Tag: PFL News

PFL 2 Results & Highlights: Cappelozza Caps Off 3 Main-Card KOs

PFL’s heavyweights and featherweights took center stage for their season debut tonight at PFL 2, and MMA News will bring you the highlights! Tonight, PFL 2 took place from the Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas. The main event saw heavyweights Stuart Austin and last year’s championship winner Bruno Cappelozza battling it out. In the co-main…

Continue Reading PFL 2 Results & Highlights: Cappelozza Caps Off 3 Main-Card KOs at MMA News.

PFL’s heavyweights and featherweights took center stage for their season debut tonight at PFL 2, and MMA News will bring you the highlights!

Tonight, PFL 2 took place from the Esports Arena in Arlington, Texas. The main event saw heavyweights Stuart Austin and last year’s championship winner Bruno Cappelozza battling it out.

In the co-main event, featherweights Lance Palmer and Chris Wade looked to get their 2022 seasons off on the right foot.

You can learn more about the PFL, its active roster, and its unique points system here. Below, you can find the highlights from tonight’s main card.

Denis Goltsov def. Cody Goodale

Renan Ferreira def. Jamelle Jones

Brendan Loughnane def. Ryoji Kudo

Chris Wade def. Lance Palmer

Bruno Cappelozza def. Stuart Austin

PFL 2 MAIN CARD (ESPN2, 9:00 PM ET)

  • Bruno Cappelozza def. Stuart Austin via TKO (punches): R1 4:24
  • Chris Wade def. Lance Palmer via unanimous decision: (30-27×2, 29-28)
  • Brendan Loughnane def. Ryoji Kudo via technical decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Renan Ferreira def. Jamelle Jones via knockout: R1, 0:25
  • Denis Goltsov def. Cody Goodale via TKO (punches): R1, 3:20

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6:30 PM ET]

  • Ante Delija def. Matheus Scheffel via TKO (punches): R2, 0:59
  • Bubba Jenkins def. Kyle Bochniak via unanimous decision (29-28×3)
  • Klidson Abreu def. Adam Keresh via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)
  • Sheymon Moraes def. Boston Salmon via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
  • Alejandro Flores def. Saba Bolaghi via unanimous decision (30-27×2, 29-28)

Continue Reading PFL 2 Results & Highlights: Cappelozza Caps Off 3 Main-Card KOs at MMA News.

Cappelozza’s 2021 PFL Title Win Was Happiest & Saddest Day Of His Life

2021 PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza’s best day of his MMA career was also the worst in his personal life. Cappelozza’s first season in the PFL wrapped up with an exciting win over Ante Delija at the 2021 PFL Championships. After a back-and-forth war, Cappelozza won the fight via unanimous decision to earn the heavyweight…

Continue Reading Cappelozza’s 2021 PFL Title Win Was Happiest & Saddest Day Of His Life at MMA News.

2021 PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza’s best day of his MMA career was also the worst in his personal life.

Cappelozza’s first season in the PFL wrapped up with an exciting win over Ante Delija at the 2021 PFL Championships. After a back-and-forth war, Cappelozza won the fight via unanimous decision to earn the heavyweight belt and the $1 million grand prize.

But disaster would strike for Cappelozza and his family amidst the chaos and celebration at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL.

Cappelozza’s father, Joao, passed away before the event started. His family withheld news of his passing from Cappelozza so he could focus on the biggest fight of his MMA career.

During his PFL 2 pre-fight media day, Cappelozza was asked if he has more motivation following the death of his father.

“Absolutely,” Cappelozza said. “My Dad was always my biggest fan, my biggest supporter. So I’m here to keep following my dream, the dream of my family, and his dream as well. I know that wherever he’s at, he’s following me closely and what I’m achieving. My dreams are his dreams as well.”

Cappelozza was just minutes removed from winning the title when he got word that his father had passed away in his native Brazil. He was able to work through the whirlwind of emotions by relying on those closest to him.

“It was the happiest and saddest day of my life,” Cappelozza admitted. “My Dad is everything for me and for my family and we’re still mourning him. But I’m certain of his place in heaven. We all are. I’m just happy to provide for my family and happily represent them.”

Cappelozza will make his 2022 debut against British prospect Stuart Austin at PFL 2 on Thursday night. He’s won four-straight fights after a loss to current UFC light heavyweight contender Ji?í Procházka at RIZIN 11.

Cappelozza will look to become the first back-to-back PFL heavyweight champion in the league’s history and will use the lessons and love his father provided him with to continue on his path to success.

Do you think Bruno Cappelozza will repeat as PFL heavyweight champion in 2022?

Continue Reading Cappelozza’s 2021 PFL Title Win Was Happiest & Saddest Day Of His Life at MMA News.

