Discuss the welterweight and lightweight semifinals of the PFL 2021 playoffs right here on Bloody Elbow.
The 2021 PFL playoffs are here!
Tonight (Aug. 13) at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida we will see the welterweight and lightweight semifinals. Unlike previous seasons you don’t need two wins in one night to make the final. Instead, all of the semifinalists compete in their respective divisions over then next few weeks and the $1 million tournament finals will occur on October 27th.
Kicking off the PFL postseason are the welterweights and lightweights. The 2019 champion Ray Cooper III will headline the card against former UFC contender and ex-Bellator champion Rory MacDonald. Whoever wins that fight will go up against the winner of the other semifinal between Magomed Magomedkerimov and Sadibou Sy.
At lightweight, everyone’s favorite underdog Clay Collard looks to advance to the tournament final by beating Raush Manfio. The other semi pits Loik Radzhabov against Alexander Martinez.
Action begins at 5:30 PM ET with non-playoff bouts and continues with the playoff bouts at 9 PM ET on the main card.
Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN2/ESPN+)
Ray Cooper III def. Rory MacDonald by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – Welterweight semifinals
Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Sadibou Sy by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – Welterweight semifinals
Raush Manfio def. Clay Collard by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) – Lightweight semifinals
Loik Radzhabov def. Alexander Martinez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – Lightweight semifinals
Preliminary Card (5:30 PM ET, ESPN+)
Gleison Tibau def. Micah Terrill via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:18 of Round 1
Gleison Tibau squeezed him to sleep with the arm triangle #PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3F82ZSzWqQ
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 14, 2021
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Darrell Horcher via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-27)
Brett Cooper def. Tyler Hill via KO (punches) at 2:32 of Round 1
Brett Cooper face-planted him #PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/F2pLJCA1Vu
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 13, 2021
Magomed Umalatov def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Michael Lombardo def. Kyron Bowen via TKO (leg kicks) at 3:42 of Round 1
Calf kicks did the damage, but @Lombardo561 was even throwing calf punches #PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RzpgJHytb8
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 13, 2021
Elvin Espinoza def. Hopeton Stewart via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:45 of Round 1
Elvin Espinoza put him to sleep #PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/KyTbS6xRdv
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) August 13, 2021