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

Gemma Auld (124.6) vs. Weronika Pietruszka (124.6)

Round 1

Women’s flyweight newcomers the ball rolling at the OVO Hydro, as Scotland’s Auld (0-0, 0-0 PFL) takes on Poland’s Pietruszka (0-0, 0-0 PFL). Dan Movahedi oversees the action. No glove touch. Pietruszka greets the Scot with a low kick, then completes a takedown. She moves to half guard. Auld sweeps into top position from butterfly guard and lands in side control. Punches follow. Auld flirts with the knee-on-belly position, then shifts back to side control. More punches. Pietruszka rolls into an armbar attempt, but the bid fails. Auld takes a dominant position and postures with punches and hammerfists. Pietruszka reclaims full guard. Auld continues to attack with punches. Pietruszka makes another pass at an armbar. Auld stacks in response and looks to be clear. She transition to side control with 90 seconds to go in the round, then unleashes a few hammerfists. Pietruszka rolls into another armbar. Auld frees herself yet again, takes top position and cuts loose with punches and hammerfists. Pietruszka turtles and fails to answer the referee’s repeated calls to protect herself.

The Official Result

Gemma Auld def. Weronika Pietruszka—TKO (Punches) 4:50 R1

Matiss Zaharovs (135.8) vs. Brian Hyslop (136)

Round 1

Attention shifts to the bantamweight division, where Latvia’s Zaharovs (6-3, 0-1 PFL) awaits Scotland’s Hyslop (6-3, 0-0 PFL) at 135 pounds. Derek Hickey draws the officiating assignment. Hyslop tests the waters with leg kicks. Zaharovs presses forward behind his seven-inch reach advantage, flicks out his jab and counters a multi-punch volley from the Scot with a counter right hook. Zaharovs answering low kicks with counters upstairs. A clubbing overhand left connects for the Latvian. Hyslop responds with a lead left hook, only to be met with a slapping body kick. Zaharovs switching stances, settles in a southpaw stance and eats a left hook to the jab. Midway through the round. Hyslop shoots on a single-leg takedown but goes nowhere. Zaharovs breaks free and fires a left hook to the body before floating back into open space. One-two from Zaharovs, who follows up with a pair of knees from the collar tie. A kick south of the border doubles over Hyslop and results in a brief pause to the action. Back to business. Nice two-punch burst from Hyslop. Zaharovs working behind his jab and narrowly misses a left hook. Hyslop feeds him a low kick, then shoots on a single-leg and backs his counterpart to the fence. They jockey for position and trade punches. Zaharovs initiates a takedown but winds up briefly on his back. He scrambles back to his feet and executes a takedown just before the horn sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Zaharovs
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zaharovs
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Zaharovs

Round 2

Zaharovs steps forward in a southpaw stance and eats two inside leg kicks. He snatches the collar tie and slams home a knee to the face. Hyslop drops to all fours, then retreats to his back. Zaharovs works punches from top position and manages to pass to half guard. The SBG Ireland rep hammers away with short punches and shoulder strikes. Ground-and-pound increasing in intensity. Hyslop struggling to find an effective avenue of escape. Two minutes to go in the period. Zaharovs frames a kimura, then abandons the submission and gets back to punching. He bites down on a guillotine choke, but Hyslop rolls and frees himself. Zaharovs climbs to full mount, then transitions to the back. He immediately threatens the neck. Zaharovs cinches the rear-naked choke, tightens his squeeze and forces the tap.

The Official Result

Matiss Zaharovs def. Brian Hyslop—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 4:18 R2

Lorenzo Parente (155.8) vs. Stefano Catacoli (155.8)

Round 1

Lightweights are next to the stage, as Scotland’s Parente (3-0, 0-0 PFL) tackles England’s Catacoli (8-2, 0-0 PFL) at 155 pounds. Paul Crossley oversees the action. No glove touch. Parente circles on the outside and uncorks two leg kicks, one to the inside and another to the outside. Catacoli shuts down a takedown attempt and jockeys for position in the clinch. Parente shoots a knee to the body. Catacoli reverses a takedown into top position and looks to activate his ground-and-pound. Parente rolls into an armbar, brings his hips into play and forces the tapout.

