The Professional Fighters League determined its light heavyweight and lightweight finals during its PFL Hollywood card.
The 11-fight card was headlined by an intriguing light heavyweight rematch between 2023 champion Impa Kasanganay and Joshua Silveira. Kasanganay (17-4) won the first encounter less than a year ago, which caused Silveira (13-3) to come out far more aggressively and find success during the first frame. Kasanganay would have a much better second round, although “Coninha” landed some slick uppercuts late. The final five minutes saw both men land hard shots and the result was up in the air as it went to the judges’ scorecards.
Ultimately, the judges preferred the work of Kasaganay, who took a unanimous decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28 and 30-27 in his favor. He’ll advance to his second-straight light heavyweight final and will look to repeat.
Yagshimuradov Decisions Wilkinson
The co-main event saw former champion Rob Wilkinson battle Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for a spot in the finals.
A back-and-forth opening frame saw Yagshimuradov (24-7-1) gain a slight upper hand by landing heavier strikes. Wilkinson (19-3, 1 NC) would find some success as the fight went along and was able to stuff several takedown attempts, but the hardest kicks and punches were still coming from Yagshimuradov. The third round was also tightly contested but more of the same.
Yagshimuradov would advance and be awarded a unanimous decision win with a trio of 30-27 scorecards.
Rabadanov Destroys Dufort
Gadzhi Rabadanov earned a spot in the lightweight finals by knocking out Michael Dufort.
The first round was quite tepid at first, with both men feeling each other out and working their jabs. However, things changed dramatically in the second round after Rabadanov (23-4-1) knocked Dufort (13-6) down with an overhand left. Vicious ground and pound would secure the stoppage and send Rabadanov to the championship.
The thudding stoppage came at 1:51 of Round 2.
Primus Outgrapples Collard
The first lightweight semifinal between Brent Primus and Clay Collard was one of the night’s most anticipated bouts, but it didn’t wind up being the war fans were hoping for.
Instead, the opening frame was all Primus (15-3, 1 NC), who was able to take the back of Collard (25-14, 1 NC) and control the action. The second frame was more of the same, although a finish was never all that close despite it being a one-sided beating. The final round saw a bloodied Collard have more success on the feet before once again giving up a takedown, giving his back and losing most of the frame.
After 15 minutes, the judges awarded Primus a well-earned unanimous decision win with scores of 30-27, 30-27 and 30-26 for him. He’ll fight Rabadanov for the chance to win $1 million.
Ali Walsh Quickly KOs Stapleton
The main card’s opening fight saw lightweight prospect Biaggio Ali Walsh take on an overweight Brian Stapleton, who missed weight by 4.5 pounds.
Clearly annoyed by his opponent’s lack of professionalism, Ali Walsh (2-0) came out looking to strike. It quickly became clear that Stapleton (0-1) was outclassed on the feet. Landing 14 of the 19 punches he threw, Ali Walsh managed to knock his opponent out with a vicious overhand right and two follow-up punches.
The first-round stoppage officially came at the 55-second mark.
PFL 8 2024 Prelim Results:
In preliminary action, bantamweight contender Danny Sabatello (14-4-1) fought Lazaro Dayron (8-0-1) to a majority draw (29-27 Sabatello, 28-28, 28-28) after Dayron got a point deducted for a fence grab; Mads Burnell (20-6) outworked fellow lightweight Elvin Espinoza (10-2) over 15 minutes to earn three 29-28 scorecards; welterweight prospect Thad Jean (8-0) stayed undefeated by picking up a unanimous decision win (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) over Chris Brown (10-5); Jordan Oliver (2-0) picked up a unanimous decision win against fellow featherweight Braydon Akeo with scores of 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28; and in the first fight of the night, women’s featherweight Michelle Montague (5-0) submitted Marilia Morais (3-1) with a rear-naked choke just 1:44 into Round 1.
