MMA News

Tag: PFL Europe

  • ‘No Reason Why Nemkov-Francis Shouldn’t Be Made Next’ – Fans React As Vadim Nemkov Runs Through Renan Ferreira To Become PFL Heavyweight Champion At PFL Lyon

    ‘No Reason Why Nemkov-Francis Shouldn’t Be Made Next’ – Fans React As Vadim Nemkov Runs Through Renan Ferreira To Become PFL Heavyweight Champion At PFL Lyon

    After already owning gold at light heavyweight, Vadim Nemkov now has a championship in a second weight class, defeating Renan Ferreira in the main event of PFL Lyon to become PFL heavyweight world champion.

    After a little patience from both men, Nemkov was able to score a takedown. After landing a series of shots, Nemkov got into mount and began to try and find an arm-triangle choke. Ferreira looked to defend, trying to land from the bottom and find his own submission, going on to get into top position.

    It was a fleeting moment, however, as Nemkov got back on top and worked his way back into securing an arm-triangle, getting the submission win and the world title.

    Vadim Nemkov Becomes Heavyweight Champion By Submitting Renan Ferreira At PFL Lyon

    Nemkov went 3-0 in PFL in 2025, coming over following the promotion’s 2023 purchase of Bellator. Nemkov scored finishes of Bruno Cappelozza and Tim Johnson.

    This was Ferreira’s first fight since getting stopped by Francis Ngannou at PFL Battle of the Giants in October 2024.

  • VIDEO: Cris Cyborg Locks Up Choke, Submits Sara Collins In Women’s Featherweight Title Fight At PFL Lyon

    VIDEO: Cris Cyborg Locks Up Choke, Submits Sara Collins In Women’s Featherweight Title Fight At PFL Lyon

    In the second-to-last fight of her MMA career, Cris Cyborg kept her position as one of the best female athletes in the sport, submitting Sara Collins to remain PFL women’s featherweight champion in the co-main event of PFL Lyon.

    Collins had her fair share of moments in the fight, using leg kicks and trying to go use her jabs and grappling to keep Cyborg at bay. Cyborg, however, had the power edge and used it to her advantage, bringing pressure to Collins.

    Collins scored a takedown in round two, but Cyborg’s attacks from the bottom, including a couple of submission attempts, looked to drain Collins’ energy. Cyborg’s power really came out in the third round, but Collins scored another takedown via a judo throw and threatened an Americana.

    Cyborg, however, reversed and got to the back, putting Collins away with a choke — just the second win via submission in Cyborg’s career.

    Cris Cyborg Submits Sara Collins To Retain Women’s Featherweight Title At PFL Lyon

    Cyborg, who has captured championships in every promotion she has been in, became PFL women’s featherweight champion by defeating Larissa Pacheco at PFL Battle of the Giants last year.

    This was Collins’ first fight since her own fight late last year, submitting Leah McCourt.

  • VIDEO: Baris Adiguzel Claims PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Title With Controversial Finish Of Dean Garnett At PFL Lyon

    VIDEO: Baris Adiguzel Claims PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Title With Controversial Finish Of Dean Garnett At PFL Lyon

    It was quick, but it was also controversial. Baris Adiguzel has become this year’s PFL Europe bantamweight tournament champion following a sub-minute finish of Dean Garnett during PFL Lyon.

    Adiguzel came out practically swinging away, looking to put this fight away with lightning strikes. He landed a series of left hands, while Garnett looked to answer with his own strategic striking.

    Adiguzel’s attack became too much it seemed, as Garnett was dropped. When the referee stepped in, however, Garnett appeared to have in ankle, which tripped Adiguzel up. But the referee already waved off the fight for the way Garnett fell, giving the tournament title to Adiguzel.

    Baris Adiguzel Makes Quick Work Of Dean Garnett For PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Title At PFL Lyon

    Adiguzel, the former Hexagone MMA champion, reached the final with a finish of Julien Lopez in September.

    Garnett reached the final with wins over Tuomas Gronvall and Jan Cieplowski.

  • VIDEO: Alex Chizov Puts Out Connor Hughes To Win 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament At PFL Lyon

    VIDEO: Alex Chizov Puts Out Connor Hughes To Win 2025 PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament At PFL Lyon

    Alex Chizov claims the top spot of one of PFL Europe’s 2025 tournaments, as he takes out Connor Hughes in three rounds to win this year’s PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament.

    It was an action packed fight, with the two trying to use their strikes to end the fight in one move. Both men attempted to work their combinations, with Chizov backing Hughes back during the first round. Hughes rocked Chizov early in the second, however, showing how momentum swung both ways during this fight.

