Tag: PFL News

Gadzhi Rabadanov Lands Brutal Third-Round Knockout of Brent Primus – PFL World Championship Highlights

Gadzhi Rabadanov Lands Brutal Third-Round Knockout of Brent Primus - PFL World Championship HighlightsGadzhi Rabadanov put his world-class striking on display and scored an epic third-round knockout against former Bellator titleholder Brent…

Gadzhi Rabadanov Lands Brutal Third-Round Knockout of Brent Primus - PFL World Championship Highlights

Gadzhi Rabadanov put his world-class striking on display and scored an epic third-round knockout against former Bellator titleholder Brent Primus at the PFL World Championship in Riyadh.

Rabadanov got his ground game going right out of the gate, landing an early takedown on Primus and controlling the action on the mat. Primus went submission hunting from the bottom, searching for a guillotine and a gogoplata. Primus was unable to lock in a maneuver, but his offense from the bottom kept Rabadanov from accomplishing anything substantial on top.

Primus did a better job of fending off the takedown in the second, but Rabadanov connected with a right hook that sat Primus down just before the two-minute mark of the round. Rabadanov quickly followed him down to the mat and settled into Primus’ guard. Primus never made it back to his feet, essentially surrendering the round to Rabadanov.

It was more of the same in the third round with Rabadanov blasting Primus with a booming right hand that sent the ex-Bellator champion to the mat. This time, Rabadanov opted to stay on his feet, peppering Primus with leg kicks before letting him back up. Rabadanov clearly has a speed advantage over Primus and lands another heavy blow, this time a left hand.

Primus eats it, but Rabadanov comes right back with a combination that stiffens Primus on his feet. Rabadanov lands another right that sends Primus crashing to the canvas face first. Rabadanov lands one more shot on the ground before referee Keith Peterson can step in and call for the stoppage.

Official Result: Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus via KO (strike) at 2:31 of Round 3.

Check out highlights from Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov at the pFL World Championship:

Denis Goltsov Scores Slick Triangle Sumbission Victory Against Oleg Popov – PFL World Championship Highlights

Denis Goltsov Scores Slick Triangle Sumbission Victory Against Oleg Popov - PFL World Championship HighlightsDenis Goltsov finally broke through and became a million-dollar winner with a slick first-round submission victory over Oleg Popov…

Denis Goltsov Scores Slick Triangle Sumbission Victory Against Oleg Popov - PFL World Championship Highlights

Denis Goltsov finally broke through and became a million-dollar winner with a slick first-round submission victory over Oleg Popov to kick off the PFL World Championship main card in Saudi Arabia.

Popov came out pumping his jab early, but it didn’t take long for him to change level and secure a takedown, putting Goltsov on his back within a minute. As Popov looked to get some work done on the mat, Goltsov cinched in a slick triangle choke from the bottom.

Popov did his best to defend the hold, stacking Goltsov against the fence, but by then the maneuver was already locked in. Before long, Popov went unconscious, forcing the referee to step in and call for the stoppage.

Official Result: Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov via submission (triangle choke) at 2:55 of Round 1.

Check out highlights from Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov at the PFL World Championship:

Saudi Sensation Hattan Alsaif Knees Her Way to Another Highlight-Reel KO – PFL World Championship Highlights

Hattan AlsaifSaudi Arabian sensation Hattan Alsaif scored her third-straight finish as part of the PFL World Championships on Friday in…

Hattan Alsaif

Saudi Arabian sensation Hattan Alsaif scored her third-straight finish as part of the PFL World Championships on Friday in Riyadh.

Osmani came out swinging from the get-go and immediately tried to take Alsaif down. Alsaif defended well and briefly took Osmani’s back during the scramble before eventually lifting her off the mat and slamming Osmani back down to the ground.

