PFL’s European spin-off brand has found its 2024 champs.
The second-ever PFL Europe Championships took place on Saturday night from the LDLC Arena in Lyon, France, providing talents at welterweight, lightweight, bantamweight and flyweight a chance at earning notable regional gold after getting through earlier rounds of an eight-person bracket. Here’s how the action-packed card went down:
McGrillen Earns Impressive Knockout In Bantamweight Final
Lewis McGrillen closed out an eventful 2024 with another highlight-reel win, knocking out Alexander Luster in the second round to win the bantamweight bracket.
A clean overhand left from McGrillen floored Luster late in the second round of their championship clash, forcing a ground and pound stoppage just moments later. The punch ended an action-packed fight which saw McGrillen knock the tough Luster down in the opening frame as well.
24-year-old McGrillen previously got past Matiss Zaharovs and Dean Garnett to earn a grand final spot this weekend. His semi-final win against Garnett was most notable, as he only earned a third-round finish in the bout following a back-and-forth “Fight of the Year” contender clash.
Luster, a German talent, made it to the finals without much damage from past fights. He had a quick path to Saturday’s card, winning earlier tournament bouts via rear naked choke submission in less than two minutes.
Kaszuba Gains Title For Second Time
Jakub Kaszuba became the first and only back-to-back PFL Europe Champion this weekend, protecting his undefeated 14-fight record and once again earning a lightweight belt in his fourth-round finish of Connor Hughes.
An onslaught of ground and pound elbows from Kaszuba forced a finish in the championship rounds of the fight, closing out what was previously a close battle.
Poland’s Kaszuba has now put together six wins in the PFL Europe brand over two years, including victories earlier this year against ex-Bellator talents Daniele Scatizzi and Kane Mousah.
27-year-old Hughes took his first-ever stoppage loss in the fight, ending a three-bout run of wins he had previously attained.
Zendeli Submits Miceli Early To Become First PFL Europe Welterweight Champ
Albania’s Florim Zendeli captured the inaugural PFL Europe Welterweight Championship earlier in the evening, adding yet another stoppage win to his record in a fight against Daniele Miceli.
Zendeli once again showcased his slick finishing skills as a grappler, slipping in a rear naked choke which forced a tap from Miceli in the closing moments of the opening round.
The win, Zendeli’s seventh via first-round finish, made him the first-ever 170-pound champ to come from PFL’s Europe brand. He previously also submitted Tomasz Langowski in his quarter-final fight and beat regional vet Jack Grant via split decision in the semis.
Former Bellator talent Miceli had quick showings in his two prior tournament fights, beating Yassin Najid and Ibrahima Mane in less than two minutes combined.
Wisniewska Wins In Just 20 Seconds
Paulina Wisniewska captured gold in just her fifth pro fight on Saturday, stopping short-notice opponent Valentina Scatizzi in a lightning-quick 20 seconds to become PFL Europe’s newest flyweight champ.
A flashy switch-knee to the head of Scatizzi from a clinch position put Wisniewska in control of the fight in less than 10 seconds. The Polish talent was quick to follow up on her visibly damaging knee strike, connecting with numerous punches to the head of Scatizzi from the back position until the referee put an end to the fight.
Wisniewska, who debuted in MMA just over a year ago, has an undefeated record of five wins and a title which could elevate her to PFL’s main brand.
The 27-year-old was originally expected to receive a bigger fight this weekend, going up against undefeated English talent Shanelle Dyer in a classic “Two O’s, one’s got to go” scenario. However, after Dyer withdrew from the fight in recent weeks, 2023 finalist Scatizzi was brought in and given another chance to claim a PFL title.
A total of 12 fights took place on PFL’s final event of the year. In the main event, former Ares FC champ Abdoul Abdouraguimov got past former UFC fighter Laureano Staropoli via unanimous decision.
Here are the quick results:
Main Card (11:00AM EST / 5:00PM CET)
Bout 12: Abdoul Abdouraguimov def. Laureno Staropoli via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 11: Patrick Habirora def. Catalin Safta via TKO, Strikes (RD 3, 2:16)
Bout 10: Mickael Groguhe def. Lamine Sene via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 9: Lewis McGrillen-Evans def. Alexander Luster via TKO, Strikes (RD 2, 3:52) (PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship)
Bout 8: Jakub Kaszuba def. Connor Hughes via TKO, Strikes (RD 4, 4:07) (PFL Europe Lightweight Championship)
Bout 7: Mathys Duragrin def. Yassin Chtatou via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 6: Mahio Campanella def. Ezzoubair Bouarsa via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke (RD 1, 4:45)
Bout 5: Salvo Giudice def. Atilla Kobas via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 4: Florim Zendeli def. Daniele Miceli via Submission, Rear Naked Choke (RD 1, 4:24) (PFL Europe Welterweight Championship)
Bout 3: Paulina Wisniewska def. Valentina Scatizzi via TKO, Strikes (RD 1, 0:20) (PFL Europe Flyweight Championship)
Bout 2: Eoin Sheridan def. Brice Belghazi via Decision, Unaimous
Bout 1: Claudio Pacella def. Oscar Ownsworth via Decision, Unanimous
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