    About 50 seconds into the third round, however, Chizov used the left hand to set up a strong right that put Hughes out cold for the tournament title win.

    Alex Chizov KOs Connor Hughes For PFL Europe Lightweight Title At PFL Lyon

    Chizov reached the final tonight with a first-round knockout of Mark Ewen and a split decision over Claudio Pacella.

    Hughes has now lost in two straight PFL Europe lightweight finals, losing last year’s tournament final to two-time champion Jakub Kaszuba. Hughes reached this year’s final with knockouts of Sebastien De Franco and Gino van Steenis.

  • PFL Lyon Live Results And Highlights

    PFL Lyon Live Results And Highlights

    The PFL’s 2025 campaign is nearing its end, and two world champions and two PFL Europe tournament champions will be crowned on Saturday, December 13, with PFL Lyon in France. MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    PFL Europe was the initial expansion effort of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), an effort that has since grown out to MENA in 2024. PFL Africa started up earlier this year, and PFL Pacific will be on the way.

    With PFL looking to simplify its championship picture under the direction of new CEO John Martin, however, PFL Lyon will not only bring the conclusion to the PFL Europe season, but it will also bring us two PFL world champions.

    The main event will see former Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov face 2023 PFL heavyweight season champion Renan Ferreira for the heavyweight world championship.

    Since vacating the Bellator light heavyweight title to move up in weight, Nemkov has scored submissions of Bruno Cappelozza and Tim Johnson with the PFL earlier this year. Ferreira finished Ryan Bader in a PFL vs. Bellator heavyweight champions showdown before getting knocked out in seconds by Francis Ngannou at Battle of the Giants last year.

    The PFL women’s featherweight champion will also be decided as the legendary Cris Cyborg faces Sara Collins. Cyborg has lost just twice in the sport and has racked up championships everywhere she has gone, including her PFL Super Fights title win over Larissa Pacheco. Collins is 6-0 in MMA, submitting Leah McCourt in her last fight one year ago.

    The 2025 PFL Europe tournament champions will also be crowned earlier in the card, as Connor Hughes faces Alex Chizov at lightweight and Baris Adiguzel takes on Dean Garnett at bantamweight.

    The event was broadcasted on DAZN in most countries, as well as via ESPN Unlimited in the U.S. If you missed any of the action, MMA News has you covered below with the full results and all the highlights below.

    PFL Lyon Results & Highlights

    Heavyweight World Championship: Vadim Nemkov def. Renan Ferreira via submission (arm-triangle choke) (R1, 4:00)
    Womens’ Featherweight World Championship.: Cris Cyborg def. Sara Collins via submission (rear-naked choke) (R3, 2:55)
    Welterweight Showcase.: Patrick Habirora def. Kevin Jousset via KO (R1, 2:42)
    Bantamweight Showcase.: Taylor Lapilus def. Liam Gittins via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
    PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament Championship.: Baris Adiguzel def. Dean Garnett via TKO (R1, 0:44)
    Light Heavyweight Showcase.: Boris Atangana def. Guilherme Soares via submission (rear-naked choke) (R2, 2:35)
    PFL Europe Lightweight Tournament Championship.: Alex Chizov def. Connor Hughes via KO (R3, 0:50)
    Bantamweight Showcase.: Gustavo Oliveira def. Movsar Ibragimov via KO (R2, 0:34)
    Women’s Flyweight Showcase.: Sabrinna de Sousa def. Paulina Wisniewska via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
    Bantamweight Showcase.: Rayan Balbali def. Levi Batchelor via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

    Rayan Balbali vs. Levi Batchelor

    Paulina Wisniewska vs. Sabrinna de Sousa

    Gustavo Oliveira vs. Movsar Ibragimov

    Connor Hughes vs. Alex Chizov

    Boris Atangana vs. Guilherme Soares

    Baris Adiguzel vs. Dean Garnett

    Taylor Lapilus vs. Liam Gittins

    Patrick Habirora vs. Kevin Jousset

    Cris Cyborg vs. Sara Collins

    Vadim Nemkov vs. Renan Ferreira

  • 2025 PFL Europe 3 Semifinals Results & Highlights: Amin Ayoub Finishes With Strikes After Wild War With Keweny Lopes

    2025 PFL Europe 3 Semifinals Results & Highlights: Amin Ayoub Finishes With Strikes After Wild War With Keweny Lopes

    The third PFL Europe event of the 2025 season took place on Saturday, September 26, with the PFL landing in Nantes, France, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    PFL Europe was the initial expansion effort of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), an effort that has since grown out to MENA in 2024. PFL Africa started up earlier this year, and PFL Pacific will be on the way.

