Fabricio Werdum was stopped by Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut.
Former UFC heavyweight Fabricio Werdum was felled in his debut for the PFL on Thursday, losing to Renan Ferreira by first round knockout. However, many think—including Werdum—that the fight should had been over before that happened.
In the moments before Ferreira was able to throw down the fight ended ground strikes it certainly looked like he tapped (twice) from a triangle choke. Despite that, referee Keith Peterson seemingly didn’t notice and the fight continued. Ferreira’s win earned him the maximum six points available, skyrocketing him up the PFL regular season heavyweight standings.
Werdum has since said that he will appeal that result. See the videos below for both the ‘phantom tap’ and the KO.
Before his finish against Fabricio Werdum, Renan Ferreira appeared to tap Werdum twice on the shoulder. #2021PFL3 pic.twitter.com/1M5ktz4xX4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 7, 2021
That victory was undoubtedly the biggest win of Ferreira’s career. By stopping the 34-fight veteran ‘Problema’ moves his record to 7-2.
The other big winner of the night was Kayla Harrison, who very few people think will have any problem running through the PFL’s lightweight division. She easily handled Mariana Morais, finishing the Brazilian with ground and pound in about 90 seconds.
After the fight Harrison delivered a promo worthy of the WWE, with a literal mic drop. Harrison, a former Olympic gold medallist in judo, moved her MMA record to 9-0 and showed, again, that there may not be a woman her size on the planet who can compete with her.
Kayla’s hands are rated E for everybody
Mic Drop Moment pic.twitter.com/SprH1HkObs
— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021
Also on the card former Invicta matchmaker Kaitlin Young beat Cindy Dandois by unanimous decision and Brandon Sayles submitted Mohammed Usman (Kamaru Usman’s younger brother).
Full PFL 3 Results:
Heavyweight: Renan Ferreira def. Fabricio Werdum via KO (strikes), round 1 (2:32)
Lightweight: Kayla Harrison def. Mariana Morais via TKO (strikes), round 1 (1:23)
Heavyweight: Brandon Sayles def. Mohammed Usman via submission (rear-naked choke), round 2 (3:42)
Brandon Sayles puts Mohammed Usman to sleep! #2021PFL3 LIVE NOW
ESPN
https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/SeucuJAcdF— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021
Lightweight: Larissa Pacheco def. Julija Pajic via TKO (strikes), round 1, (0:51)
The shot that started it all!!#2021PFL3 LIVE NOW
ESPN
https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/ZG361U6xdS— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021
Heavyweight: Bruno Cappelozza def. Ante Delija via KO (punches), round 1 (0:46)
BRUNO UNLOADS AND GETS THE 6 POINT FINISH!#2021PFL3 LIVE NOW
ESPN
https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/Is8WoMoUU3— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021
Lightweight: Kaitlin Young def. Cindy Dandois via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Lightweight: Genah Fabian def. Laura Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Muhammed Dereese via TKO (strikes), round 1 (4:21)
Denis Goltsov gets the 1st round finish!! He moves to the top of the heavyweight standings with 6 points!
#2021PFL3 LIVE NOW
ESPN
https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/IYNAdqSA79— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 6, 2021
Lightweight: Taylor Guardado def. Helena Kolesnyk via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Heavyweight: Magomed Umalatov def. Kyron Bowen via TKO (strikes), round 2 (0:07)
Magomed Umaltov gets the first KO of the night!!!#2021PFL3 LIVE NOW
ESPN+
https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/Y4lWVf58bf— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 6, 2021