PFL
Atlantic City might not be handle all the weight fromm the big boy divisions getting down this Thursday for the regular season finale.
PFL’s regular season comes to a close this week, with heavyweights, light heavyweights, and a nice bantamweight showcase thrown in for good measure. After this week’s card is in the books, PFL and its fighters take a sabbatical until October 11th—to begin the playoffs. All leading to the grand finale on New Year’s Eve.
Considering how many fights have been cancelled due to injuries, commissions not approving medicals, and botched weight cuts, this card should go off without a hitch.
Well, almost.
Ronny Markes missed weight for this one by 2.6lbs, moving his opponent Dan Spohn ahead with a walkover win and three points. That miss officially disqualifies Markes and bounces him out of the tournament.
The fights that remain on the card, however, are still brimming with action potential. Kelvin ‘The Mama’s Boy’ Tiller (11-2) snagged a vicious Kimura back in June, and now he’s facing Tech-Krep and ACB ace Denis Goltsov (23-5)—who enters the bout riding a four-fight win streak. Goltsov nailed Jared Rosholt with a left hand and follow up shots to earn a finish in June as well.
Japanese Olympian Satoshi Ishii (22-8, 1 draw) is repping Croatia these days, and getting training in with his old pal Cro Cop. He’ll look to put his new abilities on display against the aforementioned Jared Rosholt (17-7). Ishii’s won seven straight, with a victory over Fernando Rodrigues in KSW—and back-to-back wins via leg-scissor chokes, as seen here against Tony Lopez.
Former M-1 champ and UFC talent Vinny Magalhães (18-11) came so close to winning it all last year at the million dollar finals, before succumbing to eventual champ Sean O’Connell. He’s on his way to another playoff run this year, despite his loss to Emiliano Sordi. Before he gets there however, he’ll face Rakim Cleveland (19-12, 1 draw). Additionally, well-traveled vet Viktor Nemkov faces fellow Russian threat, and former M-1 fighter, Rashid Yusupov (11-1) in a rematch of their 2016 bout at M-1 Challege 66.
Former Fight Nights Global standout Mikhail Mokhnatkin (11-4, 2 draws) will clash with former M-1, FNG and Akhmat vet Maxim Grishin (29-7, 1 draw). Grishin has long been considered one of the best fighters outside of the major U.S. organizations. Former UFC fighter (and CamSoda superstar) Alex Nicholson (13-8) enters a battle of hard hitters, against Zeke Tuinei-Wily (3-2). And kickboxing powerhouse Ben Edwards (3-0) brings his brand of violence against revitalized former UFC fighter Francimar Barroso (23-7, 1 draw).
Emiliano Sordi (18-8) has looked great since his Contender Series appearance, and might give us a fun shootout against savvy striker Bozigit Ataev (21-3). Former UFC fighter Jordan Johnson (10-1) suffered his first professional loss, by decision, against Maxim Grishin last time out. But is looking to return to form, as he faces Sigi Pesaleli (1-1) at light heavyweight.
In the lone non-heavyweight or light heavyweight fight of the night, Umar Nurmagomedov looks to stay undefeated. He enters with his 11-0 record against Brazilian Sidemar Honorio (13-6), who just earned back to back wins after a loss to Louis Gaudinot in 2016.
Weigh-in results and full card are as follows:
Kelvin Tiller (265) vs Denis Goltsov (241.2) – Heavyweight
Satoshi Ishii (240.6) vs Jared Rosholt (257) – Heavyweight
Vinicius Magalhães (205.2) vs Rakim Cleveland (204.8) – Light heavyweight
Rashid Yusupov (206) vs Viktor Nemkov (205.6) – Light heavyweight
Ali Isaev (263.2) vs Carl Seumanutafa (265.2) – Heavyweight
Maksim Grishin (205.8) vs Mikhail Mokhnatkin (205.6) – Light heavyweight
Valdan Istrevi (244.4) vs Muhammed DeReese (245.6) – Heavyweight
Umar Nurmagomedov (135.8) vs Sidemar Honorio (135.4) – Bantamweight
Bozigit Ataev (205.6) vs Emiliano Sordi (205.8) – Light heavyweight
Alex Nicholson (238.2) vs Ezekiel Tuiney-Wily (265.6) – Heavyweight
Jordan Johnson (205.8) vs Sigi Pesaleli (204.8) – Light heavyweight
PFL Week 6 starts with prelims at 8:00pm EST on ESPN2. The main card will stream exclusively on ESPN+.