    After the first leg of the third PFL Europe season started up in Belfast in May, and continued through Brussels in July, today’s action hosted the lightweight and bantamweight semifinals, as participants competed to see who will fight at the PFL Europe Championships — scheduled for December 13 in Lyon, France.

    The main event saw a lightweight showcase battle that featured Amin Ayoub pulling off the win over Keweny Lopez. The fight opened with a fast-paced opening round that saw Ayoub rock Lopes on a couple of occasions, threatening a guillotine more than once. Lopes, however, looked for a pair of leg locks of his own, landing heavy shots and scrambling nonstop just as much as Ayoub did.

    Ayoub started to take over in the second round, however, as he worked the body and reversed positioning following a takedown by Lopes. Ayoub controlled the ground striking in the second round and was relentless with pressure in the third, forcing the referee to step in for a third-round TKO victory.

    The event was broadcasted on DAZN in most countries, as well as on the PFL App in the U.S. If you missed any of the action, MMA News has you covered below with the full results and all the highlights below.

    2025 PFL Europe 3 Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • Lightweight Showcase: Amin Ayoub def. Keweny Lopez via TKO (R3, 3:19)
    • Light Heavyweight Showcase: Boris Atangana def. Jhony Gregory via TKO (R1, 2:17)
    • Bantamweight Semifinal: Baris Adiguziel def. Julien Lopez via TKO (R1, 0:36)
    • Lightweight Semifinal: Connor Hughes def. Gino Van Steenis via KO (R1, 2:56)
    • Bantamweight Semifinal: Dean Garnett def. Jan Cieplowski via submission (guillotine choke) (R3, 0:38)
    • Lightweight Semifinal: Alex Chizov def. Claudio Pacella via split decision (28-29, 29-28 x2)

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight Showcase: Darragh Kelly def. Bakhtiyor Abduloev via submission (rear-naked choke) (R1, 2:27)
    • Middleweight Showcase: Vincent Del Guerra def. Sofiane Aissaoui via TKO (R3, 0:24)
    • Lightweight Alternate Bout: Mark Ewen def. Sebastien Di Franco via submission (D’Arce choke) (R1, 3:18)
    • Women’s Strawweight Showcase: Maria Guedez Jr. def. Kiya O’Sullivan via split decision (30-26, 28-29, 29-28)

    Maria Guedez Jr. vs. Kiya O’Sullivan

    Sebastien Di Franco vs. Mark Ewen

    Vincent Del Guerra vs. Sofiane Aissaoui

    Darragh Kelly vs. Bakhtiyor Abduloev

    Claudio Pacella vs. Alex Chizov

    Dean Garnett vs. Jan Cieplowski

    Connor Hughes vs. Gino Van Steenis

    Baris Adiguziel vs. Julien Lopez

    Boris Atangana vs. Jhony Gregory

    Amin Ayoub vs. Keweny Lopez

  • ‘Looks Like Another European Star For PFL’ – Fans React To Patrick Habirora Landing Devastating KO With Head Kick In PFL Brussels Main Event

    ‘Looks Like Another European Star For PFL’ – Fans React To Patrick Habirora Landing Devastating KO With Head Kick In PFL Brussels Main Event

    Patrick Habirora is slowly making a name for himself in the PFL with his young career, and he may have just taken himself to a new level of status with his performance in front of his home country.

    Habirora scored a first-round knockout over UFC veteran Danny Roberts in the main event of PFL Brussels, held at the ING Arena in Belgium.

    Habirora controlled the center early, but Roberts pressed him into the fence after some exchanging. Roberts landed knees and short punches in the clinch, but Habirora eventually broke free.

    Habirora found his rhythm and worked combinations before landing a powerful headkick that dropped Roberts for the win.

    Patrick Habirora Knocks Out UFC Veteran Danny Roberts At PFL Brussels

    https://twitter.com/FrenchSavagery/status/1941606868314456154

    Habirora advances to 7-0 as a pro, including a 3-0 PFL Europe record that has also seen him finish Catalin Safta and score a decision over Claudio Pacella.

    Roberts fought in the UFC from 2015 to 2023, with his run ending on a three-fight losing skid that included a loss to current UFC welterweight champion Jack Della Maddalena.

  • 2025 PFL Europe 2 Results & Highlights: Patrick Habirora Makes Statement With First-Round Head-Kick KO

    2025 PFL Europe 2 Results & Highlights: Patrick Habirora Makes Statement With First-Round Head-Kick KO

    The second PFL Europe event of the 2025 season took place on Saturday, July 5, with the PFL’s first venture to Brussels, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    PFL Europe was the initial expansion effort of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), an effort that has since grown out to MENA in 2024. PFL Africa and PFL Pacific will start up this year as well, with the former’s first event taking place in two weeks’ time.