The Official Result

Lorenzo Parente def. Stefano Catacoli—Submission (Armbar) 1:45 R1

Mark Ewen (156) vs. Yassin Chtatou (154.6)

Round 1

Lightweights keep the line moving in Glasgow, as Scotland’s Ewen (5-1, 0-1 PFL) locks horns with France’s Chtatou (5-3, 0-0 PFL). Hickey answers the call as the third man in the cage. Front kick to start from Ewen. Chtatou fires back but misses. Ewen level changes, shoots on a double-leg and completes the takedown. He feeds the Frenchman a left hand and climbs higher toward mount. More left hands follow. Chtatou gets back to his feet, only to be dumped back to the mat. Heavy punches from Ewen. Chtatou backs him up with upkicks. Ewen sprawls on an attempted takedown from his opponent, snakes his arms in place for the brabo choke and sits back, prompting the tapout.

The Official Result

Mark Ewen def. Yassin Chtatou—Submission (Brabo Choke) 2:30 R1

Karolina Wojcik (126) vs. Paulina Wisniewska (125.6)

Round 1

An all-Poland women’s flyweight semifinal now lights up the PFL Europe 3 stage, as Wojcik (12-5, 1-0 PFL) toes the line against the undefeated Wisniewska (3-0, 1-0 PFL). Movahedi serves as the referee. Wisniewska greets her countrywoman with a leg kick. Wojcik circles on the outside and cuts loose with two looping power punches. She darts in and out with punches and moves in to complete a takedown in the center of the cage. Wojcik stands and eats an upkick, then dives into guard. She stacks her way toward side control. Wisniewska stays active on her back, forces her opponent to stand and prompts a restart. Wisniewska clinches along the fence and uncorks a few knees to the body, then mixes in one to the head. Movahedi asks for more action. They trade knees at close range. Action stalls. Movahedi restarts them and Wisniewska immediately drops her adversary with a right hand. She pounces with punches and scrambles to the back, at which point she begins her hunt for cranks and chokes. Looks like Wojcik is going to survive. Bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska

Round 2

Back at it in the middle stanza. Wisniewska takes the center of the cage, walks forward with short steps and initiates the clinch. They trade knees along the fence. Movahedi again asks for action. Short punches from Wisniewska. Wojcik answers with a few knees to the inner thigh. Referee restarts them. Nice one-two from Wisniewska, who once again powers into the clinch. Knees to the body from Wojcik. Wisniewska answers in kind. Midway through the round. Wojcik secures double underhooks and turns her opponent to the fence. Wisniewska re-pummels and reverses. Action stalls, resulting in another restart. Low kick from Wisniewska, who crashes forward with punches and initiates another clinch. She breaks away with punches and gets back to the tie-up. More plodding and plotting against the fence, where not much happens. Twenty seconds left. Wojcik tries to break free, only to be corralled.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska

Round 3

Wojcik likely needs a finish as Round 3 gets underway. Wisniewska lures her opponent back into the clinch, where they trade knees. Wojcik braces against the fence, as Wisniewska forces her to carry her weight. Wojcik works her way off the fence briefly. Wisniewska feeds her a knee to the body and controls the situation. This has been all about Wisniewska’s ability to impose her will. Action slows against the cage, though Wisniewska scores with knees to the midsection. Wojcik finally breaks free. Wisniewska unloads with multiple punches and returns to the clinch. They exchange knees and short punches. Wisniewska lets her hands go, then presses Wojcik into the fence. One minute to go. Movahedi restarts them. Wojcik grabs the collar-tie and scores with some dirty boxing. However, Wisniewska gets back to the clinch and turns her into the fence. Knees to the legs and a flurry of punches close it out.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska (30-27 Wisniewska)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska (30-27 Wisniewska)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Wisniewska (30-27 Wisniewska)

The Official Result

Paulina Wisniewska def. Karolina Wojcik—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Valentina Scatizzi (125.6) vs. Shanelle Dyer (126)