After starting the fight fast and furious, Osmani’s pace significantly slowed in the second as Alsaif got things started with a nice push kick. With her opponent backed up against the fence, Alsaif unleashed a perfectly timed knee that caught Osmani in the midsection and sent her crashing to the canvas. Alsaif caught her with another on the way down, prompting the referee to step in and call for the stoppage just past the 30-second mark of the second round.

Official Result: Hattan Alsaif def. Lilia Osmani via TKO (knees to the body) in Round 2.

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With the win, Alsaif moved to 3-0 as an amateur with all three of her victories coming by way of knockout.

Check out highlights from Hattan Alsaif vs. Lilia Osmani at the PFL World Championship:

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai – Bellator vs. PFL

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai - Bellator vs. PFLHeavyweights Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija has just been announced as a PFL vs. Bellator showdown. The PFL is…

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai - Bellator vs. PFL

Heavyweights Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija has just been announced as a PFL vs. Bellator showdown. The PFL is hosting a major MMA event, Champions Series Dubai, on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. This event marks the start of a new partnership to establish Dubai as a key destination for MMA. The show will feature two marquee fights: a lightweight title bout and a heavyweight clash.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija

In the main event, undefeated lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) from Dagestan will defend his title against Ireland’s rising star Paul Hughes (13-1). Hughes is coming off the biggest win of his career after defeating AJ McKee at the PFL’s Battle of the Giants.

Meanwhile, the co-main event pits former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov (18-2) from Russia against Ante Delija (24-6) from Croatia. Nemkov, riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, is a dominant finisher with victories over Yoel Romero and Corey Anderson. He is a protege of all-time great Fedor Emelianenko. Delija, a former PFL champion, is known for his knockout power and submission skills, carrying on Croatia’s heavyweight MMA legacy alongside names like Mirko Cro Cop and Stipe Miocic.

This event is part of the “Road to Dubai” series, an initiative developed through a partnership between the PFL, Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism, and the Dubai Sports Council. The partnership between PFL and Dubai authorities also creates opportunities for local Emirati fighters to rise through the ranks. This event kicks off a multi-year push to make Dubai a global MMA hotspot while showcasing the sport’s top athletes and promoting new talent.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Ante Delija Added to Champions Series Dubai Bellator vs. PFL 2

Dakota Ditcheva’s Rise to Stardom Has Sparked ‘A Little Bit of Jealousy’ Among PFL Fighters

Dakota Ditcheva's Rise to Stardom Has Sparked 'A Little Bit of Jealousy' Among PFL FightersManchester native Dakota Ditcheva is quickly becoming one of MMA’s biggest stars. After taking the world by storm under…

Dakota Ditcheva's Rise to Stardom Has Sparked 'A Little Bit of Jealousy' Among PFL Fighters

Manchester native Dakota Ditcheva is quickly becoming one of MMA’s biggest stars.

After taking the world by storm under the PFL Europe banner in 2023, ‘Dangerous’ has seen her star rise as part of the inaugural PFL flyweight women’s tournament, earning a trio of first-round knockouts against Lisa Mauldin, Chelsea Hackett, and Jena Bishop. Those wins have led her to the PFL Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia where she’ll face Taila Santos in the $1 million final on November 29.

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As is the case with any fighter on the fast track to fame and fortune, Ditcheva has seen her fair share of detractors come out of the woodwork — many of them accusing the PFL of feeding her favorable matchups to ensure her entry into the flyweight finale at The Mayadeen.

Dakota Ditcheva encourages fighters to stop making excuses and start getting noticed

Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of her return to the Smart Cage, Ditcheva chalked up the negativity to a few jealous fighters who haven’t put in the same work she has to get noticed.

“There is definitely a little bit of jealousy I think and a bit of frustration from a few fighters,” Ditcheva said. “I get it…it’s a business. We have to be able to sell these fights in order to get paid. If you want to get paid, do something. Make your fights exciting or get on social media and make an effort. You have to.