Chris Wade Felt “Tortured” By 2021 PFL Title Loss Ahead Of 2022 Debut

PFL featherweight Chris Wade’s 2021 PFL Championship loss to Movlid Khaybulaev was harder for him to stomach than most realized. Wade will face former PFL champion Lance Palmer at PFL 2 on Thursday night. He’s coming off a memorable 2021 season that featured highlight wins over Bubba Jenkins and Arman Ospanov. Wade, a former UFC…

Continue Reading Chris Wade Felt “Tortured” By 2021 PFL Title Loss Ahead Of 2022 Debut at MMA News.

PFL featherweight Chris Wade’s 2021 PFL Championship loss to Movlid Khaybulaev was harder for him to stomach than most realized.

Wade will face former PFL champion Lance Palmer at PFL 2 on Thursday night. He’s coming off a memorable 2021 season that featured highlight wins over Bubba Jenkins and Arman Ospanov.

Wade, a former UFC fighter, has found a home in the PFL after an 11-year career in MMA. But the toughest loss of his career came after falling short of the 145-pound title to Khaybulaev last October.

During his PFL 2 pre-fight media day, Wade explained the aftermath of what he has described as the toughest defeat of his MMA career.

“We fell short, it was crushing,” Wade shared. “It was probably the hardest loss in MMA that I’ve ever had to deal with and to move past. There was a solid junk of time there before the holidays when I was pretty depressed. Pretty upset, going through waves of emotion. Just asking myself ‘Why?’…then if you’re a competitor and you’re a winner, and you stop feeling sorry for yourself, you squash those feelings and get back to work.”

While Wade went through some dark times after the loss to Khaybulaev, he was able to eventually put it behind him as he gets ready for 2022.

“I did, but the positives came after the holidays,” Wade admitted when asked if he took anything positive away from the loss. “The first month, month and a half was just really rough on myself. I still had the cut from the knee, and when I would look in the mirror it would be a constant reminder. It was torture kind of…I’m not just a ‘me’ person, I’m big on my family and my daughter. I wanted that title and that money for them, more than I wanted it for myself.”

Wade fell short in the PFL Playoffs twice before, losing to the eventual lightweight champion Natan Schulte in 2018 and runner-up Loik Radzhabov in 2019. After a pair of devastating losses at lightweight, he decided to make the full-time move to 145 pounds.

Wade will be one of the top contenders in the PFL featherweight division in 2022, and he’ll look to put the past behind him with an impressive performance against Palmer.

What is your prediction for Chris Wade’s 2022 PFL season?

Continue Reading Chris Wade Felt “Tortured” By 2021 PFL Title Loss Ahead Of 2022 Debut at MMA News.

Chris Wade Felt “Tortured” By 2021 PFL Title Loss Ahead Of 2022 Debut

PFL featherweight Chris Wade’s 2021 PFL Championship loss to Movlid Khaybulaev was harder for him to stomach than most realized. Wade will face former PFL champion Lance Palmer at PFL 2 on Thursday night. He’s coming off a memorable 2021 season that featured highlight wins over Bubba Jenkins and Arman Ospanov. Wade, a former UFC…

Continue Reading Chris Wade Felt “Tortured” By 2021 PFL Title Loss Ahead Of 2022 Debut at MMA News.

PFL featherweight Chris Wade’s 2021 PFL Championship loss to Movlid Khaybulaev was harder for him to stomach than most realized.

Wade will face former PFL champion Lance Palmer at PFL 2 on Thursday night. He’s coming off a memorable 2021 season that featured highlight wins over Bubba Jenkins and Arman Ospanov.

Wade, a former UFC fighter, has found a home in the PFL after an 11-year career in MMA. But the toughest loss of his career came after falling short of the 145-pound title to Khaybulaev last October.

During his PFL 2 pre-fight media day, Wade explained the aftermath of what he has described as the toughest defeat of his MMA career.

“We fell short, it was crushing,” Wade shared. “It was probably the hardest loss in MMA that I’ve ever had to deal with and to move past. There was a solid junk of time there before the holidays when I was pretty depressed. Pretty upset, going through waves of emotion. Just asking myself ‘Why?’…then if you’re a competitor and you’re a winner, and you stop feeling sorry for yourself, you squash those feelings and get back to work.”

While Wade went through some dark times after the loss to Khaybulaev, he was able to eventually put it behind him as he gets ready for 2022.

“I did, but the positives came after the holidays,” Wade admitted when asked if he took anything positive away from the loss. “The first month, month and a half was just really rough on myself. I still had the cut from the knee, and when I would look in the mirror it would be a constant reminder. It was torture kind of…I’m not just a ‘me’ person, I’m big on my family and my daughter. I wanted that title and that money for them, more than I wanted it for myself.”

Wade fell short in the PFL Playoffs twice before, losing to the eventual lightweight champion Natan Schulte in 2018 and runner-up Loik Radzhabov in 2019. After a pair of devastating losses at lightweight, he decided to make the full-time move to 145 pounds.

Wade will be one of the top contenders in the PFL featherweight division in 2022, and he’ll look to put the past behind him with an impressive performance against Palmer.

What is your prediction for Chris Wade’s 2022 PFL season?

