PFL 8 2024 Playoffs Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Michelle Montague (145) vs. Marilia Morais (145.8)

Round 1

Women’s featherweights get the ball rolling, as American Top Team’s Montague (5-0, 3-0 UFC) puts her perfect record on the line against Morais (3-1, 0-0 PFL). Keith Peterson draws the officiating assignment. Customary glove touch gets us started. Montague steps forward, powers into the clinch and presses the Brazilian into the cage. Clean takedown from Montague, who sets up shop in side control. She chips away with hammerfists and looks to isolate an arm. Montague frames a kimura and torques the arm behind Morais’ back but fails to prompt the tapout. Montague transitions to the back, slides her arm underneath her opponent’s chin, tightens her squeeze on the rear-naked choke and gets the finish. Flawless performance from the unbeaten Kiwi, who had Olympic gold medalist and former PFL champion Kayla Harrison in her corner.

The Official Result

Michelle Montague def. Marilia Morais—Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) 1:44 R1

Jordan Oliver (145.8) vs. Braydon Akeo (146)

Round 1

Attention shifts to the featherweight division, where two-time NCAA wrestling champion Jordan Oliver (1-0, 0-0 PFL) makes his promotional debut opposite Braydon Akeo (5-3, 0-0 PFL) at 145 pounds. Christopher Mignocchi serves as the third man in the cage. They greet one another with a glove touch. Oliver drives home an inside leg kick. Akeo switching stances, feinting knees and kicks. Oliver takes the center of the cage and backs up his opponent with a push kick to the body. Another leg kick from Oliver, this time to the outside. Now he attacks the inside of the lead leg again. Jab from Akeo. Sneaky left hook from Oliver grazes the top of the head. Akeo answers with a pair of low kicks and a one-two, punctuated by a right hand over the top. Oliver misfires on a head kick, spins around and resets himself. Midway through the round. Jabs from Oliver, followed by a body kick and a low kick. Akeo counters a left hook with a crisp right hand. Inside leg kick from Oliver. Nice one-two from Akeo. Oliver swings and misses with punches from both hands, then digs to the body with a left hook. Leg kick from Oliver. Akeo looking to counter. Thirty seconds left in the round. Combination from Akeo, who mixes in a knee to the body.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Have to expect Oliver to start incorporating takedowns in the middle stanza. Akeo steps into an overhand right. Oliver stalks from the center of the cage, connects with a multi-punch burst and eats a jab. Akeo shrugs off an attempted level change. Knee to the body from Akeo, followed by a short left hook. Pawing jab from Oliver. Akeo probes to the body with his left hand. Oliver closes the distance behind punches and slams home a thudding overhand right. Akeo eats it without issue. Action slows midway through the period. Oliver finds a home for his right cross and again calls on his jab before ducking a left hook from his opponent. Both men switching stances now. Jab from Oliver, then another and another. Akeo connects with a left hand over the top. Sixty seconds left in the round. Nice one-two from Oliver, followed by an inside leg kick. A body kick from Oliver strays south of the border and results in a brief pause to the action. Akeo recovers quickly, and they tap gloves. Short lead hook from Oliver, who continues to be a step or two ahead here. He slips a punch and counters with an overhand right. They trade at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Looks like Akeo needs a finish, and he steps to the center of the cage to start Round 2. Jab from Oliver. He ducks in on a single-leg, drives Akeo into the fence and pushes hard for a takedown. Akeo denies his initial bid. Oliver settles for a rear waistlock in the clinch and cracks the thigh with knees while flirting with trips. Akeo turns and faces the four-time NCAA All-American. Oliver stays on the hips and briefly puts Akeo on the mat. Akeo pops right back to his feet, then settles on one knee before returning to an upright position. Oliver crowding his counterpart in the clinch, bleeding valuable time off the clock. Oliver still on the hips but elects to separate. Jab from Akeo, then a spinning back kick. Oliver steering clear of danger and lands a right hand over the top. One-two from Akeo, but Oliver uses it to secure a takedown. A few powerful left hands follow from Oliver, as Akeo works to improve position. Akeo frees himself and sprawls as the fight concludes.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Jordan Oliver def. Braydon Akeo—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Thad Jean (170.8) vs. Chris Brown (170.4)

