King Vee” Mafileo (6-1, 0-0 PFL). Neither man has ever gone the distance. Jason Herzog draws the officiating assignment. They greet each other in the middle of the cage, and we are underway. Nana steps forward with straight punches, a leg kick and an overhand right. Mafileo controls the center and unleashes a leg kick of his own. Nana targets the inside and outside of the lead leg with back-to-back kicks. Nana paws with his jab. Another leg kick from the Cameroonian. Mafileo steps forward with a one-two but misses both punches. Action slows. Mafileo throws out his jab and connects with a left hook. Nana unimpressed. Mafileo cuts loose with a clubbing overhand right, only to be met with a powerful leg kick. His mobility already appears compromised. Nana shoots a kick to the inside of the leg, then circles off the fence into open space. Ninety seconds to go. Herzog warns Nana for extending his figures after an inadvertent eye poke. Another crushing leg kick from Nana, then two more. Mafileo eats a body kick. Nana gets his jab in gear, fires off a one-two and ducks a sweeping left hook from his counterpart. Mafileo presses forward and shoots a front kick to the body in the closing seconds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nana
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Nana
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Nana

Round 2

They approach each other cautiously. Nana with a kick to the body and follows it with a low kick. Mafileo answers. They circle in the center of the cage. Leg kick from Mafileo. Nana circles away from the cage, ducks into a double-leg takedown and unleashes a series of hammerfists to the top of the head. Mafileo now in a seated position at the base of the cage. He builds his base and gets back to his feet. Nana completes another takedown and hovers above his opponent. Butt scoot kicks from the Cameroonian before he allows Mafileo to stand. Side kick to the knee from Nana. Mafileo’s output has dwindled noticeably. Nana backs him to the cage and fires punches from both hands. Nothing significant lands. Lead left hook from Mafileo. Leg kick from Nana. Mafileo steps forward but fails to cut off the cage and allows his adversary to shift back into open space. Right hand over the top from Nana. A minute to go in the round. Overhand right from Mafileo. Nana returns fire with a brutal right hook to the body. Another right wobbles Mafileo. Nana steps into a devastating right cross and fells Mafileo where he stands. He polishes him off with a standing-to-ground hammerfist before Herzog can arrive on the scene.

The Official Result

Maxwell Djantou Nana def. Kent Mafileo—KO (Punch) 4:50 R2

Jesse Stirn (145.6) vs. Jose Perez (145.3)

Round 1

Attention now shifts to the featherweight division, where Baltimore’s Stirn (16-6, 1-2 PFL) locks horns with a onetime Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder in Perez (8-1, 0-0 PFL) at 145 pounds. Perez makes his promotional debut on the strength of a four-fight winning streak. Mario Yamasaki steps up as the third man in the cage. Glove touch to start. Inside leg kick from Perez, who takes the center. Leg kick from Stirn, followed by a push kick to the body. Perez turns to his jab and pairs it with a low kick. Significant pressure from Perez early. He backs up Stirn with a sharp right hand. Body kick from Perez. Stern steps forward with a left hook, followed by an overhand right. Perez continues to push him onto the back foot. Left hook from Perez. Stern answers with a body kick. They trade jabs. Inside leg kick from Perez, then another. They clinch briefly, then separate. Perez beating Stirn to the punch at the moment. Stirn level changes and secures double underhooks but cannot secure the takedown. Low kick from Perez. And another. Stirn responds with a front kick to the body. They trade punches in close quarters. Perez again pressures his opponent backward with punches. Stirn moves out of range and resets. Jab from Perez, then a nice one-two. Stirn slams another front kick into his opponent’s breadbasket. They clinch in the center with 10 seconds left and exchange knees to the body.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Perez

Round 2

Perez immediately pushes to the center of the cage and gets behind his jab. Inside leg kick from Stirn, followed by a sneaky check right hook. Perez connects with a clean one-two. He steps forward with a body kick and lures Stirn into the clinch. They trade knees at close range. Sharp jab from Perez. Stirn not doing much to alter the flow of the bout. Leg kick and a jab from Perez. Stirn answers with a front kick to the body. Multi-punch volley from Perez knocks Stirn off-balance and results in his stumbling backward. More pressure from Perez. He stays busy with his jab and low kicks. Midway through the middle stanza. Perez doubles up on his jab, steps forward behind a one-two and misfires on a head kick. Leg kick from Stern briefly buckles his opponent and prompts him to clinch. Perez lands a knee up the middle and separates. Leg kick from Stirn. Perez follows a jab with an inside leg kick, staying one step ahead. Perez landing two, three and four strikes at a time, with Stirn often thrown single shots. Perez avoids a takedown attempt, threatens with a guillotine, powers Stirn to the mat and frames an arm-triangle as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Perez

