Tag: pfl

Claressa Shields Deserves More Respect: “It’s ridiculous” – Andre Berto

Claressa ShieldsAndre Berto says that Claressa Shields is not getting the credit she deserves for her highly impressive career in…

Claressa Shields

Andre Berto says that Claressa Shields is not getting the credit she deserves for her highly impressive career in boxing. “GWOAT” Claressa Shields represented the USA in the Olympics and has since collected numerous titles across multiple weight classes.

Claressa Shields

The US-born Claressa Shields earned two Olympic Gold Medals as an amateur fighter. Since turning pro, Shields has remained unbeaten in her spotless 15-0 fight career. Along the way, she has earned WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles across multiple weight classes. Additionally, she competes in MMA with the PFL. Most recently, “GWOAT” Claressa Shields captured the heavyweight title by way of knockout.

Claressa Shields vs Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse heavyweight

Former Olympian, world champion, and Hall of Fame boxer Andre Berto said that Shields is not getting the respect that she deserves. Speaking in an interview on All The Smoke, he said:

“Somebody like that has been that dominant for so long, two gold medals, multiple world titles, undefeated, just accolades after accolades. I believe that she continues to feel like she has to do more and more and more to continue to try to gain any type of real respect. If it’s boxing, if it’s MMA, if it’s doing rap videos, if it’s YouTube. But she’s trying to deliver you know, to a different type of hype because she feels like she needs to,. But she’s still not getting that type of love, notoriety, or sponsors.

“You got a woman that’s so dominant and has been collecting everything. What else does she need to do to get those real dollars? Those real fight dollars, those real endorsement dollars. Cause, like I said, I see her working overtime. Everybody’s been seeing her working overtime.”

Not only does Claressa Shields not get the respect she deserves, as someone with so many impressive accolades, but she is also actively disrespected, Berto explained. An Olympic medalist and multi-division world champion in boxing, people should be celebrating her as they are witnessing history.

Last year when I spoke to Shields, she broke down exactly where she keeps all of her impressive titles. Because it’s not easy to store so many gold belts and medals.

Berto Continued:

“I know these platforms give people a voice that otherwise wouldn’t have one. And a lot of times people say whatever they want to say, but what is all that? The hate and vitriol that’s coming at Claressa Shields. Where is this coming from? My heart for her, man, is just to rest in her greatness. Resting on what she’s accomplished and finishing her career out strong. Get as many bags as she can. Maintain her integrity in the process and, try to leave this thing undefeated.

“I’m not standing for the blatant disrespect of this young lady from these grown men. It’s ridiculous.“

PFL 8 Results and Highlights: Impa Kasanganay and Brent Primus Advance to Finals

Impa Kasanganay PFL 8PFL 8 saw four semifinal matchups go down, two in each of the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Four…

Impa Kasanganay PFL 8

PFL 8 saw four semifinal matchups go down, two in each of the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Four men entered, but only two could reach the final. Now, for light heavyweight and lightweight we have our finalists who will compete for PFL gold, and a million dollars later this year.

PFL 8 2024 Highlights

Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira

Josh Silveira was looking to avenge his prior loss to the division champion Impa Kasanganay. After a wild matchup, it was a back-and-forth affair with each man taking a round, Kasanganay raised his hand and showed why he deserved to compete for PFL gold.

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Rob Wilkinson

In the finals, Kasanganay will meet Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for one million dollars. Yagshimuradov defeated Rob Wilkinson with a series of strikes on the feet, and taking the match via unanimous decision.

Gadzi Rabadanov vs. Michael Dufort

The student of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gadzi Rabadanov continued his win streak at PFL 8 by earning a TKO victory against Canada’s Michael Dufort.

Brent Primus vs. Clay Collard

Former Bellator champion Brent Primus will meet Rabadanov in the lightweight finals as he was able to defeat the top-ranked Clay Collard by unanimous decision.

PFL 8 2024 Results

Impa Kasanganay Def. Josh Silveira Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov Def. Rob Wilkinson Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Gadzi Rabadanov Def. Michael Dufort Via TKO (Punches) — Round 2 – 1:51

Brent Primus Def. Clay Collard Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Biaggio Ali Walsh Def. Brian Stapleton Via Knockout (Punch) — Round 1 – 0:55

Danny Sabatello Vs. Lazaro Dayron Ends In Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Mads Burnell Def. Elvin Espinoza Via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Thad Jean Def. Chris Brown Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Jordan Oliver Def. Braydon Akeo Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Michelle Montague Def. Marilia Morais Via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — Round 1 – 1:44

2024 PFL 8 Playoffs: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Live Results & Highlights

The 2024 PFL Playoffs continue on Friday night with the second of three semifinal events in the postseason, and MMA News has you covered with all the action! The Professional Fighters League is back this week, with the championship finals at light heavyweight and lightweight set to be be decided inside the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, […]

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 8 Playoffs: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Live Results & Highlights at MMA News.