Round 1

Welterweights are next to the stage, as the unbeaten Jean (7-0, 3-0 PFL) takes the next step in his development against Jackson-Wink MMA’s Brown (10-4, 0-1 PFL). Marcos Perez administers the law and order. Jean refuses a glove touch. Brown steps forward with kicks from both legs. Jean takes the center of the cage. Brown slips on a head kick but gets back to his feet without issue. One-two from Jean. Answered by Brown. Check hook from Jean, who drives a kick into his opponent’s guard. Stepping front kick from the unorthodox Brown. Jean stays poised under pressure. Brown misfires on a crescent kick. Jean presses forward, then raises his shield when the return fire comes his way. Right hook from Jean. They trade hooks in the inside. Crescent kick to the body from Brown, followed by a multi-strike burst with the hands and feet. Jean looks a little unsure of himself with 90 seconds to go. Side kick to the thigh from Brown. Jean answers with a body kick. A right hook from Jean staggers Brown. He follows up with a flying knee, drives Brown to the canvas and unleashes ground-and-pound from side control. Brown somehow gets back to his feet. Jab from Jean. Brown looks unsteady and understandably so as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Brown appears to have recovered fully between rounds. Back at it in the center of the cage. Brown gets busy with his kicks again, followed by wild punches. Jean avoids damage. Leg kick from Jean. They pause to catch their breath. Jean stalks forward, utilizing his jab on the end of a six-inch reach advantage. Body kick from Brown. Jab to the body from Jean. They trade right hooks. Jean enjoying success with his rear hand from the southpaw stance. Backfist from Brown misses the mark, along with a spinning switch kick. Midway through the round. One-two from Jean. Brown kicks low, and the knee strikes the cut with an audible thud. Pause in the action while Jean checks on the status of his gonads. They restart in the center of the cage. Kicks from both legs from Brown. He steps into a right hand and knocks Jean off-balance. Sweeping right hooks from Brown. Jean marches forward behind one-twos. Brown lands a head kick at close range. Chaotic turn to the fight favors Brown. Jean scores with a leg kick, then another. Brown continues to sling punches from odd angles in the waning seconds.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Can Jean solve this puzzle? Front kick from Brown. Jean targets the lead leg with kicks, dodges multiple shots with deft head movement, resets and clips the Jackson-Wink MMA rep with a check hook. Jabs from Jean. Brown steps forward with a body kick. Jean catches, circles away and transitions beautifully to a flying knee to the body. Jean presses Brown in the clinch, then separates. Not going to be an easy fight for the judges to score. Brown catches a kick and dumps Jean to the floor. Jean gets back to his feet and gets busy with his jab. Jean sneaks behind Brown but goes nowhere. They separate and engage. Sneaky right hook from Brown. Jean shoots on the hips but bails on the takedown attempt. He works behind Brown in the clinch and troubles him with foot stomps. Brown frees himself and cuts loose with punches. A minute to go in the fight. Volume definitely favors Brown. Jean holds the edge in impact. Brown looks weary now but continues to throw two, three and four strikes at a time. Jean moves to the center of the cage. Brown greets him with punches. Close, close fight. Spinning back to the body from Brown as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Thad Jean def. Chris Brown—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Mads Burnell (155) vs. Elvin Espinoza (156)

Round 1

PFL matchmakers keep the line moving with a lightweight confrontation between Espinoza (10-1, 5-1 PFL) and Burnell (19-6, 1-1 PFL) at 155 pounds. Peterson oversees the action. No glove touch. Burnell takes the center of the cage with a jab and a leg kick. Espinoza clinches with the Danish grappler. They jockey for position. Espinoza lands a knee to the midsection. Burnell presses the Nicaraguan into the fence. They trade knees to the thighs. Burnell probes for takedown openings, making sure to win the head position battle. They exchange knees to the body, then separate. Espinoza connects with a right hook to the body and a left hook upstairs. Front kick from Burnell. He clinches again and goes chest to chest with Espinoza. Knees to the body from Burnell. Espinoza needs to create some space. Burnell breaks away and lands a right hand over the top. Espinoza digs a brutal kick to the body, then another. Burnell clinches in the center of the cage. Espinoza separates. Burnell backs him up with two right hooks. One-two from Espinoza. Burnell answers. No shortage of action in this one. Body kick from Espinoza. Burnell shoots on the hips but cannot complete the takedown. Espinoza separates with 10 seconds to go and they exchange to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