    After the first leg of the third PFL Europe season started up in Belfast in May, today’s action continued to see who would advance to the playoffs card, now set for September 26 in France — and that will show who we’ll see at this year’s PFL Europe Championships (also in France) this December.

    The card, which took place at the ING Arena, saw seven Belgian fighters compete throughout the 16-fight card — a mix of bantamweight tournament and showcase bouts. And in the main event, Patrick Habirora blew the roof off the venue in his home country with a first-round knockout of UFC veteran Danny Roberts, who was making his PFL debut.

    The event was broadcast on DAZN in most countries, as well as being the first PFL Europe card broadcasted in the U.S. on the new PFL app. If you missed any of the action, MMA News has you covered below with the full results and all the highlights below.

    2025 PFL Europe 2 Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Showcase Main Event: Patrick Habirora def. Danny Roberts via KO (R1, 4:32)
    • Bantamweight Showcase Co-Main Event: Taylor Lapilus def. Ali Taleb via unanimous decision
    • Featherweight Showcase: Gaetano Pirrello def. Salvatore Liga via submission (D’Arce choke) (R1, 3:22)
    • Light Heavyweight Showcase: Boris Atangana def. Bruno Santos via TKO (R1, 0:56)
    • Welterweight Showcase: Chequina Noso Pedro def. Khamzat Abaev via unanimous decision

    Preliminary Card:

    • Bantamweight Showcase: Movsar Ibragimov def. Gerardo Fanny via submission (Von Flue choke) (R2, 1:42)
    • Featherweight Showcase: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Mathys Duragrin via unanimous decision
    • Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Dean Garnett def. Tuomas Grönvall via unanimous decision
    • Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Mahio Campanella def. Matiss Zaharovs via unanimous decision
    • Lightweight Showcase: Catalin Safta def. Nicolas Di Franco via split decision
    • Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Gustavo Oliveira def. Anas Azizoun via KO (R1, 3:25)
    • Bantamweight Tournament Bout: Jan Ciepłowski def. Julien Lopez via TKO (R1, 3:43)
    • Women’s Flyweight Showcase: Paulina Wiśniewska def. Jessica Cunha via submission (rear-naked choke) (R1, 4:12)
    • Featherweight Showcase: Adam Meskini def. Tiziano Ferranti via TKO (R2, 4:56)
    • Bantamweight Showcase: Levi Batchelor def. Fahdi Khaled via technical submission (Ezekiel choke) (R3, 4:56)
    • 163-Pound Catchweight Showcase: Salvo Giudice def. Brice Belghazi via submission (rear-naked choke) (R3, 2:14)

    Salvo Giudice def. Brice Belghazi

    Levi Batchelor def. Fahdi Khaled

    Adam Meskini def. Tiziano Ferranti

    Paulina Wiśniewska def. Jessica Cunha

    Jan Ciepłowski def. Julien Lopez

    Gustavo Oliveira def. Anas Azizoun

    Catalin Safta def. Nicolas Di Franco

    Mahio Campanella def. Matiss Zaharovs

    Dean Garnett def. Tuomas Grönvall

    Ibragim Ibragimov def. Mathys Duragrin

    Movsar Ibragimov def. Gerardo Fanny

    Chequina Noso Pedro def. Khamzat Abaev

    Boris Atangana def. Bruno Santos

    Gaetano Pirrello def. Salvatore Liga

    https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1941594334970654910

    Taylor Lapilus def. Ali Taleb

    Patrick Habirora def. Danny Roberts

  • ‘An Absolute Superstar’ – Fans React To Paul Hughes Starching Bruno Miranda In PFL Belfast Main Event

    ‘An Absolute Superstar’ – Fans React To Paul Hughes Starching Bruno Miranda In PFL Belfast Main Event

    “Big News” is the big news coming out of PFL Europe’s event in Belfast.

    Paul Hughes fulfilled his dream of competing at the SSE Arena in Belfast and made an impact while doing so, finishing Bruno Miranda in less than a minute in the evening’s featured bout.

    Miranda opened the fight with a series of kicks, mainly focusing on the legs of Hughes. But all it took was one counter for the fight to turn things on a dime and end quickly. Hughes caught a kick and landed a left hook that dropped Miranda. Hughes followed up with a barrage of ground-and-pound until the referee stepped in, awarding the fight to Hughes after just 42 seconds.