Round 1

Action moves to the second women’s flyweight semifinal, where England’s Dyer (5-0, 2-0 PFL) sets her sights on Italy’s Scatizzi (3-2, 2-1 PFL). Hickey administers the law and order. Jab and a clean one-two from Scatizzi to get started. Dyer connects with a low kick, then two more. The Great Britain Top Team prospect gets her jab going and continues to target the leg with kicks. Overhand right from Scatizzi. Dyer answers with a low kick and dodges return fire. Front kick to the thigh from Dyer. Scatizzi switches stances already to protect her leg, then returns to orthodox. Another kick from Dyer. She connects with a front kick to the face. Now targeting the body, head and legs. Beautiful double jab from Dyer, who has slowly but surely taken control. Too many weapons for Scatizzi to contend with here. Dyer scores with another low kick and follows with a one-two. Scatizzi shoots on a single-leg. Denied. Another level change from Scatizzi. Denied again. Scatizzi powers into the clinch but cannot control her opponent. Close-range knees from Dyer. Ten seconds to go. Scatizzi charges forward for a takedown attempt but goes nowhere.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dyer
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dyer
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Dyer

Round 2

Dyer greets the Italian with a jab. Scatizzi presses forward with punches and connects with a right hand over the top. Dyer targets the leg with kicks. Another right hand from Scatizzi finds a home. Dyer surprises her counterpart with a takedown and sets up in full guard. Scatizzi scrambles to her feet and narrowly avoids a head kick. She moves forward with punches, her efforts highlighted by an effective jab. Dyer shuts down a takedown attempt. They clinch along the fence and trade knees to the body. They break way into open space. Dyer cuts loose with kicks to the body, then connects to the leg. Beautiful overhand right from Dyer. Scatizzi withstands the impact and moves forward. Body kick from Dyer. Strong one-two from Scatizzi. Dyer circles. They trade left hands. Scatizzi connects with a left hook. Shockingly competitive round. Dyer counters with a four-punch volley. Scatizzi refuses to give ground. Flying knee from Dyer. Scatizzi eats it and clinches along the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dyer
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dyer
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Dyer

Round 3

Scatizzi not out of this yet. She presses ahead with punches. Dyer circles on the outside, hunting openings. Sharp double left hook from the unbeaten prospect. Scatizzi has effectively weaponized her aggression. They trade left hands. Dyer lands a kick to the body and cuts off her opponent’s advances with an uppercut and a knee to the body. Front kick to the midsection from Dyer. Scatizzi clinches. Dyer denies a takedown attempt, creates some space and breaks free. Scatizzi throwing everything behind her punches, often grunting at the end of them. Body kick from Dyer. They exchange left hands over the top. Noticeable swelling on Scatizzi’s forehead. Front kick to the face from Dyer, who follows it with a knee from the collar tie. Ninety seconds to go. If nothing else, Scatizzi has pushed the prospect far more than expected. Dyer scores with a knee to the body and another to the head. Scatizzi presses her into the fence but lacks the technique and power to get her opponent to the mat. Dyer breaks into open space and backs up a left uppercut with a narrowly missed head kick. Body kick from Dyer, who follows it with a flying knee while moving backward. They close in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Dyer (30-27 Dyer)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Dyer (30-27 Dyer)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Dyer (30-27 Dyer)

The Official Result

Shanelle Dyer def. Valentina Scatizzi—Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Connor Hughes (155.6) vs. Ignacio Capella (155.8)

Round 1

They keep the line moving with a lightweight semifinal pitting England’s Hughes (9-1, 2-1 PFL) against Spain’s Capella (8-1, 1-0 PFL). Crossley oversees the action. They touch gloves and get down to business. Hughes fires a low kick, darts in and out with feints and misses a head kick. Capella jabs at the body. Inside low kick from Hughes. Capella answers with an overhand right. The Spaniard lands a kick to the outside of the lead leg, then counters a low kick with another thudding overhand right. Understandable caution between the two men. Low kick from Hughes. The Englishman lands a counter left hook. Powerful low kick from Capella, who is telegraphing a lot of his shots. Hughes tests out a hook kick, narrowly missing the target. Capella holding the center of the cage. Nice one-two from Hughes. Sweeping hooks from Capella. Hughes works his jab, feints and fires another hook kick, this one with more authority.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Capella

Round 2

Hughes opens with a hook kick to the chest. Capella swings and misses with wild hooks from both hands. Hughes continues to target the lower extremities with kicks, then fires a side kick to the face. Clubbing left hook from Capella, who is relying too heavily on low-percentage shots. Jab from Hughes, followed by a one-two. Midway through the round. Hughes managing distance beautifully, connecting with punches and avoiding return fire. Inside leg kick from Hughes. Capella now bleeding from a cut near his right eye. Sharp one-two from Hughes, followed by a body kick. Capella still moving forward and lands a right hook to the body. Hughes circles on the outside, sets his feet and lands an inside low kick. Capella fires off multiple power punches. Most miss the mark. Hughes gets back on the jab, ducks an overhand right and lands a side kick to the thigh. Desperation growing from Capella, who delivers a right hook to the body. Bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Hughes
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Hughes

