Dates Set in August for PFL Playoffs
As things stand in the middle of July, 2024 PFL playoffs have been set with only one change to the semifinal matchups determined by the regular season. The three events are set to take place Aug. 9 in Nashville, Tenn.; Aug. 16 in Hollywood, Fla. and Aug. 23 in Washington, D.C. While a lot can change between now and early August, there has only been one known dropout so far.
Valentin Moldavsky, who was seeded No. 3 in the heavyweight division, had to pull out due to an injury. Moldavsky will be replaced by Linton Vassell. Vassell won a controversial split decision over Moldavsky during the second week of the regular season. There will be several new championships crowned this season, according to MMAfighting latest news.
With a $1 million prize on the line, there will be plenty at stake for fighters looking to improve their financial futures. The playoff fights won’t be the only ones on the card, as there will likely be some preliminary fights that will feature some future stars of the promotion.
Here’s a look at some of the best pairings for all three nights ahead.
Santos, Carmouche Eager to Prove Their Worth
Dakota Ditcheva was the star of the women’s flyweight regular season. Ditcheva picked up two first-round knockouts to earn the top seed for the playoffs. The former PFL European champion overwhelmed both of her opponents with her aggressive striking.
However, Ditcheva is still an up-and-coming fighter with a lot to prove. There was also some criticism aimed at the PFL for giving Ditcheva easier fights and holding her back from fighting the women who had background with the UFC and Bellator. The veterans will have their say in how good Ditcheva is soon enough.
On the other side of the bracket from Aug. 9 in Nashville will be a battle between Liz Carmouche and Talia Santos. Carmouche, 40, has had the best run of her career since she left the UFC for Bellator in 2020. Carmouche has won seven straight fights and picked up the Bellator flyweight title along the way.
Carmouche defended the championship twice in Bellator and has now won her two PFL fights. During the second round of the playoffs, Carmouche secured a submission with eight seconds left in the fight against Kana Watanabe. Santos had a hard time getting past Jenna Bishop, who will fight Ditcheva, during their last bout.
Santos, a former UFC title challenger like Carmouche, will have to bring her best effort to win this fight. This division will produce fireworks, as the veteran fighters will want to get an opportunity to fight Ditcheva and slow her strong momentum to the top of the rankings.
The two heavyweight fights in Nashville will be Denis Goltsov vs. Tim Johnson and Oleg Popov vs. Vassell.
Is Clay Collard Title Worthy?
Over the past few seasons, Clay Collard has been a staple of the lightweight division. Collard overwhelms all of his opponents with his furious level of output. However, if Collard can’t force his technically superior opponents to tire, things could get ugly.
Former Bellator champion Brent Primus looked like he may be missing out on the playoffs when he battled Solomon Renfro during PFL 5. Primus had a hard time matching Renfro on his feet. At several points, Renfro looked like he may be capable of ruining Primus’ night.
However, in the third round Primus was able to do what he does best. Primus got Renfro down on the ground and was able to wrap up a third-round, rear-naked choke. Primus, 39, is making the PFL playoffs for the first time and won’t want to miss out on making $1 million.
Collard has lost three of his previous four fights. He reached the lightweight championship fight last year but lost a decision to Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Collard then stepped in to fight A.J. McKee at the PFL vs. Bellator super card in February. Collard getting submitted in the first round was a big step back.
Collard also made the playoffs in 2021 but lost in the semifinals to Rausch Manfio. This fight, set to take place in Hollywood, Florida, will be part of a fun night.
Michael Dufort will also fight Gadzhi Rabadanov at lightweight. For the light heavyweight bracket, defending champion Impa Kasanganay will fight Josh Silveira, while Rob Wilkinson will take on Dovletdzhan Yagshirmuradov.
Rematch in First Round at Welterweight is a Travesty
The PFL’s format of sending fighters to the playoffs is just based on math and numbers. But it would be nice if the human element was also involved when choosing the matchups for the welterweight division set to take place Aug. 23 in Washington, D.C.
Unbeaten fighter Shamil Musaev took the undefeated record of Magomed Ramazanov during his last fight with a second-round knockout. Musaev earned the second seed in the playoffs but will have to turn around and fight Ramazanov again.
The other semifinal matchup in this weight class will be a battle between Don Madge and Magomed Umalatov. Madge was disappointed by losing his fight during the second week of the regular season. Musaev, Umalatov and Ramazanov have all developed into exciting Russian prospects.
All three men have done a good job collecting finishes during their careers. While the incentive to finish opponents like in the regular season is gone, all three men will want to put their best foot forward.
Brendan Loughnane will headline the card in the featherweight division. Looking at MMA latest updates will show that Loughane won his last fight by landing a vicious knee that opened a large gash on his opponent’s forehead. Loughnane won the PFL title in 2021 but didn’t return to the playoffs in 2022 after being upset by Jesus Pinedo.
Gabriel Braga will fight Timur Khrizriev in the other featherweight playoff matchup.
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By Dean McHugh.