For the first time in their professional careers, siblings Daniele Scatizzi and Valentina Scatizzi will compete on the same card together.
Coming into PFL Glasgow, both Daniele (13-7) and sister Valentina (3-2) share the underdog label as they are taking on tough foes with no losses between them. Daniele is currently a +425 dog against unbeaten 2023 PFL Europe lightweight champ Jakub Kaszuba (12-0), while Valentina (+550) will face undefeated Shanelle Dyer (5-0).
Daniele, a Bellator MMA regular, came over to the PFL ranks after an unsuccessful outing at against Dmytrii Hrytsenko at Bellator 291 in 2023. Following the merger of Bellator and PFL, the Italian was slotted into the PFL Europe’s lightweight bracket. Daniele introduced himself to PFL brass by landing a heel hook on the heavily favored Aleksandrs Chizovs to reach the semifinals.
Valentina made her way to PFL a year earlier than her brother, reaching the semifinals of the inaugural PFL Europe season at 125 pounds. When taking on Dakota Ditcheva, she suffered the first knockout loss of her career—although it was a doctor stoppage. She bounced back this season by winning over all three judges against Marie Loiseau to climb into the 2024 semifinals. Both brother and sister spoke to media ahead of their respective fights, where they weighed in on their varied experiences and how they plan on springing upsets.
“I think Shanelle is the same as Dakota, but she’s not Dakota,” Valentina remarked. “She’s a good fighter but I’m more skillful than her. I also have good striking like her, I have a good strategy coming into this. I also have a lot of heart which will help lead me in this fight.”
Daniele knows the challenge he has in front of him in Kaszuba, but he’s hoping that no matter how it plays out, the two make it an entertaining show for the fans.
“I will try, I will try. Of course, he has to do what he has to do for a win, but his style for me is a bit boring. Resting on the fence, pushing, it’s boring. I will try to make his fight different this time,” the 31-year-old lightweight noted.
With expectations among bettors and pundits that Dyer and Kaszuba will emerge victorious, Daniele and Valentina shared the same sentiments about that narrative. Namely, they enjoy it. Neither fighter feels the pressure, and instead are liberated to fight freely and openly.
“Yes, it’s really good. It’s really good for us. When everyone thinks you’re going to win and then you win, it’s like, ‘oh okay, yes, it’s expected,’ but when you’re the underdog and you win, it’s a much better feeling,” Daniele concluded.
