Rewatch the first edition of the PFL playoffs with full highlights and results below.
With 24 fighters spread out over six divisions, the 2021 PFL playoffs began on Friday, Aug. 13, at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. The first of three playoff events will feature the welterweights and the lightweights. Despite MMA already being unpredictable, throwing in $1 million for each championship winner will surely make things more interesting.
The main event was a welterweight semi-final between reigning champion Ray Cooper lll and UFC veteran Rory MacDonald. Cooper won both of his regular-season fights, and MacDonald should have if not for a controversial decision. The winner will end up in the finals against Magomed Magomedkerimov or Sadibou Sy. Magomedkerimov only fought once this season, but a first-round finish put him in the playoffs. On the contrary, Sy went 1-0 with one no contest and ended up in the playoffs after top seed Joao Zeferino was forced to withdraw.
In the lightweight bracket, Clay Collard was matched up against Raush Manfio in a semi-final matchup. Both fighters beat Anthony Pettis in the regular season and look to build off that momentum. Not only did they beat Pettis, but both fighters are also 2-0 going into the playoffs. The second lightweight semi-final fight was between Loik Radzhabov and Alex Martinez. These fighters actually fought earlier this year, with Radzhabov winning by split decision. With that being said, everything changes when a chance at $1 million is on the line.
Although most people tuned in for the main card playoffs, the prelims were filled with fighters looking to impress fans before the season is over. Fighters to watch in the prelims were Gleison Tibau, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Magomed Umalatov, and Elvin Espinoza. All things considered, let’s take a look at the full results and highlights for the first edition of the 2021 PFL playoffs.
Main Card (9 p.m. ET, ESPN2 / ESPN+)
Ray Cooper lll vs. Rory MacDonald
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Ray Cooper lll defeated Rory MacDonald via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) and advances to the PFL Finals
Highlights:
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Sadibou Sy
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Magomed Magomedkerimov defeated Sadibou Sy via unanimous decision (30-27 x3) and advances to the PFL Finals
Highlights:
Clay Collard vs. Raush Manfio
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Raush Manfio defeated Clay Collard via unanimous decision (29-28 X 3) and advances to the PFL Finals
MMA Twitter was livid when Raush Manfio defeated Clay Collard via controversial decision
Highlights:
Loik Radzhabov vs. Alex Martinez
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Loik Radzhabov defeated Alex Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) Loik advances to the PFL Finals in October.
Highlights:
Preliminary Card (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
Micah Terrill vs. Gleison Tibau
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Gleison Tibau def. Micah Terrill via technical submission – Round 1, 2:17
Highlights:
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Darrell Horcher
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Darrell Horcher via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-27)
Highlights:
Brett Cooper vs. Tyler Hill
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Brett Cooper def. Tyler Hill via KO – Round 1, 2:32
Highlights:
Magomed Umalatov vs. Leandro Silva
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Magomed Umalatov def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Highlights:
Kyron Bowen vs. Michael Lombardo
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Michael Lombardo def. Kyron Bowen via TKO – Round 1, 3:42
Highlights:
Hopeton Stewart vs. Elvin Espinoza
OFFICIAL RESULTS: Elvin Espinoza def. Hopeton Stewart via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:45
Highlights: