“Silent Assassin” Shamil Musaev Makes Loudest Noise at PFL 3

Shamil Musaev’s debut in a major North American MMA promotion didn’t come against another up-and-comer. When Musaev appeared at PFL 3 in Chicago Friday night, he was thrown into the octagon against former Bellator interim welterweight champion Logan Storley. Despite many people believing Storley could dominate this fight on the ground, Musaev put that notion to rest quickly.

When the four-time NCAA All-American shot for a takedown early in the fight, Musaev defended well and didn’t let Storley take him to the mat. But the fight turned when Musaev took a big risk. MMAfighting latest news shows that Musaev surprised Storley with a stiff spinning kick to the body.

Musaev then unleashed a heavy barrage of punches at the end of the first round. Storley was on wobbly legs when the bell rang at the end of the first round. When the second round opened, Musaev didn’t wait long to continue the assault.

Musaev would knock Storley down again. When Storley attempted to build back up to his feet, Musaev hit him with several short and fast strikes to put him out cold. On an exciting night of fights in the welterweight and featherweight divisions, Musaev’s finish vaulted him to the No. 1 slot and improved his record to 17-0-1.

Don Madge Impresses In Opening Fight

Things have been difficult for Don Madge over the past five years. The best MMA news sites show that Madge won both of his fights in the UFC before he ran into visa issues. The South African fighter took nearly two years to resolve those problems.

When Madge finally resurfaced in 2021, things didn’t move as quickly as he would have liked. A knockout loss to Raush Manfio at PFL 1 in 2022 set him back even further. When Madge was paired with a kill-or-be-killed type of fighter in former Bellator middleweight title challenger Brennan Ward, it turned out to be a perfect matchup.

Madge took advantage of Ward’s aggressive nature. He would end up capitalizing when Ward tried to throw him. Madge got on Ward’s back and locked up a standing submission to stop the fight just 1 minute and 2 seconds after it started.

Staropoli Misses Weight, Gets Taken Out Quickly

Laureano Staropoli had to push to make something happen against Murad Ramazanov. Because Staropoli missed weight, he was deducted a point in the standings for the playoffs. Carrying the extra weight didn’t seem to help Staropoli at all against Ramazanov.

Ramazanov was able to mix his grappling and striking well. When Ramazanov got Staropoli to the mat, he quickly got on Staropoli’s back and locked up a rear-naked choke. Ramazanov’s first-round win has him in a solid position to make the playoffs.

Loughnane’s Return Spoiled by Controversy

Brendan Loughnane missing out on the 2023 featherweight playoffs and not being able to defend his championship was one of last season’s biggest shockers. When Loughnane returned at PFL 3 to fight Bellator veteran Pedro Carvalho, he expected to put the division on notice. While Loughnane scored a first-round knockout, those in attendance loudly booed how the fight ended.

Loughnane dropped Carvalho with several stiff punches. Carvalho was on his knees, bobbing and weaving to avoid Loughnane’s shots. MMA news sites show that Carvalho did absorb several strikes from that position before lunging at Loughnane’s ankles.

The referee quickly stepped in and waived off the fight. Carvalho immediately protested the stoppage. It seemed to be premature after watching the replays, but Loughnane moved into first place with the quick victory.

Braga Honors His Dad the Right Way

Gabriel Braga dealt with an unspeakable tragedy in the offseason. Braga was hit with the devastating news that his father and coach had been murdered. Gabriel’s dad, Diego, was shot and killed while attempting to retrieve his stolen motorcycle.

For Gabriel Braga, it made training difficult. After years of having his dad in his corner, Braga had to figure out how to move forward. He chose not to participate in the PFL vs Bellator card in January. 

Braga made an exciting return to PFL 3. He caught Justin Gonzalez with a thunderous hook late in the first round. The punch folded Gonzalez and forced the referee to stop the fight with 1 second left in the first round.

PFL Veteran Takes Tough Loss

When the PFL and Bellator merged earlier this year, it was a good deal for both organizations. The rosters got deeper, and it opened the possibilities for a lot of new matchups that wouldn’t have been staged in the past. Bubba Jenkins is one pillar of the PFL who may wish things were still how they used to be.

Jenkins reached the PFL semifinals last season, and two years ago, he lost to Loughnane in the championship match. Jenkins is a former NCAA wrestling champion who has successfully utilized his well-rounded game.

Fighting Bellator and UFC veteran Kai Kamaka III proved to be a difficult matchup with Jenkins. Jenkins couldn’t hold Kamaka down on any of the four takedowns he secured for long. Kamaka would end up outstriking Jenkins to pick up a unanimous decision win.

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By Dean McHugh.