PFL has announced the matchups for the semi-final round of their 2021 playoffs. The lineups see playoff fighters compete throughout August in an attempt at landing in the finals later this year.
The playoff events are set to happen on August 13th, 19th and 27th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA.
The location and date for PFL’s grand finals are not known at the moment. Previous seasons have seen it take place on New Year’s Eve, although it was reported by Scott Fontana of the NY Post that they plan to do otherwise this year.
Welterweights and Lightweights To Kick Off Schedule
Welterweight and lightweight fighters are set to compete in the first of three playoff events.
Former Bellator Champion and UFC fighter Rory MacDonald will get a tough test in his first-ever playoff fight, facing 2019 PFL Welterweight Champion Ray Cooper III in the main event of the card.
The other welterweight fight will see promotional vet Joao Zeferino face Magomed Magomedkerimov, who is undefeated since joining the PFL in 2016 (then known as WSOF).
After both scoring upset wins over former UFC fighter Anthony Pettis during the regular season, lightweights Clay Collard and Raush Manfio will meet in the playoffs.
Lightweight underdog Alexander Martinez will continue his rookie year with PFL when fighting Loik Radzhabov.
Heavyweights and Lightweights Set For August 19th
While heavyweight men and lightweight women were last out of the three packs of weight classes to compete during the regular season, they get to go second in the playoffs.
Undefeated fighter and 2019 PFL Lightweight Champion Kayla Harrison will kick off her playoffs with a fight against Genah Fabian.
Former UFC fighter Larissa Pacheco will look to build off an explosive regular season when facing Taylor Guardado in the opening round.
Former PFL finalist Denis Goltsov will continue his second push towards a championship when facing Ante Delija in a heavyweight bout.
Hot off his PFL debut from just last month, Jamelle Jones will fight Bruno Cappelozza in the other heavyweight tilt.
Featherweights and Light Heavyweights Finish First Round
Featherweights and light heavyweights will take the stage on August 27th as PFL wraps up its semi-finals.
After scoring a first-round finish and a decision win in the regular season, Brendan Loughnane will take on undefeated featherweight Movlid Khaybulaev in late August.
Also at 145-pounds, PFL veteran Chris Wade could get into the promotion’s finals for the first time in his career when facing former Brave CF champion Bubba Jenkins.
Up at light heavyweight, 2019 PFL Champion Emiliano Sordi will take on former UFC fighter Antonio Carlos Junior.
In a battle between a young prospect and a veteran, former UFC fighter Cezar Ferreira and 29-year-old Marthin Hamlet will compete for the other light heavyweight spot.
Updated Lineups:
PFL 7: Welterweights and Lightweights – 8/13/21
Bout 4: Rory MacDonald (22-7-1) vs. Ray Cooper III (22-7-1) (Welterweight)
Bout 3: Joao Zeferino (26-9) vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov (28-5) (Welterweight)
Bout 2: Loik Radzhabov (14-3-1) vs. Alexander Martinez (8-1) (Lightweight)
Bout 1: Clay Collard (20-8) vs. Raush Manfio (13-3) (Lightweight)
PFL 8: Heavyweights and Lightweights – 8/19/21
Bout 4: Kayla Harrison (10-0) vs. Genah Fabian (4-1) (Lightweight)
Bout 3: Larissa Pacheco (15-4) vs. Taylor Guardado (2-1) (Lightweight)
Bout 2: Bruno Cappelozza (12-5) vs. Jamelle Jones (12-6) (Heavyweight)
Bout 1: Denis Goltsov (27-6) vs. Ante Delija (18-4) (Heavyweight)
PFL 9: Featherweights and Light Heavyweights – 8/27/21
Bout 4: Brendan Loughnane (21-3) vs. Movlid Khaybulaev (17-0-1) (Featherweight)
Bout 3: Chris Wade (19-6) vs. Bubba Jenkins (16-4) (Featherweight)
Bout 2: Emiliano Sordi (23-8-1) vs. Antonio Carlos Junior (11-5) (Light Heavyweight)
Bout 1: Cezar Ferreira (14-9) vs. Marthin Hamlet (7-2) (Light Heavyweight)
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