Round 3

They hug to start the third round, showing some mutual respect. Hughes hammers home an inside leg kick. Capella presses forward. They clinch, then break away. Clubbing punches from Capella. Body kick from Hughes, followed by a one-two. Capella shuts down a takedown attempt and scores with a lead left hook. Swelling around the Spaniard’s right eye. Hughes shoots on a double-leg but makes little progress and bails. Capella presses forward behind his jab. More leg kicks from Hughes. Midway through the round. Capella presses into the clinch, and they jockey for position. Capella breaks away and stalks. Level change from Hughes, but Capella shuts down the takedown with an effective sprawl. They wander back into the clinch. Hughes shoves the Spaniard away. Capella sneaks in a right hook at the end of a combination. Hughes grazes the jaw with a head kick. Capella drives into top position after a failed takedown from Hughes. He sets up in half guard with a minute left on the clock. Hughes neutralizes him from the bottom and peels valuable time off the clock. Twenty seconds to go. Mild ground-and-pound from Capella as the bout ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Capella (29-28 Hughes)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Capella (29-28 Hughes)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Capella (29-28 Capella)

The Official Result

Connor Hughes def. Ignacio Capella—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Daniele Scatizzi (154.2) vs. Jakub Kaszuba (154.8)

Round 1

Italy’s Scatizzi (13-7, 1-0 PFL) battles an undefeated defending PFL Europe champion in Poland’s Kaszuba (12-0, 4-0 PFL) in the other lightweight semifinal. Movahedi draws the officiating assignment. Scatizzi stars with a double jab. Kaszuba closes the distance, eats a knee to the gut and settles into the clinch. Scatizzi turns him into the fence. Kaszuba scores with knees to the body and breaks free. Kaszuba doubles up on his jab, feints and shoots on the legs. Scatizzi defends it perfectly and turns him into the cage. Knee to the face from Kaszuba. They exchange close-range shots along the fence, some to the head, others to the body. Knees to the head from Kaszuba. Two minutes to go. They continue to jockey for position in the clinch, with neither man establishing superiority. Scatizzi fails on a lateral drop and quickly scrambles back to his feet. Scatizzi presses the Pole into the cage. Knees to the body from Kaszuba. Close round with a minute left. They trade knees to the body. Scatizzi powers him back into the fence. Uppercuts from the Italian, who lands a knee to the body. Kaszuba breaks away as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba

Round 2

Kaszuba ups the aggression to start the second round. He flurries to the body and head. Scatizzi clinches and scores with a few short-range knees to the body. Kaszuba answers with slapping punches to the ribcage. Foot stomps from Scatizzi. They trade knees. Kaszuba drops down on the hips and works hard for a takedown. No luck. Kaszuba drops down again and completes the takedown this time. He moves toward the back and cuts off escape. However, Scatizzi makes his way back to an upright position. Kaszuba drags him to the mat a second time. Again, Scatizzi stands. Back in the clinch, they exchange knees and punches. Scatizzi feeds two knees to his counterpart’s exposed midsection. Exhausting stuff from both men. Kaszuba drops down on the hips, sheds a guillotine choke and sets up shop in full guard. He briefly progresses to the back but allows Scatizzi to escape to his feet. Thirty seconds on the clock. Scatizzi leans on the Pole, then they trade power punches out of nowhere. Back to the clinch after the flurry. Kaszuba connects with a glancing knee before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba

Round 3

Kaszuba takes the center of the cage and slams home a right hand. Leg kick from the Pole. Scatizzi unloads with punches in response but fails to connect clean. Kaszuba ducks into a takedown attempt, clinches briefly and delivers a right uppercut. They break free. Kaszuba snaps back the Italian’s head with a counter right hand. Scatizzi moves forward. Kaszuba responds by doubling up on left hooks. They clinch against the fence. Scatizzi separates and scores with an inside leg kick. Kaszuba closes the distance behind punches and pounds the midsection with a knee. They clinch again, then separate. Close-range punches from both men. Back to the clinch for Scatizzi. He drops in on an attempted takedown, though Kaszuba defends without issue. Two minutes to go. Kaszuba doubles up on a jab, then fires a strong right hand to the body. Scatizzi welcomes him back into the clinch and lifts his counterpart but fails to complete the takedown. Kaszuba turns him to the fence and drags him to the canvas, setting off a scramble. Neither man gains an advantage, and they return to their feet. Kaszuba controls a body lock and briefly threatens to move to the back. They clinch with 10 seconds to go and exchange punches until the end.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba (30-27 Kaszuba)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Scatizzi (29-28 Kaszuba)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Kaszuba (30-27 Kaszuba)

The Official Result

Jakub Kaszuba def. Daniele Scatizzi—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Ibrahima Mane (170.8) vs. Daniele Miceli (170.4)

Round 1

Attention shifts to the first of two welterweight semifinals, where France’s Mane (13-4, 1-0 PFL) does battle with Italy’s Miceli (12-5, 1-0 PFL) at 170 pounds. Hickey answers the call as the third man in the cage. Miceli greets the Frenchman with a leg kick. Mane cuts loose with a front kick to the body and knee, then defends a takedown. Leg kick from Miceli. Mane backs him to the fence and targets the body with kicks. Miceli decks his adversary with two short-range uppercuts and pounces with a burst of unanswered punches to prompt a stunning stoppage.

The Official Result

Daniele Miceli def. Ibrahima Mane—TKO (Punches) 1:26 R1

Jack Grant (170.8) vs. Florim Zendeli (170.6)

Round 1

Next on the PFL Europe 3 docket: England’s Grant (20-8, 1-1 PFL) confronts Albania’s Zendeli (6-1-1, 1-0 PFL) in the other welterweight semifinal. Crossley serves as the referee. No glove touch. Grant opens with a pair of low kicks, then another. Zendeli fires a front kick to the gut that strays below the belt and results a brief pause to the action. They trade kicks upon the restart. Zendeli activates his jab. Grant lures his opponent into the clinch. Zendeli warned for another low blow, this time a knee. Grant switches stances. Side kick to the body from Zendeli. Grant wobbles him with a left hook, then clinches. They trade knees. Zendeli pushes the Englishman into the fence and fires a few short punches. They break free. Zendeli gets on his jab, lands a right hand over the top and drives a right hook into the body. Counter right hook from Grant. Zendeli staggers, and Grant floors him with another right hook. Blood pours from Zendeli’s nose as he clinches out of desperation. Grant creates some space, and they swing away at one another before wandering back into the clinch. Knees to the midsection from Grant. Crossley asks for increased action, then restarts them. They clinch again in the center of the cage before the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Grant

Round 2

Cautious start to the middle stanza. Grant blocks two body kicks, then staves off a takedown. Short left hook from Zendeli, who works his way into a takedown. Grant stands. Zendeli moves behind him and shoots knees to the thigh. Grant gets back to a chest-to-chest position. Zendeli scores with knees to the body. Crossley separates them midway through the round. Grant connects with a right hook on the restart. Zendeli reaching on his punches. Grant lands a knee up the middle. Sharp right uppercut from Zendeli, followed by a strong jab. Knees to the body from the Italian. Grant loses his footing on a flying armbar attempt and winds up on all fours eating punches. Zendeli climbs to the back, withstands a scramble and stays attached. Both men bleeding now. Forty seconds to go. Zendeli flirts with a rear-naked choke as his opponent rises to a crouched position. He stays on the back in the waning seconds. Grant escapes but fails to do anything with the remaining time.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Zendeli
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Zendeli
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Zendeli

Round 3

Grant steps forward with front kicks and wild right hooks. Close-range knee from the collar-tie for Grant. He sprawls on a takedown, initiates a scramble and breaks free. Another takedown attempt from Zendeli goes nowhere. Grant maneuvers onto his opponent’s back but slips free. Zendeli’s nose is dumping blood all over the canvas. Zendeli, one his knees, clings to his counterpart’s hips. Grant widens his base to avoid being taken down. Crossley restarts them in the center of the cage after the action stalls. Grant clinches and drives home knees to the body. Zendeli presses him into the fence. Grant gets away with a clear fence grab while Zendeli works for a takedown. He still gets Grant to the ground. Zendeli moves onto the back. Grant shakes free and escapes. However, he surrenders position in his bid to wheel behind Zendeli. The Albanian threatens the neck with 30 seconds on the clock. Too much sweat and blood to make any headway. Zendeli gets a late takedown but offers nothing to back it up.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Grant (29-28 Grant)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Grant (29-28 Grant)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Grant (29-28 Grant)