They emerge after a much-needed respite. Espinoza steps forward with a front kick to the body. They trade punches at close range. Burnell clinches. Pace slows along the fence. Nice left hook to the body from Burnell on the break. Heavy pressure from the Dane. Espinoza connects in combination, forcing Burnell into a defensive shell. Burnell answers and continues to move forward, drawing his opponent into another clinch. Espinoza frees himself and gets busy with his hands, followed by a knee. He shoots on the hips, bails on the takedown attempt and settles in the clinch. Burnell gains some separation and drops Espinoza to a knee with a mean right hook. He moves in for a brabo choke, climbs to full mount and progresses to the back. Espinoza somehow escapes to his feet. Burnell gives chase with punches. They clinch with roughly 90 seconds to go in the round. Burnell has turned the tide here, at least for the time being. Clinch knees from the Dane. Espinoza checking the clock. Hooks from both hands to the body from Burnell. Espinoza responds with a knee. Burnell works punches to the body in the clinch, then shoots punches upstairs. A knee from Burnell strays below the belt and results in a pause to the action. Blow looked legal on replay. Espinoza emerges from the restart with significant swelling below one of his eyes. Body kick from Espinoza. Burnell relentlessly pursues him with punches to the bell.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Anyone’s fight at the start of Round 3. Burnell greets him with a calf kick, then clinches. Not where Espinoza wants to be. Burnell forces him into the cage and cuts loose with body-head punches. Espinoza starting to look discouraged. He breaks free. Burnell follows him across the cage and lets fly with punches, then clinches again. Burnell double-legs him to the ground. Espinoza gets back to his feet. Burnell works behind him in the clinch, pops him with a knee to the body and looks for a trip. No luck. Espinoza turns into him. Burnell hammers the body with punches and targets the inner thigh with knees. Excellent work from the Dane. Espinoza breaks free and scores with straight punches. Burnell level changes into a picture-perfect takedown and sets up in half guard. Reality starting to set in on the Espinoza contingent. Burnell staying busy enough to avoid a restart while bleeding time off the clock. Espinoza struggling to find an avenue for escape. Burnell offers none and frames an arm-triangle before bailing on the choke as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Mads Burnell def. Elvin Espinoza—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Danny Sabatello (135.6) vs. Lazaro Dayron (135.8)

Round 1

Bantamweights close out the undercard, as American Top Team’s Sabatello (14-4, 0-0 PFL) sets his sights on the undefeated Dayron (8-0, 0-0 PFL). Mignocchi draws the officiating assignment. Sabatello flips off someone in the crowd while being introduced. He greets Dayron with a flying knee, sets off a scramble and presses into the clinch. Dayron avoids the takedown. Sabatello buries a few punches into the ribs. Dayron scores a takedown with an inside trip. Sabatello gets back to his feet. Dayron shoots on the hips, sets off another scramble and settles back into the clinch. Sabatello hammers the body with knees. They separate. Jab from Dayron. Sabatello on his back foot. Dayron floors him with a right hand, pounds away with punches and threatens the neck. He sprawls as Sabatello shoots on a desperate takedown. Dayron dumps him to the mat. They clinch after a scramble. Jab from Sabatello. One-two from Dayron. Sabatello shoots and completes a takedown with 90 seconds left in the round. Punches from the top from Sabatello. Dayron uses butterfly guard to gain separation and get back to his feet. The Cuban sprawls on two subsequent takedown attempts, but the dogged Sabatello manages to get him on his back. Dayron gets back to his feet and connects with another right hand at the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

They meet in the middle to start Round 2. Sabatello misses a head kick, then jabs to the body. Dayron answers. Sabatello sets of a scramble with a takedown attempt, maneuvers behind his opponent and shoots on the hips. Dayron sprawls, then separates. Jab from Dayron, then a one-two. Overhand right from the Cuban wrestler. Sabatello sprawls on an attempted takedown from Dayron and spins behind him. Dayron gets back to his feet. Sabatello works some knees to the legs, then shoots on the hips again. Left hook from Sabatello on the break. One-two from Dayron. Sabatello sneaks behind him and secures a takedown. Merciless pace from the American. Dayron takes a kneeling position. Sabatello scores with a slam. Butterfly guard from Dayron. Sabatello works his ground-and-pound. Nothing significant, but it scores points nonetheless. Dayron looks to have accepted the position for the time being. He works back to a knee, then gets back to an upright position. Sabatello breaks free, punches and shoots again. They jockey for position in the clinch. Dayron sprawls on a takedown but looks fatigued. Sabatello sprawls on a takedown in the closing seconds and threatens the neck.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Looks like were tied a round apiece here. They engage one another in the middle of the cage. Jab-hook combination from Sabatello. Dayron avoids a takedown. Sabatello shoots again, drives him into the fence and separates. One-two from Dayron, followed by jab. The Cuban hunts for a home for his overhand right. Sabatello with two leg kicks. Jab from Dayron. Both men showing the strain of this fight. Heavy combination from Dayron. Jab from Sabatello. Not sure why he abandoned the takedowns. Dayron fires a right hand and sprawls. Sabatello shoots and clinches. Midway through the round. They move into open space. Jab from Dayron, then another. Sabatello shoots and briefly grounds his opponent. Dayron gets back to his feet. Much more competitive fight than most anticipated. Sabatello slips behind Dayron and jumps to the back while the two men are still standing. Sabatello locks in a body triangle. Time ticking away. Sabatello works punches to the side of the head. Dayron grabs the fence while trying to shake free and gets docked a point. Sabatello wins a scramble and forces Dayron onto all fours. Dayron gets back to his feet. Sabatello shoots again. Dayron escapes with 10 seconds to go, and they trade punches for the remaining time.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Sabatello (29-27 Sabatello)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-8 Sabatello (29-27 Sabatello)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-8 Sabatello (29-27 Sabatello)

The Official Result

Danny Sabatello draws Lazaro Dayron—Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Biaggio Ali Walsh (155.4) vs. Brian Stapleton (160.5: Missed Weight)

Round 1

Walsh (1-0, 1-0 PFL)—the 25-year-old grandson of the late Muhammad Ali—throws the main card into gear in a lightweight showcase against Stapleton (0-0, 0-0 PFL), who missed weight by more than four pounds. Perez serves as the third man in the cage. Glove tap to start. Walsh gets started with surgical jabs. A check left hook sits down Stapleton. Leg kick from Walsh. Overhand right wobbles Stapleton. This might not last long. Leg kick from Walsh. They trade jabs. A right hand over the top decks Stapleton in the center of the cage, and Walsh mops up what remains with follow-up punches.

The Official Result

Biaggo Ali Walsh def. Brian Stapleton—TKO (Punches) 0:55 R1

Brent Primus (155.2) vs. Clay Collard (155.6)

Round 1

Primus (14-3, 2-0 PFL) collides with the battle-tested Collard (25-13, 7-5 PFL) in the first of two lightweight semifinals. Peterson administers the law and order. No glove touch. Collard circles on the perimeter. Leg kick from Primus. Collard gets started with his jab. Lunging left hook from Primus misses. They trade jabs. Leg kick from Primus. One-two from Collard. Primus shoots on a single-leg and drives Collard into the fence. Wide base and good balance keeps him upright. Primus drags him to the canvas and jumps onto the back. Collard carries his weight and tries to shake free. Primus stays attached and feeds him right hands to the side of the head. Collard remains in a crouched position while standing. Not ideal for his gas tank. Fans boo due to the inaction. Punches from Primus with 30 seconds to go. Time runs out with Primus punching away on a kneeling Collard.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Collard takes the center of the cage, feints and trades punches with the former Bellator champion. Primus changes levels, shoots on the hips and clinches against the fence. He trips Collard to the canvas and progresses to the back, securing position with both hooks. Ninety seconds into the round. Collard stands with Primus on his back, locking down a body triangle. Halfway home in this round, and Primus has it exactly where he wants it. Fans boo. Primus attacks the neck briefly but looks to be slipping off the side of the UFC veteran. Collard now bleeding from a cut. Primus forces him into a squatting position and cuts loose with punches. Not looking good for Collard. Primus continues to drop punches, with Peterson hovering overhead. Collard on all fours now. More punches from Primus, even as Collard attacks one of his wrists with two hands. No escape for Collard. Ugly round for the Utah native.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Primus
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Primus
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Primus

Round 3

Primus in complete control as Round 3 begins. Collard fires punches with both hands but eats two shots for his troubles. They exchange. Collard steps forward with a knee. Primus catches it and scores another takedown 50 seconds into the frame. Collard scrambles bout. Primus gets back on the hips and locks his hands before dumping his counterpart back on the canvas. Collard gets back to his feet. Primus climbs into the backpack position yet again, hammers away with punches the neck. Collard gets free and takes top position, dropping some standing-to-ground punches and an axe kick to the gut. They stand. Left hook to the body, followed by a left hook to the head from Collard. Primus retreats and lures the UFC veteran into the clinch. Ninety seconds to go. Primus drags him to the canvas once more and moves to the back. Hooks are in. Primus secures position with a body triangle. No real answers from Collard in these grappling exchanges. Primus stays glued to his opponent, bleeding time off the clock and setting his sights on the $1 million lightweight final.

