Professional Fighters League ‘PFL vs. Bellator Champs’ Play-by-Play

Malik Basahel (124.9) vs. Vinicius Pereira (129.2)

Round 1

This is an amateur bout with three three-minute rounds. Basahel shoots for a takedown and secures it. Pereira is able to pop back up. Basahel gets a double-leg takedown and secures half guard. Not much action on the floor, as Pereira is defending well. Pereira regains full guard. The round ends shortly after Basahel gets back to half guard. 10-9 Basahel.

Round 2

Pereira lands two nice leg kicks to start the fight. Basahel answers with a head kick and then goes for a takedown. Pereira uses a sweep to get back to his feet. The two scramble and Pereira gets the better of it as Basahel gives up his back. Pereira is looking for a rear-naked choke and has a body triangle. Basahel tries to turn but can't get the reversal. Basahel finally reverses with 10 seconds left and unloads a flurry of punches, although most hit off the gloves. 10-9 Pereira.

Round 3

Basahel looks to be fresher to start the final round. Basahel lands a left hook and then gets a takedown. Pereira is holding the left arm of Basahel. Pereira looks for a leg lock, but Basahel gets out. Nice right hand by Basahel after Pereira gets up. Another takedown scores for Basahel. Basahel stands up and then gets another takedown. No damage is being done by Basahel on the ground. Basahel stands up again and eats a knee while clinched. The two trade punches, and Basahel gets another takedown as the fight ends. 10-9 Basahel (29-28 Basahel).

The Official Result

Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27); R3, 3:00.

Abdullah Al-Qahtani (146) vs. Edukondal Rao (145.7)

Round 1

Bryan Miner is the referee. Rao lands a leg kick. Al-Qahtani unloads a flurry and then goes for a takedown. Rao stays upright initially, but Al-Qahtani eventually gets his foe to the ground. Al-Qahtani lands a few solid punches, but Rao gets back to his feet. They separate. Rao is throwing some wild kicks. A big left hand floors Al-Qahtani, who then secures a takedown while rocked. Al-Qahtani eating small punches despite being on top. Al-Qahtani stands up and immediately eats a hard left hand by Rao. Al-Qahtani gets a bit suplex with 40 seconds left. The round ends with Al-Qahtani in control on the feet. 10-9 Rao, although Al-Qahtani looks to be the fresher fighter going into the second round.

Round 2

Rao opens the round with kicks and begins getting tagged by Al-Qahtani's punches. Al-Qahtani uses a muay thai clinch and lands several knees. Rao is hurt and is thrown to the floor. Al-Qahtani is in side control and landing heavy punches. Rao gains full guard. Al-Qahtani passes back to side control. Al-Qahtani is dishing out a ton of damage. Heavy punches from Al-Qahtani land, and then he stands up. Rao misses a spinning kick and is then taken down again. Al-Qahtani is in full guard and landing solid punches. They get back to their feet. Al-Qahtani lands an overhand left and clinches. 30 seconds left. A big right elbow lands for Al-Qahtani. A totally one-sided round. 10-8 Al-Qahtani.

Round 3

Al-Qahtani sends the head of Rao flying back after a big right hand. Al-Qahtani stays aggressive and lands a stinging uppercut that rocks Rao. Al-Qahtani lands a beautiful head kick, and the fight is waved off.

The Official Result

Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Edukondal Rao via TKO (Punches and Head Kick); R3, 0:23.

Claressa Shields (164.4) vs. Kelsey De Santis (164.6)

Round 1

Kerry Hatley is overseeing our only female fight. Shields comes out looking to work the jab and throwing kicks. A huge overhand right rocks De Santis. Another right hand lands for Shields. De Santis clinches but can't get the takedown. A big left hand lands for Shields as De Santis is still hurt. De Santis gets a trip and puts Shields on her back. Shields has half guard. De Santis gets to mount and starts throwing some punches before going for an armbar. Shields is showing her toughness and not tapping. The round ends with Shields illegally kicking the face to defend, but no point is taken. 10-9 De Santis.

Round 2

Shields comes out throwing. Multiple right hands land. De Santis goes for a takedown, but Shields sprawls well. Shields lands a nice left hook to the body. Shields is throwing heavily but isn't finding her mark with some of the more winging blows. An overhand right lands for Shields. De Santis walks into a right hand and Shields then unloads a flurry of four punches. Nice combination punching by Shields. De Santis takes the back but can't keep Shields down. Shields escapes the clinch and lands a nice uppercut. Some solid dirty boxing from Shields as they clinch. The round ends with Shields landing hard punches to the body and then swinging wildly. 10-9 Shields.

Round 3

A nice right hand lands for Shields early. De Santis is much more tired. Shields is fighting smart, being patient with bursts of aggression. Two heavy right hands land for Shields. De Santis has quite the chin. A series of punches rock De Santis, who then eats a flurry. De Santis stumbles and then composes herself. This is just a beatdown now. Shields has broken down De Santis. A desperate takedown from De Santis is stuffed by Shields. De Santis gets a takedown, but Shields grabs the cage to get back to her feet. De Santis keeps on the pressure and takes down Shields, winding up in mount. De Santis is content to just sit in mount rather than doing damage. She seems to be looking for an armbar now. 90 seconds left. De Santis landing a few hard punches, but it is likely too little, too late. De Santis is going to regret not being more aggressive with full mount. 10-9 Shields (29-28 Shields).