The Official Result

Florim Zendeli def. Jack Grant—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Julien Lopez (135.4) vs. Alexander Luster (135.8)

Round 1

The first of two bantamweight semifinals keeps the blood pumping, as France’s Lopez (7-3-1, 1-0 PFL) puts Germany’s Luster (8-1, 1-0 PFL) to the test at 135 pounds. Movahedi administers the law and order. Lopez knocks the German off-balance in their initial exchange. Luster stays calm under duress and manages to get back to his feet. He drops Lopez with a counter right hand behind the ear, transitions to the back and cinches the rear-naked choke to force the tapout.

The Official Result

Alexander Luster def. Julien Lopez—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 1:15 R1

Dean Garnett (136) vs. Lewis McGrillen-Evans (135.6)

Round 1

Pressing forward at PFL Europe 3, Garnett (12-2-1, 0-0 PFL) targets countryman McGrillen-Evans (8-1, 3-1 PFL) in an all-England bantamweight semifinal. Crossley oversees the action. McGrillen-Evans darts in and out from the southpaw stance. Leg kick from Garnett, followed by another. Inside leg kick from Garnett briefly sweeps McGrillen-Evans off his feet. Garnett attacks the inside of the lead leg once again, then goes to the outside. One-two from McGrillen-Evans drops his counterpart. Wild scramble ensues. McGrillen-Evans floors him with another short left and pounces with follow-up punches. Garnett gets back to his feet, though looks visibly compromised. McGrillen-Evans paws with his jab. Garnett steps forward in an exchange and sits down his opponent with a left hook. They clinch after another scramble. McGrillen-Evans breaks away from the clinch and dials up another left hand that his counterpart ducking for cover. Rapid-fire shots follow, but Garnett survives. McGrillen-Evans eats a punch and slips. Garnett clamps down on a guillotine. McGrillen-Evans frees himself, scrambles and eats a knee on the exit. Garnett lets out a primal yell as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 McGrillen-Evans
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 McGrillen-Evans
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 McGrillen-Evans

Round 2

After a wild first round, they pick up where they left off. McGrillen-Evans sits down Garnett twice with left hooks. Garnett scrambles but does not yet have his legs underneath him. McGrillen-Evans throws a knee while Garnett was falling backward and connects. It results in a pause to the action. Replays are unclear in terms of legality. McGrillen-Evans is deducted a point for an illegal strike. Inside leg kick from Garnett upon the restart. He presses forward and drops McGrillen-Evans with a left hook. McGrillen-Evans gets back to his feet and catches Garnett coming forward with a left hook and scores a knockdown of his own. Garnett scrambles into a heel hook. No dice. They trade, and McGrillen-Evans drops Garnett again. He gets back to his feet and continues throwing. Crazy fight. Inside leg kick from Garnett, as the pace slows for a time. McGrillen-Evans hunts for a home for his left hand. McGrillen-Evans backs him to the fence. Garnett clinches and fires a knee up the middle before escaping out into open space. They trade left hooks. McGrillen-Evans commands the center of the cage, retreats briefly and once again steps forward. McGrillen-Evans drops him to a knee with another left hook. Bell sounds with both men fatigued and bleeding from cuts.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 9-9
Tyler Treese scores the round: 9-9
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 9-9

Round 3

What will the third round bring? They touch gloves and start firing punches. Wild exchange. Both men land. One-two from Garnett snaps back his opponent’s head. McGrillen-Evans shoots a left hand to the body. Inside leg kick from Garnett. McGrillen-Evans punches into the clinch and peppers the midsection with short punches. Garnett breaks free, stalks forward behind a series of right hands and walks into a left hook. Garnett faceplants, and Crossley waves it off before he can endure any additional punishment.