Round 3

Stirn may need a finish if he wants to come out on top here. Perez steps forward with an inside leg kick, again commands the center of the cage and stays busy with his jab. Stirn scores with an outside leg kick. More jabs from Perez, followed by a body kick. Stirn just not responding with enough volume. Perez stalks from the center of the cage, throws out his jab and misses a leg kick. Nice one-two from Perez snaps back Stirn’s head. Stirn answers with a leg kick. Perez not slowing down at all. They trade right hands. Stirn misses with a flying knee and wanders into the clinch. Perez presses him to the fence. They separate. Perez briefly flirts with the Thai clinch but fails to get off anything of substance. Perez maneuvers behind Stirn, drags him to the canvas and takes the back with a body triangle. Ninety seconds to go. Perez progresses to mount and drops punches. Not a good look for Stirn. Perez floats through a scramble, makes a brief pass at an arm-triangle and settles back in mount. Punches fall. Perez cuts off all avenues of escape and cuts loose with punches until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Perez (30-27 Perez)

The Official Result

Jose Perez def. Jesse Stirn—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Tyler Diamond (145.6) vs. Enrique Barzola (145.4)

Round 1

Alternates in the featherweight playoffs collide, as Team Alpha Male’s Diamond (14-3, 3-2 PFL) takes on a fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship alum in Barzola (20-9-2, 0-2 PFL). Barzola won Season 2 of “The Ultimate Fighter” Latin America in 2015. Vitor Ribeiro administers the law and order. They touch gloves to start. Barzola pumps out his jab. Diamond answers with one of his own, then two more. Overhand right from Diamond has Barzola reeling, but the notoriously durable Peruvian appears to have recovered quickly. Jabs from Diamond as they reset. One-two from Barzola followed by a left hook. Front kick to the chest from Barzola. Diamond briefly switches stances, feints a level change and uncorks a left hook. Barzola sneaks in a shovel uppercut from the rear hand. Diamond answers a one-two with a leg kick, then feints a level change. Barzola misfires with a slashing right uppercut. Diamond circles out and hunts for a home for the right hand. Barzola responds to a few jabs with a right uppercut. They circle and trade. Diamond works a jab to the body, then knocks his opponent off-balance. Barzola steadies himself and lets his hands go. Jab from Diamond, then another. Twenty seconds left in an evenly matched first round. Diamond sprawls on a takedown attempt and cracks Barzola with a right hook.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Diamond
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Diamond
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Diamond

Round 2

Back at it for Round 2. Crisp inside leg kick from Diamond. Barzola gets busy with his jab and follows it with an overhand right. Multi-punch volley from the Peruvian connects. Diamond shoots on the hips, lifts Barzola and completes the takedown. Barzola gets to a knee and returns to his feet. Diamond stays on the hips, feeds a few knees to the legs and leans on his opponent with punches and knees. Diamond presses forward, shoots on the hips again and presses Barzola into the fence. Clear change in tactics from the American here. Barzola sprawls on a single-leg and braces himself against the cage. Diamond separates and presses forward, staying busy with punches. Barzola shuts down another takedown attempt and cracks the Team Alpha Male product with a sharp right hand. Diamond now bleeding from a cut below his left eye. He moves forward anyway and briefly secures a takedown. Barzola gets back to his feet and breaks free. Diamond moves forward behind punches from both hands. A right uppercut from Barzola finds the button and sets Diamond on unsteady footing. Barzola rushes in, powers him onto all fours and lets loose with unanswered punches. A near finish, but the bell saves Diamond.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barzola
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barzola
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Barzola