The Official Result

Claressa Shields def. Kelsey De Santis via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28); R3, 5:00.

Biaggio Ali Walsh (155.4) vs. Emmanuel Palacio (152.6)

Round 1

Walsh gets a takedown immediately in his pro debut. Palacio gets up, and they're clinched against the cage. Some nice potshots by Walsh. A body lock for Walsh leads to an easy takedown. Walsh isn't able to do much on the ground, mostly sitting in the guard of Palacio. Walsh is able to get into side control. Palacio recovers guard. They stand up with 15 seconds left. A flying knee is thrown by Walsh, who then eats some punches. A very late punch for Palacio lands, who then apologizes. 10-9 Walsh.

Round 2

Walsh is happy to fight on the feet in the second round. Nice hook for Walsh. Palacio lands a night straight right. A quick 1-2 combo from Walsh tags Palacio. Nice leg kick from Walsh. Both men are trading, and Palacio starts getting the better of the exchange. Walsh responds by getting a takedown. Palacio has full guard. The referee calls for action. Walsh is stood up for inactivity. A nice uppercut for Palacio. Walsh goes for another flying knee, which is followed up by a takedown. Palacio looks for a guillotine choke but abandons it. The round ends with Walsh on top. 10-9 Walsh.

Round 3

Walsh is able to change levels and gets a takedown early in Round 3. Walsh is in side control. Walsh is a bit busier on the ground. Palacio recovers guard. Walsh is in full control but isn't coming close to finishing or doing substantial damage. 30 seconds left. Palacio has accepted his fate and isn't trying to get up. Easy win for Walsh. 10-9 Walsh (30-27 Walsh).

The Official Result

Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Emmanuel Palacio via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27); R3, 5:00.

Henry Corrales (155.7) vs. Aaron Pico (155.7)

Round 1

Pico comes out aggressive. Nice leg kicks by Pico, who then goes for a takedown. Corrales gets back to his feet but is tripped. Nice head kick by Pico as Corrales gets up. Pico finally gets Corrales to the ground. Pico is looking to take the back, but Corrales gets up to his feet. Nice elbows and punches to the body by Pico. Nice body kicks by Pico, who looks great so far. A couple of sharp elbows while standing by Pico. Corrales is taken down again and gives up side control. Corrales gives up his back, and Pico starts landing heavy punches. Corrales is covering up against the cage and a flurry of punches leads to the fight being stopped.

The Official Result

Aaron Pico def. Henry Corrales via TKO (Punches); R1, 4:53.

Clay Collard (155.5) vs. A.J. McKee (154.8)

Round 1

Reffing the pay-per-view card opening bout is Bryan Miner. They touch gloves. Collard opens with a leg kick. McKee lands several solid shots on the feet and then changes levels for a takedown. McKee goes deep for a guillotine choke and is squeezing heavily. Collard escapes, and McKee switches to a triangle choke. Collard's arm gets extended and he taps to the triangle armbar! Impressive showing by McKee.

The Official Result

A.J. McKee def. Clay Collard via Submission (Triangle Armbar); R1, 1:10.

Thiago Santos (205.2) vs. Yoel Romero (205)

Round 1

Not a strike landed through 40 seconds as both men bounce several feet away from each other. Santos throws a rear-leg kick. Neither man engaging. Left leg kick from Romero. Romero throws a head kick, but it misses. Stomping kick from Romero. Three minutes left. Another kick from Romero, who is the more active fighter. Nice leg kick from Santos. They're showing a mildly interested Jon Jones, who is watching in the crowd, on screen for several minutes. Romero throws a big right hand, misses, and then tumbles, which causes Santos to throw a big right hand of his own and miss. Romero lands a few punches to the body and eats a punch from Santos in return. 10-9 Romero.

Round 2

A more active second round as Romero lands a body kick 15 seconds in. Santos tries an axe kick but doesn't complete it. Nice leg kick from Santos. Front kick for Romero. Santos misses a combination. Nice body kick for Santos. Closer round with Santos being more active. Two leg kicks score for Romero. Santos eats another kick as he walks forward. Romero is doing a good job of staying away from danger but isn't scoring anything other than leg kicks. More kicks for Romero, who goes high afterward. Another good leg kick for Romero, who then misses a high kick. Santos gets aggressive after eating a leg kick and then comes forward with a flurry of punches, but they all miss. 10-9 Romero.

Round 3

Romero throws a big overhand left to start Round 3, but it misses. Uppercut for Santos comes up short. Overhand left from Santos misses. Romero lands a solid leg kick. Romero lands a jumping knee to the body. Romero clinches and tries to get a takedown, but Santos stays upright. Half a round remains. Romero scores with another calf kick. Both men swing punches but fail to connect. Romero does a lot of kung fu hand movement and then connects with a leg kick. Santos misses a punch, and his leg gives out. Romero lands a big left hand with seconds left. 10-9 Romero (30-27 Romero).