The Official Result

Lewis McGrillen-Evans def. Dean Garnett—KO (Punch) 1:45 R3

Robert Whiteford (150) vs. Roger Huerta (149.4)

Round 1

Next up: 40-somethings face off in the co-main event, as Huerta (24-13-1, 0-0 PFL) dukes it out with a fellow Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator MMA veteran in Whiteford (16-5, 0-0 PFL) at a 150-pound catchweight. Crossley draws the officiating assignment. They touch gloves and get started. Both men fight southpaw. Leg kick from Whiteford. Huerta answers with one of his own. They trade jabs. Left hand over the top from Whiteford. Huerta staggers backward, and Whiteford swarms. Huerta breaks free and smiles. The Los Angeles native lands a left hand over the top. Low leg kick from Whiteford. Huerta steps into a right hand and seems to have fully recovered from his brush with adversity. Whiteford connects with two right hooks. Huerta crashes into the clinch against the Scottish judoka. Chants rain down from the crowd. Action stalls. Whiteford finally escapes into open space. Huerta switches stances and marches forward with punches. Counter left hook from Whiteford. Fifty seconds to go in the round. Two-punch volley from Whiteford. Huerta moves forward and lets his hands go. Nothing meaningful lands. They circle as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Whiteford
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Whiteford
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Whiteford

Round 2

Back to it. Huerta connects with a leg kick, follows with a jab and lands another leg kick. Whiteford sweeps him off his feet with a leg kick of his own. They trade in the pocket. Huerta controlling the center of the cage. Whiteford content to counter. Huerta connects with a right hand and lands some dirty boxing uppercuts. Whiteford circles out. Huerta presses forward behind multiple punches, denies a takedown attempt and breaks free. Huerta lands a left hook. They exchange, with both men firing shots from both hands. Whiteford struggling to get his back off the fence. Double jab from Whiteford, followed by a left hand over the top and a low kick. Huerta still pressing forward with 90 seconds to go. He sneaks in aright hand, shrugs off a clinch and circles. Whiteford delivers a right hand over the top. Not much output from the Scot at the end of this round. Huerta pins him to the fence and flurries. A left hook lands. Whiteford answers with a right. They close in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Huerta
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Huerta
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Huerta

Round 3

Anyone’s fight at the start of the third round. Whiteford opens with an inside leg kick. Huerta again pushes him onto the back foot. Whiteford shuts down a weak takedown attempt. They exchange punches, and Whiteford delivers an inside leg kick. Huerta changes levels, shoots on a single-leg, bails and re-shoots. Whiteford stays upright. Huerta separates and shoots again. No luck. Huerta, now dealing with severe swelling to his left eye, pushes forward. Whiteford turns off the fence. Huerta continues to fire punches from both hands. Jab from Whiteford. Midway through the round. Right hand over the top from Whiteford. Huerta answers with an inside leg kick. They trade punching volleys. Whiteford clips Huerta with a counter left. Whiteford shoots an uppercut through the defenses. Effective counters from the Scotsman. One minute to go. Huerta sneaks in a left hook and follows up with jabs. Whiteford shoots on the hips and dumps his opponent to the mat. Huerta peppers away with short punches, then scrambles back to his feet. Inside leg kick from Whiteford. Round ends without anything meaningful from either man.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Whiteford (29-28 Whiteford)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Whiteford (29-28 Whiteford)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Whiteford (29-28 Whiteford)

The Official Result

Robert Whiteford def. Roger Huerta—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Steven Ray (170.4) vs. Lewis Long (170.6)

Round 1

Welterweights close the show in the headliner, where Scotland’s Ray (25-13, 2-4 UFC) puts Wales’ Long (20-7, 0-0 PFL) in the crosshairs at 170 pounds. Movahedi answers the call as the third man in the cage. They touch gloves and get down to business. Inside low kick from Long. He shoots on a takedown, hoists Ray and wanders into a guillotine. Long escapes after several harrowing moments. He settles in side control. Long threatens the neck. Ray gets back to his feet and eats a few knees to the head. Long separates and cuts loose with punches to the body. Body kick from Long, followed by an overhand right. Long shoots a right hand to the body. Ray gets in on the hips and completes a takedown midway through the round. Wild sequence results in Long falling backward into Ray, who rolls into a tight armbar. Long escapes. Ray secures another takedown and climbs to the back, then threatens with a rear-naked choke. Ray bails on the choke but secures his position with a body triangle. Long turns into him, but Ray controls the body and torques on a twister to force the tap. Sensational stuff from Ray in what might have been his final performance.

The Official Result

Steven Ray def. Lewis Long—Submission (Twister) 4:24 R1