Sherdog Scores

Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Primus (30-26 Primus)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Primus (30-27 Primus)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Primus (30-27 Primus)

The Official Result

Brent Primus def. Clay Collard—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Gadzhi Rabadanov (155.8) vs. Michael Dufort (155.8)

Round 1

In the second lightweight semifinal, Rabadanov (22-4-1, 2-0 PFL) rides an eight-fight winning streak into battle against Dufort (13-5, 2-1 PFL). Mignocchi oversees the action. They touch gloves, and we are underway, with Primus awaiting the winner. Feeling-out process ensues. One-two from Dufort. Jab from the Canadian. Rabadanov hunts with his jab but comes up empty. Knee to the body from Dufort. Rabadanov not yet in gear offensively. Jabs from Dufort. Leg kick from Rabadanov. Dufort steps into a thudding overhand right but eats a left hook moments later. They trade jabs. Front kick to the body from Dufort. Rabadanov doubles up on the jab. Leg kick from Dufort. Rabadanov shoots and completes a double-leg takedown. He ties up the legs and cuts off Dufort’s escape. The Canadian responds with a guillotine and forces Rabadanov to play defense. Rabadanov frees himself and works some ground-and-pound with 10 seconds to go in the round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

They meet in the middle to start the second round. Rabadanov counters a one-two with a sharp left hook. Dufort reaching on his punches now. Rabadanov pumps out his jab, feints and eats a left hook. Dufort scores with his jab and engages the Russian in the clinch. Rabadanov shuts down a bid for a takedown and swings wildly with both hands. Rabadanov lulls the Canadian to sleep and out of nowhere floors him with a lunging left hook. Dufort hits the canvas in a semi-conscious state and can not withstand the barrage that follows. Rabadanov cuts loose with punches from both hands until the referee waves it off. He advances to face Primus for $1 million in the 2024 PFL lightweight final.

The Official Result

Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Michael Dufort—KO (Punches) 1:51 R2

Rob Wilkinson (206) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (205.6)

Round 1

The first of two light heavyweight semifinals serves as the co-headliner, as Wilkinson (19-2, 6-0 PFL) locks horns with Yagshimuradov (23-7-1, 2-0 PFL) at 205 pounds. Perez draws the officiating assignment. Glove touch gets us going. Wilkinson paws with his jab. Yagshimuradov operating out of the southpaw stance. Body kick followed by a one-two from Wilkinson. Yagshimuradov tentative at the start. Overhand left misses for Yagshimuradov. He switches stances and uncorks a one-tow. Wilkinson answers and clangs a left hook off of his opponent’s head. Inside leg kick from Wilkinson. Front kick to the body from Yagshimuradov. Lead left hook from Yagshimuradov lands. Midway through the round. Yagshimuradov lands a glancing overhand right. Jab from Wilkinson, who then dodges a head kick. Yagshimuradov looks to counter. They trade shots, with both men connecting. Leg kick from Wilkinson, who follows up with a burst of punches that miss the mark. Right hand over the top from Yagshimuradov. Wilkinson struggling to establish a rhythm. Inside leg kick from the Tasmanian. Yagshimuradov crashes forward on a takedown attempt. Wilkinson counters with a guillotine. They separate. Yagshimuradov ducks in on a single-leg in the waning seconds but fails to secure the takedown.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

They meet in the middle, looking to pick up where they left off. Wilkinson paws with his jab. Leg kick from Yagshimuradov. Both men utilizing feints. Front kick to the body from Yagshimuradov. Wilkinson sidesteps a combination and misfires on a counter hook. He blocks a lead hook kick from Yagshimuradov. Fans boo, as the action slows. Yagshimuradov shakes off a low blow, with no need of a pause. They trade jabs. Yagshimuradov circles. Wilkinson answers an overhand right with a left hook. Lunging left hook from Yagshimuradov. One-two from Yagshimuradov. Wilkinson needs to find another gear here. Jab from the Tasmanian snaps back his adversary’s head. Wilkinson drives home a low kick. Glancing spinning wheel kick nearly connects for Yagshimuradov. Pace picks up. Left hook from Wilkinson, followed by a low kick. Competitive round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