The 2024 PFL Playoffs continue on Friday night with the second of three semifinal events in the postseason, and MMA News has you covered with all the action!

The Professional Fighters League is back this week, with the championship finals at light heavyweight and lightweight set to be be decided inside the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

In the 205-pound main event, 2023 PFL kingpin Impa Kasanganay returns for the next step in his pursuit of back-to-back titles. And to reach a second consecutive final, “Tshilobo” must get again the better of his championship opponent from last year, Josh Silveira.

The winner of that contest will face either 2022 champ Robert Wilkinson or former Bellator fighter Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov with $1 million prize money and this year’s light heavyweight title on the line.

The lightweight bracket, meanwhile, includes Clay Collard’s attempt to make his second straight championship final and keep his hopes of a first title win alive. He’s tasked with getting past top seed Brent Primus, while Russia’s Gadzhi Rabadanov and Canada’s Michael Dufort will round out another international final four at 155 pounds.

Outside of semifinal action, notable names like Biaggio Ali Walsh and Danny Sabatello will also take to the SmartCage in “The Sunshine State.”

With tonight’s event underway, keep up with the live results below, followed by all the highlights as they come!

2024 PFL 8 Playoffs Results & Highlights

Main Card (9 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+):

  • Light Heavyweight Semifinal Main Event: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira
  • Light Heavyweight Semifinal Co-Main Event: Rob Wilkinson vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov
  • Lightweight Semifinal: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Michael Dufort
  • Lightweight Semifinal: Brent Primus vs. Clay Collard
  • Lightweight: Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Brian Stapleton

Preliminary Card:

  • Bantamweight: Danny Sabatello vs. Lazaro Dayron
  • Lightweight: Elvin Espinoza vs. Mads Burnell
  • Welterweight: Thad Jean vs. Chris Brown
  • Featherweight: Jordan Oliver def. Braydon Akeo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Women’s Featherweight: Michelle Montague def. Marilia Morais via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 1:44

Michelle Montague Def. Marilia Morais

Jordan Oliver Def. Braydon Akeo

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 8 Playoffs: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Live Results & Highlights at MMA News.

2024 PFL 8 Playoffs: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Weigh-In Results

The 2024 PFL Playoffs will resume this Friday with matchups from the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Before the bouts can be official, the fighters must weigh in today. PFL will host the continuation of the playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. The main event is a light heavyweight rematch between Impa […]

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 8 Playoffs: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

The 2024 PFL Playoffs will resume this Friday with matchups from the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Before the bouts can be official, the fighters must weigh in today.

PFL will host the continuation of the playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. The main event is a light heavyweight rematch between Impa Kasanganay and Josh Silveira.

In their first clash, Kasanganay won by unanimous decision to become the 2023 PFL light heavyweight champion. The former UFC fighter found success by outpacing Silveira for five rounds to get the judges’ approval. Kasanganay comes into the fight after amassing 11 points to qualify for the playoffs and will target a win to secure a second straight championship finale. That said, his opponent will be motivated to avenge last year’s result and keep his hopes of moving on to the championship alive.

The co-main event, meanwhile, will feature Rob Wilkinson taking on Dovlet Yagshimuradov in another light heavyweight semifinal. Both fighters are on impressive win streaks and qualified for the playoffs tied with nine points in the regular season. Currently, DraftKings has 2022 champ Wilkinson as a slight favorite to advance to the next tournament round.

The PFL 8 preliminary card is expected to kick off the event at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT on ESPN+. The main card will air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+ at 9 PM ET/ 6 PM PT. 

PFL 8: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Weigh-In Results

(Fight Card Is Subject To Change)

Main Card (ESPN & ESPN+):

  • Light Heavyweight Semifinal: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira
  • Light Heavyweight Semifinal: Rob Wilkinson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
  • Lightweight Semifinal: Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Michael Dufort
  • Lightweight Semifinal: Brent Primus vs. Clay Collard
  • Lightweight: Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Brian Stapleton

Preliminary Card (ESPN+):

  • Bantamweight: Danny Sabatello vs. Lazaro Dayron
  • Lightweight: Mads Burnell vs. Elvin Espinoza
  • Light Heavyweight: Thad Jean vs. Chris Brown
  • Featherweight: Jordan Oliver vs. Braydon Akeo
  • Women’s Featherweight: Michelle Montague vs. Marilia Morais

Continue Reading 2024 PFL 8 Playoffs: Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira Weigh-In Results at MMA News.

Report: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut

A huge lightweight matchup is reportedly being set for the debut of the PFL PPV Super Fights series, which features the MMA return of Francis Ngannou. First reported by @MagicM_MMABets on X, former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee is expected to be returning to take on one of the biggest prospects in the sport, Paul […]

Continue Reading Report: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut at MMA News.

