Sports

PFL Playoffs 2: Knockouts, Submissions and Unforgettable Moments

Published

4 weeks ago

August 19, 2024

Chuck Toliver, Coach

PFL Playoffs 2 at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, brought a night packed with thrilling matchups and tactical showdowns, paving the way for the Finals and a $1 million grand prize.

August 16th, 2024

Main Card Highlights:

Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira: In a rematch of the 2023 PFL Light Heavyweight final, Kasanganay once again came out on top, defeating Silveira by unanimous decision. Silveira kept the pressure on, but Kasanganay’s precise striking and calm under fire earned him the win, advancing him to the 2024 final.

Rob Wilkinson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov: Yagshimuradov bested the 2022 PFL champion, Wilkinson, by unanimous decision. Although the fight lacked high intensity, Yagshimuradov did enough to impress the judges and secure his spot in the final.

Michael Dufort vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov: Rabadanov dominated Dufort with superior grappling and striking, delivering a knockout 1:52 into the second round. He moves on to the $1 million finals to face Brent Primus.

Clay Collard vs. Brent Primus: Primus, a former Bellator champion, used his grappling to control the fight and defeat Collard via unanimous decision. He now faces Rabadanov in the final.

Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Brian Stapleton: Biaggio Ali Walsh, Muhammad Ali’s grandson, delivered a stunning knockout just 55 seconds into the fight, earning him a standing ovation from the crowd, including Flavor Flav.

Preliminary Card Highlights:

Danny Sabatello vs. Lazaro Dayron: In one of the night’s most exciting matchups, Sabatello and Dayron fought to a draw. Dayron nearly ended it early, but Sabatello rallied in the second round with his relentless wrestling. A fence grab cost Dayron a point, leading to the final draw in a thrilling contest.

Mads Burnell vs. Elvin Espinoza: Burnell narrowly defeated Espinoza by unanimous decision (29-28), securing a close but clear victory.

Chris Brown vs. Thad Jean: Local favorite Thad Jean displayed his talent, outlanding Brown in a striking war to win by unanimous decision and improve his record to 8-0.

Braydon Akeo vs. Jordan Oliver: Oliver, a former D1 National Wrestling Champion, used his striking to outpoint Akeo, winning by judges’ decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-30).

Michelle Montague vs. Marilia Morais: Montague remained undefeated with a quick submission victory, forcing Morais to tap out in the first round via rear-naked choke.

The event was packed with action as fighters fought for a chance to compete for the million-dollar prize in the finals.

Ali Walsh vs Stapleton during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Kasanganay vs Silveira during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Kasanganay vs Silveira during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Kasanganay vs Silveira during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Wilkinson vs Yagshimuradov during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Wilkinson vs Yagshimuradov during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Wilkinson vs Yagshimuradov during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rabadanov vs Dufort during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rabadanov vs Dufort during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Rabadanov vs Dufort during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Primus vs Collard during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Montague vs Morais during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Ali Walsh vs Stapleton during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Sabatello vs Dayron during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Sabatello vs Dayron during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Espinoza vs Burnell during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Espinoza vs Burnell during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Jean vs Brown during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Jean vs Brown during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Jean vs Brown during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Oliver vs Akeo during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Oliver vs Akeo during 2024 PFL 8: Hollywood Playoffs at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)