Final round is underway. More feinting from both participants. Inside leg kick from Wilkinson. Outside leg kick from Yagshimuradov. They exchange jabs. Beautiful one-two from Yagshimuradov, followed by a thudding kick to the lower leg. Wilkinson paws with his lead hand. Yagshimuradov a little too fast and a little too skilled to this point. Lead left hook from Yagshimuradov. Wilkinson circles and steps into a body kick. Not his kind of fight. One-two from Yagshimuradov. Two minutes to go. Wilkinson presses forward, taps his opponent with a leg kick and gives ground. Yagshimuradov changes stances, feints and crashes forward with punches. Wilkinson evades but fails to return fire. Spinning backfist from Yagshimuradov narrowly misses. Crisp jab from Wilkinson. Yagshimuradov changes levels, shoots on a single-leg and then bails when the takedown fails to materialize. One-two from Wilkinson. Yagshimuradov shoots again, lets ago and swings for the fences as the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Rob Wilkinson—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Impa Kasanganay (203.8) vs. Joshua Silveira (205.2)

Round 1

The second light heavyweight semifinal closes the show, as Kasanganay (17-4, 7-1 PFL) rematches Silveira (13-3, 6-3 PFL) in the main event. Peterson serves as the third man in the cage. Silveira steps forward with body kicks as Kasanganay paws with his lead hand. Overhand right from the defending champion. Left hook connects for Kasanganay. Front kick to the body from Silveira, who is firing well in combination. The American Top Team rep staying active with knees and punches. He blocks a high kick from Kasanganay. Silveira continues to target the body. He knocks Kasanganay off-balance with a knee up the middle. Silveira wades into the pocket, showing no regard for his own health. They clinch along the fence. They separate. Kasanganay crashes forward with punches. Silveira answers with knees in the clinch. Kasanganay steps into a clubbing right hand. Surprisingly fast start from both men. Front kick to the body from Silveira. Kasanganay follows punches into the clinch, perhaps looking to slow the pace. Silveira continues to invest in body blows. Counter left hook from Kasanganay. They exchange punches to close a rousing round.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 2

Can the keep up this pace? Kasanganay rips punches from both hands at the outset. Silveira answers with a right hook. Kasanganay breaks away from the clinch and connects with a plunging right hand. They clinch again. Knees to the legs from Silveira. Dirty boxing from Kasanganay, who circles out into open space. Multi-punch volley from Kasanganay. Silveira taps his opponent with a leg kick and looks to engage at close range. Kasanganay backs him up with punches. Kasanganay sneaks in an overhand right. Jab from Silveira. Kasanganay uncorks punches with both hands. Body kick from Silveira, who connects with a left and then a right. They clinch along the fence. Knees to the body from Kasanganay. Ninety seconds to go in the round. Kasanganay works knees to the thigh. Silveira throws a knee and breaks out of the clinch. Another multi-punch burst from Kasanganay. Silveira answers with a heavy left hook. Kasanganay fires back. They end the round in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

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

Round 3

The outcome is still very much up in the air as they start Round 3. Body kick from Silveira. They clinch in the middle of the cage before separating. Silveira flicks out his jab and follows with a left cross. Kasanganay drives him into the fence and buries a few knees into both sides of his ribcage. Shoulder strike from Kasanganay. They separate. Kasanganay eats a left hand and crashes right back into the clinch, stealing time. More knees to the side. Silveira boxes the ears. Peterson separates and restarts them. Silveira steps into a body kick and follows it with a left hook. Kasanganay shuts down an attempted single-leg and engages Silveira in the clinch with double underhooks. Silveira running out of time to make a move here. The crowd boos. Kasanganay clips Silveira with a left hook, unleashes his hands and drives the American Top Team export into the fence with a right hand. Sixty seconds left. Kasanganay looks to be in control. Peterson asks for more action as they clinch. Exquisite trip takedown from Kasanganay. Silveira gets back to his feet, and they conclude their rematch in the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

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

The Official Result

Impa Kasanganay def. Joshua Silveira—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)