    Paul Hughes Ends PFL Belfast Main Event In 42 Seconds, Calls Out Usman Nurmagomedov For Rematch

    https://twitter.com/ProchazkaSzn/status/1921309712055783802

    Hughes signed with the PFL in 2024, debuting at the Bellator Champions Series event in June 2024, finishing Bobby King. Hughes then scored a major victory over A.J. McKee at the Battle of the Giants card in October before challenging Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title in the main card of PFL’s Road to Dubai event in January — a fight Hughes lost via a controversial decision.

    Hughes called out Nurmagomedov for a re-match following the win.

    Miranda has now lost three of his last four. Miranda made the semi-finals of the 2023 PFL lightweight season, losing to Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

  • VIDEO: Connor Hughes Sends Sebastien Di Franco To The Shadow Realm With One-Punch KO At PFL Belfast

    VIDEO: Connor Hughes Sends Sebastien Di Franco To The Shadow Realm With One-Punch KO At PFL Belfast

    While it’s Paul Hughes who is competing in the headline slot of PFL Belfast, another Hughes, Connor, may have stolen the show with a brutal finish.

    Hughes scored a second-round knockout of Sebastien Di Franco in a featured bout of the event, which featured the first round of the PFL Europe lightweight tournament.

    Hughes busted up Di Franco’s leg badly in the opening frame with a series of leg kicks. Hughes dominated the opening frame with check hooks, left punches, and working combinations. Di Franco had his own fair success with strikes, but he was unable to handle Hughes’ timing and accuracy.

    Di Franco started to get into a groove in the second round, getting his hands going. But one powerful right hand from Hughes changed all that, flooring Di Franco and knocking him out cold.

    Connor Hughes Puts Sebastien Di Franco To Sleep With Walk-Off KO At PFL Belfast

    Hughes has competed in the previous two seasons of PFL Europe, falling in the opening round of the 2023 tournament to Dylan Tuke (making Hughes’ first pro loss) and losing in last year’s final to two-time champion Jakub Kaszuba.

    Hughes now moves on to the 2025 PFL Europe lightweight tournament semifinals, where he will face Gino van Steenis. The younger brother of Costello van Steenis defeated Decky McAleenan.

    Di Franco has now lost three of his last four.

  • VIDEO: Alex Chizov Sleeps Mark Ewen With Single Left Hand At PFL Belfast

    VIDEO: Alex Chizov Sleeps Mark Ewen With Single Left Hand At PFL Belfast

    The PFL World Tournament has produced a number of upsets in its first-round events already, and now PFL Europe’s 2025 season — with only its lightweight fights at tonight’s PFL Belfast card — is not an exception.

    Alex Chizov did not need long to put away Mark Ewen and secure a semifinal spot in the PFL Europe lightweight bracket.

    After some leg kicks from both men, Chizov started to work the right hand. Ewen did not look like he was into second gear yet when Chizov landed a left hand that dropped Ewen. Chizov only got a follow-up shot or two in before the referee quickly stepped in to halt the action, giving Chizov the win in about a minute-and-a-half.

    Alex Chizov KOs Mark Ewen In 93 Seconds At PFL Belfast

    After defeating Omar Hussein in his 2022 PFL debut, “Pretty Boy” Chizov came into tonight’s bout off back-to-back losses against Acoidan Duque and Daniele Scatizzi.

    Chizov will now face Claudio Pacella, who defeated Gavin Hughes in another first-round fight held at PFL Belfast, in the tournament’s semi-finals later this year.

    Ewen is now 1-2 in PFL Europe and has lost two of his last three after starting his professional MMA career 5-0.

  • VIDEO: Eoin Sheridan Brutalizes With Quick KO at PFL Belfast

    VIDEO: Eoin Sheridan Brutalizes With Quick KO at PFL Belfast

    Talk about making a statement in just your second appearance with a promotion – Eoin Sheridan did just that.

    Sheridan didn’t need much for a quick night at the office, scoring a fast-paced knockout of Malichi Edwards during the early card of the PFL Europe event in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

    Sheridan cracked Edwards with a right hand mere seconds into the fight, causing him to go right on the attack. Sheridan fired off flurries on a rocked Edwards, trying to finish things quickly. After failing at a takedown and eating punch after punch, Edwards somehow survived and got back to his feet — even after a takedown from Sheridan.

    Eoin Sheridan Puts Away Malichi Edwards In Less Than Two Minutes at PFL Belfast

    Still, he didn’t look completely recovered. And before the two-minute mark of the fight hit, Sheridan landed another one-two that folded Edwards.