A huge lightweight matchup is reportedly being set for the debut of the PFL PPV Super Fights series, which features the MMA return of Francis Ngannou.

First reported by @MagicM_MMABets on X, former Bellator featherweight champion AJ McKee is expected to be returning to take on one of the biggest prospects in the sport, Paul Hughes.

This was later confirmed by several other media sources, including MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck.

Hughes Set For Major Matchup In Second PFL Assignment

Ireland’s Hughes made his debut for the promotion earlier this year after signing to the PFL, stopping Bobby King in the second round at a Bellator Champions Series event following his run in Cage Warriors.

“Big News” made it clear after that fight that he had big-name opponents in mind, and that’s certainly what he’s got on his hands on October 19 should these reports come to fruition.

McKee, meanwhile, put in a standout performance at February’s PFL vs. Bellator event in Saudi Arabia when he submitted longtime PFL veteran Clay Collard in the first round.

Now he will look to welcome Hughes to the very top tier of competition in this promotion in a clash between Bellator’s biggest homegrown talent and one of the PFL’s most exciting additions.

Main-event billing for what is shaping up to be the biggest card of the year for the PFL goes to the long-awaited clash between Ngannou and Renan Ferreira, who knocked out Bellator champion Ryan Bader at the previously mentioned PFL vs. Bellator card.

In the co-main event, Cris Cyborg faces Larissa Pacheco in another highly anticipated and long-awaited meeting between the two dominant female forces on the combined PFL and Bellator rosters.

A location is yet to be confirmed for this event, though it has long been expected to be taking place in Saudi Arabia.

Continue Reading Report: AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes Targeted For Undercard Of Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou’s Touching Gesture To Coach Who ‘Doesn’t Have A Family’: ‘It Was Enough To Move This Man To Tears…’

When MMA fans first came across Francis Ngannou, many bought into him because of his destructive one punch knockout power that made him a must-watch addition to the UFC’s roster. It was then his story, and some incredible highlight reel knockouts, that really helped to turn “The Predator” into a big star in the combat […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou’s Touching Gesture To Coach Who ‘Doesn’t Have A Family’: ‘It Was Enough To Move This Man To Tears…’ at MMA News.

When MMA fans first came across Francis Ngannou, many bought into him because of his destructive one punch knockout power that made him a must-watch addition to the UFC’s roster.

It was then his story, and some incredible highlight reel knockouts, that really helped to turn “The Predator” into a big star in the combat sports world.

As a result of his incredible journey in life to achieve his dreams after coming from humble beginnings, it’s no surprise that Ngannou is a great person.

He represents combat sports so well by being a tremendous human being so it was no surprise to see the amount of support he received after what he went through earlier this year.

Eric Nicksick Shares Recent Moment From The Gym Where Francis Ngannou Shared His Appreciation For One Of The Coaches

There is sure to be many people that have crossed paths with Ngannou that would be able to talk about the character of the former UFC champion.

Not many know him better than Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick who described his fighter in an interview with MMA Fighting as a “forward thinker” who is “always trying to leave people better off than when he found them”.

When asked to give an example of the kind of person Ngannou is behind closed doors, a moment that recently took place in the gym jumped right into his mind.

Nicksick told the story of how a potentially underappreciated member of the coaching team at the gym, Nathan Pettit, was a recent recipient of Ngannou’s kindness and gratitude.

“Oh 100%. Nate Pettit is one of our coaches at the gym and Nate’s just one of the hardest workers you’re going to see in the room like the guy’s constantly holding the pads for people, constantly on the road. He’s a dog like he’s just a guy that’s like if you walk in the gym right now, Nate’s working and he doesn’t have a family, doesn’t have a life, his life is this gym. So Nate came up to me, we were putting the new cages together, Nate came up to me with like tears in his eyes, this is like two weeks ago and he’s like, ‘Dude, Francis just handed me a cheque and just said thank you for everything that you do.’

“I don’t know what the amount was, I didn’t even ask but it was enough to move this man to tears, to an emotion. I said to Francis later on, I was like hey, thanks for hooking up Nate. He’s like, ‘Of course bro, I see how hard he works and I want to pay him for all the time he’s given to others that maybe it’s not reciprocated back to him.’ So you know, just keeping it in the house, keeping it in the family the way he takes care of his coaching staff and the people around him. Nate had a huge role in helping Francis beat Stipe Miocic, Nate ran those wrestling practices along with Dennis Davis so paying it forward to Nate man, that’s just the type of person that Francis is.”

Read also: Opening Betting Odds Released For Francis Ngannou & Cris Cyborg’s PFL Debuts

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou’s Touching Gesture To Coach Who ‘Doesn’t Have A Family’: ‘It Was Enough To Move This Man To Tears…’ at MMA News.