Jarrah Al-Silawi earned a PFL contract on the second episode of the promotion’s “Challenger Series,” securing a spot in the welterweight division for the promotion’s upcoming regulars season.
Al-Silawi was selected as a finalist in Friday’s episode of the “Challenger Series” along with Chris Mixan. While Mixan did not win the regular season contract, he was offered a “developmental” deal at the end of the episode.
Al-Silawi Stops Lilly Early With Knee
Jarrah Al-Silawi had an explosive win in the main event, flooring Michael Lilly in the first round of their fight with a knee to the head.
Al-Silawi’s knee strike to the head of Lilly was perfectly timed, landing as a counter to a takedown attempt that Lilly was shooting in for.
Al-Silawi had hurt Lilly earlier in the round as well, stunning him moments before the finish with a two-punch combination.
Al-Silawi, a two-time Brave CF Super Welterweight Champion, entered Friday on a three-fight winning streak.
Lilly took a loss in his previous fight, losing to Dilano Taylor in September 2020.
Scary Injury Forces Martin Out of Battle Against Taylor
A brutal eye injury to Mark Martin forced him out of a fight after the first round, giving opponent Dilano Taylor a doctor stoppage victory in the co-main event.
Martin’s left eye was significantly swollen after the first round. This caused a doctor to step in and look at him, resulting in the fight to subsequently get called off.
The stoppage outcome came after a round of both fighters landing shots on the feet.
Taylor, the Titan FC Welterweight Champion, has now won seven consecutive fights.
Martin also entered the weekend on an extensive winning streak, having emerged victorious in his previous six fights.
Leal Earns Victory Within A Minute
Carlos Leal needed less than a full minute to win his fight on Friday night, using his explosive striking skills to stop Korey Kuppe.
Leal dropped Kuppe only moments into the fight with a left hook to the head. This allowed Leal to unleash ground and pound that eventually made Kuppe shell up, ending the bout.
Leal now has a strong nine-fight winning streak as a pro. His previous appearance was part of a one-night tournament held by LFA last year, where he won two fights and became their welterweight champion.
Kuppe, a 2020 contestant on the UFC TV show “Dana White’s Contender Series,” was coming off a win he scored against Erick Lozano last year.
Mixan Showcases Striking In Performance Against Pierce
Chris Mixan opened the card with a finish, using a variety of strikes to stop Nathan Pierce in the second round of action.
Mixan overwhelmed Pierce with his striking throughout their fight. Early on his boxing was where most of his success came, bloodying Pierce with jabs to the head.
The fight came to a close in the second round due to the constant striking from Mixan being too much for Pierce to handle. A long combination of shots to the head of Pierce visibly hurt him, then dropped him and caused the fight to end.
Mixan now has a pro record of three wins and no losses. He made his pro debut in October 2020 and has yet to go the distance as a pro.
Mixan, who represents Ukraine, mentioned that recent attacks on the country by Russia this week have caused him stress.
“I didn’t sleep these past two nights,” said Mixan in his post-fight interview.
Pierce entered Friday after a busy 2021, earning two wins and one loss in the year.
Quick Result
Main Card (9:00PM EST) (FuboTV)
Bout 4: Jarrah Al-Silawi def. Michael Lilly via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 2:54)
Bout 3: Dilano Taylor def. Mark Martin via TKO, Doctor Stoppage (RD 1, 5:00)
Bout 2: Carlos Leal def. Korey Kuppe via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 0:56)
Bout 1: Chris Mixan def. Nathan Pierce via TKO, Strikes (RD 2, 1:29)
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