Collard Defeats Burgos In Epic Battle To Advance To 2023 PFL World Championship
(Press Release)
- Lightweights Clay Collard and Olivier Aubin-Mercier to square off for $1 Million at 2023 PFL World Championship
- Welterweights Magomed Magomedkerimov and Sadibou Sy to square off for $1 Million at 2023 PFL World Championship
- 2023 PFL World Championship Brackets set with six world titles and $6 million on the line live from The Anthem in Washington D.C. on November 24
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – The Professional Fighters League (PFL), resumed its 2023 PFL Playoffs with action in the Welterweight and Lightweight divisions live from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The main event saw two of the best strikers in the world turn in a classic. Lightweights Clay Collard and Shane Burgos let their hands go over three rounds with Collard winning via unanimous decision. The hard fought victory earned Collard his first trip to the PFL World Championship where he will meet Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
In the evening’s co-main event, 2022 PFL Lightweight Champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier punched his way back to the PFL World Championship with a second-round TKO over Bruno Miranda. Aubin-Mercier remains unbeaten in the PFL.
2022 PFL Welterweight Champion Sadibou Sy secured a return trip to the PFL World Championship with a split decision victory over Carlos Leal. Sy and Magomed Magomedkerimov will square off in the Welterweight final.
Welterweight Playoff action kicked off with 2018 PFL Welterweight Champion Magomed Magomedkerimov defeating Solomon Renfro by unanimous decision. The dominant victory puts Magomedkerimov back in the PFL World Championship where he seeks his second $1 million championship.
Beginning the main card action on ESPN, Biaggio Ali Walsh, grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, scored his fifth-straight win by stoppage, defeating Ed Davis by second round TKO in an amateur Lightweight Showcase bout.
“The 2023 PFL Playoffs featured can’t miss action from San Antonio and New York City, and the stage is set for the Richest Night in MMA, The PFL World Championship,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “On November 24, live from our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., MMA fans will see 12 fighters across six weight divisions compete to become PFL World Champions and the $1 million prize which comes with it.”
“Tonight’s event brought the 2023 PFL Playoffs to a fitting close with four fighters showcasing grit and determination to move on to the biggest night in MMA, The PFL World Championship,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo. “Congratulations to all the fighters who advanced to the 2023 PFL World Championship and we look forward to a fantastic season finale this November.”
Alexei Pergande, a 2022 PFL Challenger Series contract winner, improved to 4-0 with a dominant unanimous decision win over Shawn Stefanelli.
Mostafa Rashed Nada made his PFL debut defeating Korey Kuppe by TKO in the opening round of their Middleweight Showcase bout. Nada is now 8-3 in his MMA career.
Michelle Montague showcased her grappling skills defeating Abigail Montes via second round rear naked choke submission. Montague remains undefeated in her career.
In a Featherweight Showcase bout, Abdullah Al-Qahtani continued his success in the PFL SmartCage defeating David Zelner by unanimous decision. The decision is Al-Qahtani’s seventh career win.
Kicking off the card on ESPN+, John Caldone scored a first round TKO over Nathaniel Grimard to improve to 5-1 in his career.
The stage is set for the biggest night in MMA, the 2023 PFL World Championship on Friday, November 24 at The Anthem in Washington D.C., where $6 million in prize money awaits six PFL World Champions.
All 2023 PFL Season events are live on ESPN, ESPN2/ESPN+ and ESPN3 (Spanish), as well as on premier global distribution partner platforms reaching 160 countries around the world.
COMPLETE RESULTS
ESPN Card
#1 Clay Collard defeats #4 Shane Burgos by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#2 Olivier Aubin-Mercier defeats #3 Bruno Miranda by 2nd Round TKO (punches, 4:41)
#3 Sadibou Sy defeats #2 Carlos Leal by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
#1 Magomed Magomedkerimov defeats #5 Solomon Renfro by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Biaggio Ali Walsh defeats Ed Davis by 2nd Round TKO (punches, 2:23)
ESPN+ Card
Alexei Pergande defeats Shawn Stefanelli by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mostafa Rashed Nada defeats Korey Kuppe by 1st Round TKO (strikes, 1:55)
Michelle Montague defeats Abigail Montes by 2nd Round Submission (rear naked choke, 3:38)
Abdullah Al-Qahtani defeats David Zelner by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
John Caldone defeats Nathaniel Grimard by 1st Round TKO (strikes, 2:32)
About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the fastest growing and most innovative sports league. PFL is the #2 MMA company worldwide on all key metrics and the only with the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. The Company has four global live fight franchises: PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV Super Fights, and PFL Europe.
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