PFL heads to Atlantic city as they head for the homestretch of their 2018 season.
Professional Fighters League is almost ending its current regular season, and this week, they head to the Ocean Resort Casino in Atlantic City (formerly the Revel).
Middleweights and welterweights attempt to make a statement as the window for scoring and making the playoffs narrows down. The only exception is the lone women’s bout, which we’ll get to. As usual, a lot of familiar talents are on this one, with some interesting matchups and style clashes.
Main event is a battle between the owners of the two biggest upsets thus far in their 2018 season. Ray Cooper III (14-5) comes off his biggest career win over one of the best welterweights to walk the earth, Jake Shields. His opponent will be Pavel Kusch (23-5), the largely unheralded Ukrainian that submitted possible Bumfights fan Abubakar Nurmagomedov just last month. Cooper’s shown some skills and maturity as a fighter at only 25, while Kusch has shown some clever veteran savvy in both his striking game as well as his submission setups.
Judo Olympian and national treasure Kayla Harrison (1-0) faces Jozette Cotton (8-1). Harrison defeated BJJ specialist Brittney Elkin in her previous fight, while Cotton has won two straight. Cotton is unfortunately mostly known for her odd performance against Holly Lawson at 129 back in 2014. Primarily a boxer, Cotton’s clearly going to be a test for Harrison’s defense.
Alaska Fighting Championship’s Carlton Minus (9-0) gets tossed into the deep end against former UFC fighter Rick Story (20-9). Minus has a dynamic striking style, and is replacing injured UFC and Bellator vet Paul Bradley. Minus is a very good athlete and a confident fighter, and Story should be more than ready to engage and oblige him standing.
Jake Shields (32-10, 1 draw) attempts to bounce back from the previously mentioned defeat as he deals with Guam’s own Herman Terrado (15-4, 1 draw), while another former UFC fighter in Bojan Velickovic (16-6, 1 draw) faces Russia’s Magomed Magomedkerimov (19-5). Bojan’s first fight outside the UFC was a win over Jonatan Westin (also on this card) via ground strikes, while Magomedkerimov defeated Terrado by rear naked choke in his last outing.
UFD Dusselforf product Abusupiyan Magomedov (20-3) brings his heavy striking style against Brazilian Anderson Gonçalves (11-2). Puncher of terrorists John “Doomsday” Howard (26-13) steps in against hulking Brazilian Bruno Santos (17-2), and Eddie “Truck“ Gordon battles Gasan Umalatov (17-6, 1 draw)
Ray Cooper III vs Pavel Kusch – Welterweight
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs Bojan Velickovic – Welterweight
Kayla Harrison vs Jozette Cotton – Lightweight
Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs Jonatan Westin – Welterweight
João Zeferino vs Yuri Villefort – Welterweight
Rick Story vs Carlton Minus – Welterweight
Jake Shields vs Herman Terrado – Welterweight
John Howard vs Bruno Santos – Middleweight
Abusupiyan Magomedov vs Anderson Gonçalves – Middleweight
Shamil Gamzatov vs Rex Harris – Middleweight
Louis Taylor vs Andre Lobato – Middleweight
Gasan Umalatov vs Eddie Gordon – Middleweight
PFL 2018 Week 6 begins tonight with prelims streaming live and free on Facebook, with a time that is as of yet not determined. Main card will be live as usual on NBC Sports.