    Sheridan made his professional MMA debut in September 2023, defeating Joey Dakin via doctor’s stoppage. He followed that up with his PFL debut in December, scoring a decision over Brice Belghazi.

    Edwards now falls to 4-2 after starting his MMA career 3-0.

  • Paul Hughes’ Opponent For PFL Belfast Homecoming Revealed

    Paul Hughes’ Opponent For PFL Belfast Homecoming Revealed

    PFL star Paul Hughes now has a target in his sights for later this year.

    Hughes (13-2) boosted his stock despite a loss in January when he battled Usman Nurmagomedov for the Bellator lightweight title in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

    While he was largely dismissed by the Russian standout during the build-up, “Big News” pushed him to the limit across five rounds. Some even maintain that the ex-Cage Warriors champion did enough to deserve the victory, a sentiment shared by Hughes himself.

    With that in mind, the Northern Irishman was quick to call for an immediate rematch in his native country, and he appeared to have the backing of the PFL higher-ups and many in the community.

    But with Nurmagomedov seemingly planning to sit out until September or October, Hughes has had to settle for just half of his callout coming to fruition.

    After much speculation, the PFL officially confirmed this week that Paul Hughes will headline a PFL Europe event in his country’s capital city, Belfast, on May 10.

    And an opponent has now been attached to Hughes’ return, with “Big News” lined up to share the cage with Bruno Miranda (17-5), a former PFL semifinalist who most recently defeated Patricky Pitbull.

    Paul Hughes will look to return to winning ways at Miranda’s expense and stake his claim for a second showdown with Nurmagomedov before the year’s end.

  • Paul Hughes Set To Return At PFL Event In Northern Ireland Four Months On From Nurmagomedov Battle

    Paul Hughes Set To Return At PFL Event In Northern Ireland Four Months On From Nurmagomedov Battle

    PFL star Paul Hughes has gotten his wish — or, at the very least, half of it.

    Hughes enhanced his reputation in defeat earlier this year when he challenged for Usman Nurmagomedov’s Bellator lightweight title in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

    Despite being largely dismissed by the Dagestani during the lead-up, “Big News” pushed him to the limit across five rounds. Some even believed the former Cage Warriors champion did enough to deserve the nod, a sentiment shared by the man himself.

    With that in mind, Hughes was quick to call for an immediate rematch in his native country. In that regard, he appeared to have the support of the PFL higher-ups and many in the MMA community.

    But with Nurmagomedov reportedly planning to sit out until the fall, the Northern Irishman has seemingly had to settle for just one of his wishes.

    In a social media post this weekend, Hughes recorded a video in front of a sign advertising a PFL event in Belfast this coming May 10. News of that event was first reported by Al Zullino last week, and the locals look set to see their leading man in action at the top of the card.

    “Dreams come true,” Hughes wrote. “May 10th- SSE Arena Belfast. Apparently Usman needs a wee break. So who the f*ck wants it?” #HOMECOMING”

    With a second dance opposite Nurmagomedov appearing out of the equation for the time being, it remains to be seen who the PFL will line up to share the cage with Hughes in hostile territory later this year.

  • 2024 PFL Europe Championship Results & Highlights

    2024 PFL Europe Championship Results & Highlights

    After carrying out the second PFL Europe regular season and playoffs, the Professional Fighters League’s first continental expansion brought the SmartCage back to France for the 2024 Championship.

    A few weeks on from the conclusion of the PFL’s global season at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the LDLC Arena in Lyon played host to PFL Europe’s final event of this year. Unsurprisingly, a number of France’s own were in action, and that included Abdoul Abdouraguimov at the top of the lineup.

    Victories over Brad Wheeler and Jack Grant after signing with the PFL moved “Lazy King’s” overall record to 18-1. And the highly touted 29-year-old further extended his winning run at the expense of former UFC veteran Laureano Staropoli in Friday’s main event.

    Elsewhere on the card, the second PFL Europe welterweight, lightweight, and bantamweight kingpins were crowned, in addition to a singular queen at 125 pounds as one woman looked to succeed Dakota Ditcheva and hopes to follow her path to global glory next year.

    While the event was available on DAZN for select countries, it unfortunately wasn’t broadcast to audiences in the United States. But you can catch up on all the action below.