Round 3

Anyone’s fight to start the third round. Barzola forgets his mouthpiece, resulting in a brief pause. Jab from Diamond upon the restart. One-two from Barzola. Diamond shoots on a single-leg. Barzola sprawls an stifles the attempt. He threatens Diamond’s neck, to no avail. Diamond stays on the single-leg, then fires in combination as they separate. Barzola connects with a left hook, then a one-two. A right uppercut sends Diamond’s mouthpiece flying. Barzola cuts off another takedown attempt with a perfect sprawl and short punches to the side of the head. Midway through the round. Barzola bites down on a front headlock and scrambles out of the takedown. Diamond finally completes it, only for Barzola to immediately get back to his feet. Barzola delivers another uppercut to the jaw and sprawls on a takedown. Diamond powers forward with a brief takedown. Barzola gets to his feet, slides into open space and lets his hands go. Barzola level changes in the center of the cage and completes a double-leg takedown. He wins the ensuing scramble and sneaks behind Diamond. Barzola drops punches to tie a bow on an apparent victory.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Barzola (29-28 Barzola)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Barzola (29-28 Barzola)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Barzola (29-28 Barzola)

The Official Result

Enrique Barzola def. Tyler Diamond—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Ray Cooper III (171) vs. Mukhamed Berkhamov (170.5)

Round 1

Welterweights close out the undercard, as Cooper (25-10-1, 12-5-1 PFL), a two-time PFL champion, toes the line against Berkhamov (15-1, 0-0 PFL) in the featured prelim at 170 pounds. Cooper sports 23 finishes among his 25 pro victories, 16 of them by knockout. Fernando Yamasaki serves as the referee. They step to the center of the cage and engage. Berkhamov leaning on his lead hand and reach advantage to keep the Hawaiian at bay. Leg kick from Berkhamov, who level changes on a takedown attempt. Cooper easily stuffs it and forces a tie-up. Berkhamov breaks free and pumps out his jab. Cooper with a beautiful takedown in the center of the cage. The Hawaiian sets up in half guard and goes to work on an arm-triangle. Cooper bails on the choke. Berkhamov looking to scramble while he controls a wrist. Cooper interferes with those plans. Berkhamov breaks free and gets back to his feet. He fires a knee up the middle. Berkhamov grabs the Thai clinch and starts hammering away with knees upstairs. Cooper breaks free with a minute to go. Berkhamov steps into a knee to the head and wobbles the two-time PFL champ. Cooper ducks into a takedown, bails on it and connects with a left hook. Berkhamov retreats and prevents a follow-up attack. Leg kicks from Berkhamov, who paws with his jab and denies a takedown to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov

Round 2

They trade jabs to open the middle stanza. Berkhamov sneaks a right hand over the top and follows it with a leg kick. Cooper struggling to close the distance now and narrowly misses on a wild overhand right. Berkhamov pops him with a jab. Cooper answers and gives chase but fails to corner his opponent. Berkhamov changes levels. Cooper shuts down the takedown. Berkhamov gets back to his jab, shrugs off a left hook from the Hawaiian and pumps out a jab-backfist combo. Cooper not putting together sustained offense here. Berkhamov continues to chip away with his jab and circles away from return fire. Cooper marches forward, eats a jab and allows his counterpart to slide out of danger. Slapping right hook from Berkhamov. Cooper denies a takedown and shoots a right hand to the body. Methodical pace from Berkhamov, who fires his jab and feints a takedown. Cooper cracks him with a left hook with 10 seconds to go, but it amounts to nothing.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov

Round 3

Cooper likely needs a finish. They clinch at the start. Berkhamov feeds the Hawaiian few jabs, then a leg kick. Cooper whiffs on a left hook. Sharp inside leg kick from Berkhamov, who grabs the Thai clinch and scores with a knee upstairs before resetting. Cooper limited to single shots now. Berkhamov eats a right hand. Berkhamov powers into a double-leg takedown and moves behind the Hawaiian as they scramble back to their feet. Berkhamov bullies him to the canvas again and forces Cooper into a kneeling position. Midway through the round, and neither the pace nor the direction of the fight favors the Hawaiian. Cooper gets back to his feet, only to have Berkhamov drag him back to the mat. Discouraging development for Cooper. Berkhamov content to ride out the clock, as he crowds Cooper on the canvas. Cooper gets back to his feet, but Berkhamov trips him back to the ground. Cooper looks increasingly like a man resigned to his fate. Cooper gets back to his feet with 20 seconds left. Berkhamov feed him a jab and a head kick, followed by a front kick to the face, prevent Cooper from getting off any offense.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov (30-27 Berkhamov)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov (30-27 Berkhamov)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Berkhamov (30-27 Berkhamov)

The Official Result

Mukhamed Berkhamov def. Ray Cooper III—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Shamil Musaev (170.2) vs. Murad Ramazanov (171)