The Official Result

Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28); R3, 5:00.

Bruno Cappelozza (236.2) vs. Vadim Nemkov (238.1)

Round 1

Nemkov lands a heavy leg kick, and Nemkov answers back with one of his own. Nemkov gets a takedown, but Cappelozza pops back up. Nemkov is very composed and lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cappelozza back. Despite the move to heavyweight, Nemkov looks just as quick. Nice jab to the body by Nemkov. Cappelozza blocks a punch that is followed by a head kick. Solid 1-2 by Nemkov is followed by a leg kick. Nemkov looks to twist his ankle temporarily but is moving fine afterward. Cappelozza can't get any meaningful offense off and is eating jabs. 10-9 Nemkov.

Round 2

Nemkov catches a kick from Cappelozza and fires off a high kick. A 1-2 for Nemkov comes up short. Cappelozza lands a nice kick and sneaks in a right hand that hurts his foe. Nemkov gets a takedown to take the fight to the floor. Nemov landing some solid short blows and moves to mount. Nemov secures an arm triangle choke. Cappelozza goes out! This fight is over.

The Official Result

Vadim Nemkov def. Bruno Cappelozza via Submission (Arm Triangle Choke); R2, 2:30.

Ray Cooper III (182) vs. Jason Jackson (182.1)

Round 1

Jackson comes out strong and looks sharp. Landing some heavy leg kicks that are bruising the legs of Cooper. The mobility of Cooper is already compromised as his lead leg is hurt. Jackson gets a takedown and puts Cooper on the ground. Jackson is controlling well and sneaking in some small punches. Cooper is being smothered. The round ends with Jackson laying in some heavy punches. The fight could've been stopped, but it continues. 10-9 Jackson.

Round 2

A leg kick from Jackson causes Cooper to fall to the ground. Jackson wastes no time and starts pounding his foe with punches. The fight is stopped. A completely one-sided beatdown.

The Official Result

Jason Jackson def. Ray Cooper III via TKO (Punches); R2, 0:23.

Middleweight Title Fight: PFL vs. Bellator
Impa Kasanganay (185.8) vs. Johnny Eblen (185.5)

Round 1

Eblen throwing heavy lands early. He then uses a single-leg takedown to get Kasanganay to the floor. Kasanganay gets back to his feet, but Eblen is staying on him. Exhausting grappling currently. Eblen lands a knee and an elbow before separating. Kasanganay is being outpointed on the outside. Both men show off kicks. Eblen throwing straight punches and making it hard for Kasanganay to catch him. Nice jab from Kasanganay. Eblen lands several uppercuts while chasing. One minute left. Kasanganay eats a right cross but counters with a nice body shot. The round ends with Kasanganay throwing a jumping knee. This became very close down the stretch. 10-9 Eblen.

Round 2

Wow! Kasanganay drops Eblen to start Round 2. A huge momentum shift. A big uppercut hurts Eblen, and Kasanganay starts cranking Elben's neck. Eblen gets out but is eating shots on the feet. Eblen dives for a takedown, but Kasanganay is defending well. Eblen separates but shoots again after a few exchanges on the feet. Eblen lifts Kasanganay but can't get his opponent down. Eblen finally gets a takedown and takes the back of Kasanganay. Eblen is looking for a rear-naked choke with 90 seconds left. Kasanganay gets guard with a minute left. Eblen is in control but not doing much damage. 10-9 Kasanganay.

Round 3

Both men have slowed down a bit to start the final round. Eblen working his jab. Kasanganay lands a nice left hook. A nice 1-2 by Eblen, who eats a calf kick. Eblen has recovered well from the damage he took in the second. Eblen lands a heavy right hand. Kasanganay goes to the body but gets punched while doing so. Big right hand for Eblen scores. Half a round left. A right hand for Kasanganay lands, but he eats an uppercut shortly afterward. Eblen goes for a takedown and gets it with 90 seconds left. That's potentially huge. Kasanganay gives up his back. Eblen is looking for a rear-naked choke with a minute left and secures a body lock. Kasanganay is fighting the hands. Eblen clearly wins the final frame, so it will be determined by the close first round. 10-9 Eblen (29-28 Eblen).

The Official Result

Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28); R3, 5:00.

Heavyweight Title Fight: PFL vs. Bellator
Renan Ferreira (263.2) vs. Ryan Bader (231.1)

Round 1

The main event will be overseen by Kerry Hatley. Bader takes the center of the cage. Bader throws out a jab and eats a right hand from Ferreira that knocks him down. Ferreira wastes no time and starts throwing an onslaught of punches to Bader, who turtles up. Several seem to go to the back of the head, but this fight is rightly called off. PFL finally gets a win in the biggest fight of the night. A clutch performance by Ferreira.

The Official Result

Renan Ferreira def. Ryan Bader via TKO (Punches); R1, 0:21.