Due to Covid-19, it’s been more than a year since the PFL had its championship finals. And due to a High School Football game, the final playoff card felt like more than a year by itself. That game was played between Milton and North Cobb. However, it’s now official that the PFL Title Fights are set.
In a move that is down the lines of the “Heidi Bowl” light, ESPN had a decision to make. And they chose youngsters on the gridiron, over MMA fans. A move, by the way, they’d NEVER pull with the UFC. The choice to keep the main card fighters waiting for more than an hour had its repercussions. The card wound up ending at 1:15 am on the East Coast. That translates to much much later around the world, where those fighters had friends and family holding watch parties. State-side it angered MMA fans as they went after the organization on social media, and had the PFL social media team on its heels.
Sorry Guys. Plz dont take it out on the social team
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 28, 2021
Fighters are in Prep Point now to make the walk#PFLPlayoffs
PFL Title Fights Set With Two Dominant Finishes
The featherweight final is between former UFC lightweight fighter Chris Wade, and Khabib Nurmagomedov pupil, Movlid Khaybulaev. Wade used his wrestling and searched for submissions relentlessly over Bubba Jenkins. And the same could be said for the undefeated 30-year old Dagestani over Brendan Loughnane.
Khaybulaev was so python like the final numbers for total strikes were 102/147 for “Killer” and 65/93 for Loughnane, who came in as the number one seed. Khaybulaev, who was suffocating with his attack, and solid with his striking only took two of the scorecards; 30-27 and 29-28. The other went to Loughnane who’s been away from home for more than a year training for the season, 29-28. Basically for one strike. A right uppercut that had Khaybulaev wobbled in the third round.
The Rest of the Finals:
Normally the finals would be held on New Year’s Eve Day. But this year due to when the season started, they go down on October 27th. And they’ll be at the organization’s bubble in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Marthin Hamlet and Antonio Carlos Junior fight for the light heavyweight belt. Kayla Harrison, in possibly her last fight for the company takes on Taylor Guardado for the women’s lightweight strap. Magomed Magomedkerimov and Ray Cooper III rematch for the welterweight title. Ante Delija and Bruno Cappelozza will slug it out for the Heavyweight belt. And Raush Manfio and Loik Radzhabov scratch it out for the lightweight strap. With all winners not only taking the title, but a One-Million Dollar check each.