“The people that were mad at these fighters, certain fighters making money, but if you look at the ones making money, it’s the personalities in the sport. Or the fighters that are doing something different,” Ditcheva continued. “I don’t know why anybody is getting frustrated just with me. Because I’m just like, getting what I can out of my years in this sport and I feel like that would be the clever thing to do” (h/t MMA News).

Overall, Ditcheva is a perfect 13-0 with 11 of her wins coming by way of knockout and one submission.

Including her work in PFL Europe, ‘Dangerous’ has a 100% finish rate inside the Smart Cage — a stat she’ll look to keep intact against another well-known finisher in the world of women’s MMA.

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Randy Couture to Jon Jones: If You’re the GOAT ‘Step Up and Fight’ Francis Ngannou or Tom Aspinall

Randy Couture to Jon Jones: If You’re the GOAT 'Step Up and Fight' Francis Ngannou or Tom AspinallMMA legend and multi-time UFC champion Randy Couture says that it’s time that Jon Jones stepped up to the…

Randy Couture to Jon Jones: If You’re the GOAT 'Step Up and Fight' Francis Ngannou or Tom Aspinall

MMA legend and multi-time UFC champion Randy Couture says that it’s time that Jon Jones stepped up to the real challenges of the heavyweight division. Francis Ngannou and Tom Aspinall were both ducked by the current heavyweight champion.

Randy Couture

The Natural’ Randy Couture is a five-time UFC champion having collected titles in the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. He is best known for his rivalries against fighters such as Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, and Tim Sylvia.

Despite the Olympic wrestler being a trailblazer in the sport, he is on the UFC’s naughty list as he was constantly clashing with the brass on his rights and contractual disputes. In the 2000s, he walked away from the UFC to pursue a fight against the all-time great heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko as the UFC refused to co-promote with the organizations that had the contract of Fedor.

Randy Couture reveals gnarly aftermath of fight with UFC rival Pedro Rizzo I couldn't walk for 6 weeks

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou or Tom Aspinall

‘Bones’ Jon Jones vacated his light heavyweight title after having an all-time great career running through the division. He then moved to heavyweight and captured the throne and later defended it against the aged Stipe Miocic while avoiding the interim champion Tom Aspinall. Additionally, while Francis Ngannou was the UFC heavyweight champion, Jon Jones refused to step up the heavyweight at that time instead he chose to wait until the Cameroonian fighter had left the organization.

Francis Ngannou PFL
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Enough is enough according to Randy Couture. According to him, Jon Jones must face Aspinall or Ngannou for the sake of his legacy even if it requires co-promotion. In a recent interview with talkSPORT, Couture said:

“That was certainly the fight I pursued for a long time—to fight Fedor. It never happened. I think that that conversation, obviously, we’re still having it right now. And Jon Jones—as much as he doesn’t wanna fight Francis—is gonna have trouble avoiding that. Now he says he didn’t wanna fight Tom. I mean, why? You’re supposedly the GOAT. Step up and fight whoever they want you to fight.

“I’m not in Jon’s head, so I couldn’t tell you. I think, you know, he needs to step up and fight the guys they want him to fight. You can’t shy away from guys, anybody, honestly. So, I mean, that’s a challenge. But certainly, Tom has earned—earned a crack and deserves that. Whether Francis—and they do a co-promotion or cross-promotion—that, you know, that’s something that… our sport is still very anti-competitive.

“There’s no transparency in the sport. There’s no way to do those types of cross-promotions.The restrictive nature of the contracts in the promotions themselves prevents that. That’s why the Fedor fight never happened. One wanted to do a co-promotion with the UFC, and the UFC wasn’t willing to do that. I don’t think their attitude on co-promotion has changed. So that will be a big challenge—to see Francis get in there with Jon or Tom, if Tom beats Jon.”

Francis Ngannou currently holds the lineal UFC titles as he left the organization without losing the crown. He then competed in blockbuster boxing matches and picked up the PFL heavyweight title.

Couture is currently in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia part of the broadcast team for PFL 10 2024 on November 29 which features the tournament final bouts.