    PFL Europe Championship Results & Highlights

    • Welterweight: Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Laureano Staropoli via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
    • Catchweight (165lbs): Patrick Habirora def. Catalin Safta via KO (punch): R3, 2:16
    • Heavyweight: Mickaël Groguhe def. Lamine Sene via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Bantamweight Championship: Lewis McGrillen-Evans def. Alexander Luster via TKO (punches): R2, 3:52
    • Lightweight Championship: Jakub Kaszuba def. Connor Hughes via TKO (punches): R4, 4:07
    • Featherweight: Mathys Duragrin def. Yassin Chtatou via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)
    • Bantamweight: Mahio Campanella def. Mehdi Saadi via submission (arm-triangle choke): R1, 4:45
    • Catchweight (177lbs): Salvo Giudice def. Atilla Kobas via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
    • Welterweight Championship: Florim Zendeli def. Daniele Miceli via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 4:24
    • Flyweight Championship: Paulina Wiśniewska def. Valentina Scatizzi via TKO (knee & punches): R1, 0:20
    • Welterweight: Eoin Sheridan def. Brice Belghazi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Lightweight: Claudio Pacella def. Oscar Ownsworth via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

    Claudio Pacella Def. Oscar Ownsworth

    Eoin Sheridan Def. Brice Belghazi

    Paulina Wiśniewska Def. Valentina Scatizzi

    Florim Zendeli Def. Daniele Miceli

    Salvo Giudice Def. Atilla Kobas

    Mahio Campanella Def. Mehdi Saadi

    Mathys Duragrin Def. Yassin Chtatou

    Jakub Kaszuba Def. Connor Hughes

    Lewis McGrillen-Evans Def. Alexander Luster

    Patrick Habirora Def. Catalin Safta

    Abdoul Abdouraguimov Def. Laureano Staropoli

  • Cédric Doumbé Gets Dana White-esque Role For PFL Europe Championship Event

    Cédric Doumbé Gets Dana White-esque Role For PFL Europe Championship Event

    PFL superstar Cédric Doumbé is set to be in attendance for the PFL Europe’s final show of the year that is coming up in Lyon, France on December 14. The promotion will crown it’s second set of champions at the LDLC arena with four final-round match-ups set for the card.

    Doumbé isn’t set to be in action on the card despite not fighting since May and you’d imagine, he will be saved for a big PPV card from the PFL early next year now that the full card for the World Championships has been announced.

    Instead, the French striker will take on a different role later this year as he looks to give some emerging French talent his seal of approval. Fight fans are used to tuning into Dana White’s Contender Series each year where UFC hopefuls fight it out to try and impress the promotion’s bosses in order to secure a contract.

    Eight French fighters will now get the opportunity to do something similar but rather than fighting at the Apex in front of White and the matchmakers, they will need to impress one of the biggest names in Europe. “Doumbé decides” will feature four fights on the PFL Europe 4 card where at the end, the striking specialist will have the final say on who did enough to earn themselves a spot on the PFL roster.

    “The Lazy King” Abdoul Abdouraguimov is set to return in the main event of the evening where he takes on Argentina’s Laureano Staropoli with more fights set to be announced.

  • ‘Fight Of The Year Across Any Promotion’ – MMA Fans React After Wild PFL Europe Brawl Features 14 Knockdowns!

    ‘Fight Of The Year Across Any Promotion’ – MMA Fans React After Wild PFL Europe Brawl Features 14 Knockdowns!

    This past Saturday in Glasgow, Scotland, PFL Europe 3 produced possibly the best fight to have ever taken place in the Smart Cage.

    After his previous opponent withdrew, Lewis McGrillen stepped in as an alternate to face Dean Garnett in the semi-final play-offs of the bantamweight tournament.

    What followed was an unbelievable back-and-forth war between the two Brits that featured a staggering 14 knockdowns in just 12 minutes.

    The majority of them came from McGrillen, who is known for knocking opponents out cold but Garnett kept recovering and getting back to his feet.

    That was until the fifth round where a heavy shot landed and sent Garnett face down to the canvas, giving “McGrizzla” a spectacular walk-off KO moment.

    MMA Fans React To Fight Of The Year Contender In PFL Europe

    In what will surely go down as one of the best fights of the year, if not one of the greatest bouts in the history of UK MMA, McGrillen vs Garnett sure did turn some heads.

    MMA fans reacted on social media to one of the wildest contests that you’re ever likely to see.

    “Fight of year across any promotion”

    “This is unreal, both fighters just biting down on the mouthpiece and going for the knockout. Pure fighting.”

    “Both of these guys have jaws made of STEEL!!!”

    “Gotta be the greatest fight in UKMMA history. Best scrap I’ve seen live”

    “Crazy fight , I almost missed the Bryan Battle fight because this was the best fight I have seen all year. Insanity from both fighters.”