Continue Reading Chris Wade Felt “Tortured” By 2021 PFL Title Loss Ahead Of 2022 Debut at MMA News.

Stephens Claims Pettis Isn’t Treating PFL Fairly, Open To Future Fight

PFL lightweight and former UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens is continuing his verbal barrage on former foe Anthony Pettis. Stephens competed in arguably the ‘Fight of the Year’ so far in 2022, going toe-to-toe with Clay Collard in the 2022 PFL season opener on Wednesday night. Despite a strong start, he lost the bout on the…

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PFL lightweight and former UFC fighter Jeremy Stephens is continuing his verbal barrage on former foe Anthony Pettis.

Stephens competed in arguably the ‘Fight of the Year’ so far in 2022, going toe-to-toe with Clay Collard in the 2022 PFL season opener on Wednesday night. Despite a strong start, he lost the bout on the judges’ scorecards via unanimous decision.

Stephens signed with the PFL following a long stay in the UFC. While the end of his UFC tenure was rocky with five-straight defeats, he proved in his PFL debut that he can still compete against some of the top lightweights.

In the leadup to his fight with Collard, Stephens ripped Pettis for his struggles last year. After being arguably the league’s biggest signee of 2021, Pettis failed to reach expectations with losses to Raush Manfio and Collard.

During his 2022 PFL 1 post-fight press conference, Stephens opined that Pettis owes a lot to the league after his struggles last season.

“He’s at 170. I told you guys, he looked a little big when I saw him around the UFC, then he moved up,” Stephens said of Pettis. “I feel like he’s not treating the company very fairly. They pay him a lot of money, he doesn’t show up for them, for you guys. Around here, he’s just a walking big fame. I turned him into a wrestler, too, so, we can get into it at ’55 (or) ’70. If he happens to run across, I would love to fight Anthony Pettis.”

Stephens and Pettis competed against one another once before while each man was still in the UFC, with Pettis earning a split-decision win at UFC 136. Three fights later, Pettis would earn the lightweight title over Benson Henderson via a first-round finish at UFC 164.

Pettis is set to face Myles Price in his season debut at PFL 3 on May 6. If he’s able to pull off an impressive win over Price, a rematch nearly 11 years in the making with Stephens could be in the cards.

Do you want to see a Jeremy Stephens vs. Anthony Pettis rematch in 2022?

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Stephens: Watching Chimaev/Burns Fired Me Up For Collard War At PFL 1

PFL lightweight Jeremy Stephens has named the war between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns as a motivation behind his own barnburner against Clay Collard. If fans thought the Fight of the Year conversation came to a close at UFC 273 earlier this month, they were sorely mistaken. At the opening event of this year’s Professional…

Continue Reading Stephens: Watching Chimaev/Burns Fired Me Up For Collard War At PFL 1 at MMA News.

PFL lightweight Jeremy Stephens has named the war between Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns as a motivation behind his own barnburner against Clay Collard.

If fans thought the Fight of the Year conversation came to a close at UFC 273 earlier this month, they were sorely mistaken. At the opening event of this year’s Professional Fighters League season, former UFC mainstay Stephens reminded fans why he’s been an ever-present in the cage since 2005.

In his promotional debut, “Lil Heathen” opened his 2022 campaign against 2021 semifinalist Collard. Despite falling short on the scorecards, Stephens certainly played his part in an entertaining and memorable brawl.

Following the contest, Stephens credited the work of two UFC welterweight stars for firing him up ahead of PFL 1 on Wednesday.

Stephens Credits Chimaev & Burns For ‘Pumping’ Him Up

During his post-fight interaction with the media, Stephens pointed to the April 9 welterweight clash between elite UFC contenders Khamzat Chimaev and Gilbert Burns. The pair threw down for three rounds inside the Octagon at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville.

Having seen that FOTY-worthy bout, “Lil Heathen” said he was fired up to debut in the PFL with a similarly “insane” matchup. To say he did just that would certainly be an understatement.

“He was getting tired, we were banging, who wouldn’t want to see another two rounds of that, right? … That was a sick-ass fight dude,” said Stephens. “You know, I watched that Chimaev and Burns fight, and that fight really pumped me up. I was like, ‘Dude, I wanna get into a f*ckin’ fight like that.’ And coming here tonight, you know, I’ve been watching Formula One, I was ready to die tonight.

“It’s been a long f*ckin’ layoff, so it was good to come in here and have that type of scrap, have a guy with a set of balls on him to fight me like that,” added Stephens. “I think I clipped him like seven, eight times dude. That was an insane fight.”

Taking the similarities beyond just the action, Stephens followed in the footsteps of Burns, who fell short at UFC 273, by admitting his frustration at not having another two rounds inside the cage with Collard. Like “Durinho,” Stephens is targeting a five-round rematch down the line.

The PFL environment makes that a big possibility. If both Stephens and Collard qualify for the lightweight playoffs at the end of the year, they could well get some more time to exchange leather.

What did you make of Jeremy Stephens’ PFL debut?

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