Round 1

The first of two welterweight semifinals kicks off the main card, where Ramazanov (12-1, 1-1 PFL) sets his sights on a rematch with the unbeaten and top-seeded Musaev (16-0-1, 2-0 PFL). Golden Team’s Musaev put away Ramazanov with punches in the second round of their PFL 6 encounter on June 28. Mario Yamasaki oversees the action. Glove touch gets us started. Ramazanov pressures Musaev onto his back foot, feints a level change and eats a leg kick. Inside leg kick from Musaev and fires a long left hook behind it. Ramazanov shoots on the hips, crowds his countryman into the cage and tries in vain to secure a takedown. Stellar balance from Musaev. Ramazanov stays on the hips. Midway through the round, and not much has happened. Ramazanov finally gets a takedown but fails to corral Musaev. Nevertheless, he continues to crowd Musaev at close range. Musaev sprawls on a takedown attempt, lets his hands fly and connects with a knee. Ramazanov ducks under a wheel kick. Musaev with a late flurry.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Musaev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Musaev
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Musaev

Round 2

They greet one another in the center of the cage. Musaev fires straight punches from both hands. Ramazanov responds with a sharp jab. A spinning attack from Musaev triggers a clinch. Ramazanov gets in on the hips but cannot get Musaev to the ground. Grueling grappling exchanges here. Musaev executes a takedown of his own 90 seconds into the round, using a trip from the body lock. Ramazanov on all fours eating punches. Musaev increases the intensity of his shots. Ramazanov works to build a base, though fatigue appears to be a factor in his efforts. Musaev rips punches from behind to the head and knees to the legs once Ramazanov gets to his feet. Ramazanov turns and faces. Musaev immediately scores with an inside trip and takes top position. Round 2 not going as Ramazanov had hoped. Musaev works from the rear waistlock, feeding his opponent punches and knees before slinging him back to the mat. Ramazanov back on all fours. Musaev powers into top position. Ramazanov scrambles to his feet, only to absorb a multi-strike volley punctuated by a knee. Musaev shuts down a desperation takedown to close the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Musaev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Musaev
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Musaev

Round 3

Ramazanov likely needs a finish to keep his pursuit of a $1 million payday alive. Musaev circles on the outside and scores with an inside leg kick. Ramazanov shoots and gets shut down. He looks weary. Musaev uncorks a sharp three-punch burst, angles away from danger and resets. Musaev just picking his spots here as the fresher man. Ramazanov in complete defensive mode. Musaev lures him into the clinch, forces him to grapple and separates. Ramazanov shoots, gets met with a sprawl and winds up in the clinch. Musaev breaks away and continues to chip away with two- and three-punch flurries. They clinch again, with Musaev pressing his opponent into the fence. One he breaks free, he scores with punches from both hands. Jab from Musaev, who ducks in on a single-leg and secures a takedown with roughly 75 seconds left. Ramazanov gets back to his feet and clinches. Yamasaki separates the two semifinalists and warns Ramazanov for grabbing the glove. Musaev greets him with rapid-fire punches upon the restart. He clinches and bleeds the rest of the time off the clock as the crowd boos.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Musaev (30-27 Musaev)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Musaev (30-27 Musaev)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Musaev (30-27 Musaev)

The Official Result

Shamil Musaev def. Murad Ramazanov—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Gabriel Braga (146) vs. Timur Khizriev (145.8)

Round 1

The spotlight now shifts to the first of two featherweight semifinals, as the second-seeded Braga (14-1, 6-1 PFL) does battle with the undefeated Khizriev (16-0, 2-0 PFL) at 145 pounds. Tropa Thai’s Braga was a PFL finalist in 2023. Ribeiro draws the officiating assignment. They tap gloves and get down to business. They circle in the center of the cage, trading punches and low kicks. Braga denies the Russian’s first takedown attempt. Rear-leg front kick to the body from Khizriev. Body kick from Braga. Khizriev circles on the outside, steps into jab, resets and fires two more. Braga answers with a low kick. Jab to the head, hook to the body from Khizriev. Braga switches stances, eats a few hooks to the body and shields himself from further punches. Khizriev resets and sends out a sharp jab. Right hook to the body from the Russian. Braga paws with his jab. They trade leg kicks. Ninety seconds to go in the round. Low kick from Braga. Push kick to the knee from Khizriev, who shoots and secures a takedown. Braga retreats to the fence, builds a base and gets back to his feet. Khizriev punches on the break, misfires on a takedown and eats a left hook to the body. Inside leg kick from Khizriev. Braga drives home a leg kick, only to be countered by a quick one-two.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Khizreiv
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev

Round 2

They meet in the middle to start the second round. Khizriev moves his feet, pumps out his jab and scores with push kicks to the leg. Right hand over the top from Braga. Khizriev follows a double jab with a right hook to the body. Braga with a thudding kick to the lead leg. The Brazilian mostly operating behind single strikes. Khizriev scores to the body with hooks from both hands, then doubles up on his jab before dodging the return fire. Strong jab from the Russian. Braga ineffective to this point. Khizriev steps in with punches and exits the pocket before Braga can respond. They trade jabs. Front kick to the body from Khizriev, who continues to befuddle the Brazilian with output and movement. Khizriev again doubles up on the jab. Superman punch from the Russian narrowly misses. More jabs from Khizriev. Braga now bleeding from the nose as time ticks away in the round. They exchange as the clock expires.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev

Round 3

Khizriev shoots on a takedown to start Round 3. Braga defends his advances and breaks away into open space. The Brazilian shoots a jab to the body. Khizriev, likely in possession of a two rounds to none lead, circle outside. Brag starting to up the aggression here and connects with a punishing kick to the lower leg. Khizriev doubles up on the jab. Braga stalking from the center of the cage. Khizriev stays calm, switches stances and slides just out of range. Khizriev scoring with counters and continues to lean on hos jab. Braga delivers a one-two, punctuated by a right hand over the top. Khizriev barely acknowledges it. Braga shuts down a takedown. Khizriev sends a body kick crashing into the Brazilian’s midsection, circles and flicks out two jabs. Braga running low on time. Ninety seconds left. Braga hunting one-twos and scores with a leg kick. Left hook to the body from Brag. They trade jabs. Body kick from Braga. Khizriev answers with a jab. Leg kick from Braga. Twenty seconds left. Braga shrugs off a single-leg and lets the punches fly until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Braga (29-28 Khizriev)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Braga (29-28 Khizriev)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Khizriev (30-27 Khizriev)

The Official Result

Timur Khizriev def. Gabriel Braga—Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)

Magomed Umalatov (170) vs. Neiman Gracie (170)

Round 1

The second welterweight semifinal takes the co-headlining slot, as the second-seeded Umalatov (16-0, 7-0 PFL) puts his unblemished record on the line against Gracie (13-5, 1-1 PFL) at 170 pounds. A longtime Bellator MMA staple, Gracie fills in for the injured Don Madge on short notice. The winner moves on to face Shamil Musaev in the $1 million final. Herzog steps up as the third man in the cage. Jab from Umalatov opens the match. Gracie operates from the center of the cage and flicks out his jab. Leg kick from the Brazilian. Umalatov throws in combination. They exchange jabs. Gracie tries to pull guard. Umalatov shrugs it off and beckons him back to his feet. Jab from Umalatov, followed by a stinging low kick. Umalatov clips him with a sneaky right hook. One-two from the Russian. Both men feint kicks. Umalatov steps into a sharp right hand and briefly stuns Gracie. He recovers without issue, though it might be harbinger of what’s to come. Umalatov barely misses a front kick up the middle. Action stalls. Umalatov showing less and less respect for the Brazilian’s standup as time goes on. Knee up the middle from Umalatov, whose comfort level seems to be growing. Body kick from the Russian. Gracie answers with a leg kick as the round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov

Round 2

Round 2 starts with Gracie marching forward. Umalatov throws out a one-two and follows it with a leg kick. He catches a kick, dumps Gracie to the canvas and invites the Brazilian to stand. Umalatov steps into a right hand and throws kicks to the inside and outside of Gracie’s lead leg. Jab from the Russian. Gracie answer but looks out of his depth on the feet. Multi-punch volley from the Bellator mainstay. Gracie follows two jabs with a sweeping right hook. It was a glancing blow. Umalatov shrugs off a clinch and sneaks in a right hand over the top before connecting with a left hook. Jab from Umalatov, then a low kick. Gracie telegraphs and misfires on a spinning backfist. Right hand over the top from Umalatov. Another right nearly turns Gracie round in the middle of the cage. Gracie getting his jab in gear now. Far more competitive round. Gracie changes levels, but Umalatov shuts down the single-leg. They clinch. Gracie throws knees to the legs and appears to be bleeding from a cut above his right eye. Jab from Umalatov, who then knocks an airborne and off-balance Gracie to the canvas as the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov

Round 3

They hurl punches at one another at the start of the third round. Gracie applying pressure. An overhand right clips Gracie and forces him to retreat to his back. Umalatov gives chase with punches and hammerfists before settling in full guard. Shoulder strikes from the Russian, who undoubtedly wants to get back to his feet and away from Gracie’s venomous ground game. Gracie swivels his hips and hunts a kneebar. Umalatov frees himself and gets back to his feet, then lands a left hook. Clubbing overhand right from Gracie. They trade in the pocket with some dirty boxing exchanges. Gracie transitions from a flying armbar to an attempted leg lock. Herzog wants Umalatov for grabbing the fence. The Russian powers into top position and maintains heavy hips. Gracie flirts with a gogoplata, but Umalatov sees it coming. He goes for the rarely successful choke again as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov (30-27 Umalatov)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov (30-27 Umalatov)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Umalatov (30-27 Umalatov)

The Official Result

Magomed Umalatov def. Neiman Gracie—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Brendan Loughnane (146) vs. Kai Kamaka III (145.6)

Round 1

Featherweights close the show in the second semifinal at 145 pounds, where the top-seeded Loughnane (29-5, 11-2 PFL) tackles Kamaka (14-5-1, 2-0 PFL) in the main event. Kamaka has rattled off five straight victories. The winner advances to take on Timur Khizriev in the $1 million featherweight final. Mario Yamasaki administers the law and order. No glove touch. Kamaka greets the Englishman with a sharp leg kick. Loughnane deploys his jab. Leg kick from Loughnane. Kamaka jabs the body and targets the leg with another kick. Spinning back kick to the body from Loughnane. He follows with a kick to the leg. Kamaka counters with an overhand right. Both men switching stances routinely. Jab from Loughnane. Neither man seizing the initiative yet. Loughnane follows a jab with a leg kick and a left hook. They trade low kicks. Lots of starts and stops with this one so far. Kamaka working well on the counter. Jab from Loughnane. Sixty seconds to go in the round. Sharp one-two from Loughnane. Spinning back kick from Loughnane appeared to hurt the Hawaiian. He gives chase and tees off with knees and punches. Loughnane floors him with a knee and drops punishment from a standing position until the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane

Round 2

Leg kick from Loughnane to start Round 2. Kamaka returns fire with punches upstairs but eats another spinning back kick to the body. Leg kick from Loughnane, then another. Kamaka steps into a one-two and digs a hook to the body. Spinning back kick to the body from Loughnane. Kamaka blocks it but redirects the impact south of the border. They restart after a brief pause. Left hook-right cross from Kamaka. Loughnane answers with a jab. Spinning back kick to the body from the Englishman. Leg kick from Loughnane. Nice check hook from Kamaka. One-two from the Hawaiian, then another. Leg kick from Loughnane. Kamaka blocks a high kick, then sets of an exchange in the middle of the cage. Neither man worse for wear. Close round. Loughnane sneaks in a head kick late in the period, then pops Kamaka with his jab.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kamaka
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kamaka
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Kamaka

Round 3

Loughnane slams a kick into the Hawaiian’s lead leg. Kamaka answers with a body kick. One-two from the Hawaiian, then another. Jab from Kamaka. Loughnane clinches and eats a close-range knee to the body. Kamaka outpacing the Englishman so far. Front kick to the body from Kamaka. Loughnane responds with a jab, then a one-two. Leg kick from Loughnane. Kamaka gets busy with his jab. Front kick to the body from Loughnane, who paws with his jab, misses with a head kick and again targets the leg. Kamaka circles out into open space and resets. Loughnane leaning on low kicks and jabs. Kamaka connects with a one-two over the top and sprawls on an attempted takedown. They trade jabs. Loughnane steps into a right hook and follows it with a body kick. Ninety second to go, and the outcome might still be in doubt. Spinning back kick to the body from Loughnane, who follows with a one-two and a low kick. Jab from Kamaka and a push kick to the midsection. Loughnane fires a head kick, though it is partially blocked. They trade punches at the end. Loughnane connects with a one-two and another spinning back kick.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane (29-28 Loughnane)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kamaka (29-28 Kamaka)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Loughnane (29-28 Loughnane)

The Official Result

Brendan Loughnane def. Kai Kamaka III—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)