    Read also: Paddy Pimblett Gives 3-Word Reaction To Renato Moicano’s Callout At UFC Paris

  • 2024 PFL Europe 3: Playoffs Results & Highlights: Stevie Ray Lands ‘Scottish Twister’

    2024 PFL Europe 3: Playoffs Results & Highlights: Stevie Ray Lands ‘Scottish Twister’

    The 2024 PFL Europe Playoffs took place on Saturday, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

    Having broken onto the scene with its regular season and playoff format in North America, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has begun its pursuit of further prominence around the globe.

    In 2023, that took sizable step forward with the maiden PFL Europe season. And the sophomore campaign moved closer to its lucrative conclusion in Lyon, France today when the playoff bouts went down inside the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

    After the season bouts all eyes were on local favorite and former PFL global lightweight finalist Stevie Ray as he returned from retirement to headline on home soil.

    “Braveheart” thrilled his home crowd by notching his self-created submission, the Scottish twister, for the second time in his career to submit Lewis Long in the very first round.

    While the event was broadcast on DAZN for select countries, it was unfortunately not available to audiences in the United States. However, MMA News has you covered below with the full results and all the highlights below.

    2024 PFL Europe Playoffs Results & Highlights

    Main Card:

    • Welterweight Main Event: Stevie Ray def. Lewis Long via submission (Scottish twister): R1, 4:21
    • Catchweight (150lbs) Co-Main Event: Rob Whiteford def. Roger Huerta via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Lightweight: Mark Ewen def. Yassin Chtatou via submission (D’arce choke): R1, 2:30
    • Bantamweight Playoff: Lewis McGrillen def. Dean Garnett via KO (left hook): R3, 1:45
    • Bantamweight Playoff: Alexander Luster def. Julian Lopez via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 1:15
    • Welterweight Playoff: Florim Zendeli def. Jack Grant via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
    • Welterweight Playoff Bout: Daniele Miceli def. Ibrahima Mané via TKO (uppercut & punches): R1, 1:26

    Preliminary Card:

    • Lightweight Playoff: Jakub Kaszuba def. Daniele Scatizzi via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Lightweight Playoff: Connor Hughes def. Ignacio Capella via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
    • Women’s Flyweight Playoff: Shanelle Dyer def. Valentina Scatizzi via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
    • Women’s Flyweight Playoff: Paulina Wiśniewska def. Karolina Wójcik via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
    • Lightweight Showcase: Lorenzo Parente def. Stefano Catacoli via submission (armbar): R1, 1:45
    • Bantamweight Showcase Bout: Matiss Zaharovs def. Brian Hyslop via submission (rear-naked choke): R2, 4:18
    • Women’s Flyweight Showcase: Gemma Auld def. Weronika Pietruszka via TKO (punches): R1, 4:50

    Gemma Auld Def. Weronika Pietruszka

    Matiss Zaharovs Def. Brian Hyslop

    Lorenzo Parente Def. Stefano Catacoli

    Paulina Wiśniewska Def. Karolina Wójcik

    Shanelle Dyer Def. Valentina Scatizzi

    Jakub Kaszuba Def. Daniele Scatizzi

    Daniele Miceli Def. Ibrahima Mané

    Florim Zendeli Def. Jack Grant

    Alexander Luster Def. Julian Lopez

    Lewis McGrillen Def. Dean Garnett

    Mark Ewen Def. Yassin Chtatou

    Rob Whiteford Def. Roger Huerta

    Stevie Ray Def. Lewis Long

  • Former PFL Finalist Returns From Retirement To Headline PFL Europe Card In Glasgow On September 28

    PFL Europe has confirmed details for the third installment of the 2024 season as the promotion heads to Glasgow, Scotland, for the first time.

    The official announcement states that elite MMA hasn’t been featured in this location for seven years, but all of that changes at the OVO Hydro on September 28.

    Two Scottish fighters have also been announced for the top two spots on the card. In the main event, former PFL finalist Stevie Ray comes out of retirement to take on Wales’ Lewis Long.

    “Braveheart” retired in June of last year after back-to-back defeats to Natan Schulte and Clay Collard eliminated him from the regular season.

    Long, meanwhile, is an experienced competitor with 26 fights on his pro record, having competed under the banners of both Bellator and Cage Warriors in the past. He last fought in May of 2022, suffering a decision loss to Thibault Gouti at Bellator 280.

    Scotland’s Robert Whiteford takes the co-main event slot having also not fought since May of 2022 when he competed at Bellator 281.

    He will be taking on the returning Roger Huerta, who has been out of competition since 2021 following a losing streak to some of the top names in Bellator. The 38-fight veteran last won a fight in 2017 and has faced some of the top names in his weight class in the UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship.

    PFL Europe returns this Saturday in Newcastle, England, for the second stop on the way to the finals later this year in December.