PFL 4 2021 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Chris Wade (146) vs. Arman Ospanov (144.8)

Round 1

Kicking off tonight's card, we have nearly even odds for American Chris Wade (18-6) taking on Kazakhstan's Arman Ospanov (11-3) at featherweight. Calling the action will be referee Gary Copeland. Ospanov starts out circling, occasionally throwing power punches with bad intentions. Wade soon closes the distance and goes for a headlock takedown, but Ospanov scrambles out and gets a wrestling ride against his foe. Wade works for a kimura from the bottom and eventually gets a sweep. However, he goes for an armbar, which allows Ospanov to disengage. Both men stand up and Ospanov lands several solid punches. Wade soon clinches, wanting nothing of the stand-up. He grinds Ospanov against the cage as the pace slows, with Wade throwing the occasional knee. Ospanov manages to spin away though and he gets back on his bike. He tries several fancy kicks, including a spinning back kick, but they are easily avoided. Ospanov lands a check right hook as Wade comes forward. Wade is having a little success with kicks to the body, but his fists are largely ineffective. Ospanov counters a Wade leg kick with a punch, but doesn't put enough force into it to seriously hurt the American. Wade keeps coming forward and Ospanov circles away, but Ospanov keeps getting the best of these exchanges. Wade lands a few leg kicks as the round ends. An entertaining, high-paced stanza. 10-9 Ospanov.

Round 2

The pace is a little slower to begin the round, as both men attempt fancy kicks that do little damage. Out of nowhere, Ospanov lands a hard right hand behind the ear of Wade, knocking down and hurting his opponent. He charges forward with a barrage of punches, some missing, but a few landing flush. Nevertheless, Wade manages to survive the barrage and starts throwing back strikes of his own, showing a tough chin. Then, even more shockingly, Wade lands a head kick when Ospanov awkwardly leaned forward! Ospanov is badly hurt and Wade lands several clean punches that finish the fight! What a comeback and shocking result!

The Official Result

Chris Wade def. Arman Ospanov via KO (Head Kick and Punches) at 2:18 of Round 2

Jesse Stirn (146.8: Missed Weight) vs. Sheymon Moraes (146)

Round 1

In another featherweight clash, UFC veteran Sheymon Moraes (11-5), who was knocked out inside of 3 minutes by Brendan Loughnane less than 2 months ago, returns against Jesse Stirn (11-4), who missed weight. Keeping them honest will be referee Keith Peterson. Stirn starts out pawing and measuring the distance, while Moraes calmly waits. Moraes jabs, but it's blocked. Stirn keeps circling, and a minute in, neither man has engaged yet. Finally, Moraes lands the first real strike of the fight, with a solid leg kick. Not long after that, Stirn lands a beautiful judo trip that puts the Brazilian on his back. He is already in side-control, and throws the occasional knee to the body, while Moraes' hips are largely square. Eventually, he tries to hip-escape, but is only able to retain half-guard. However, Moraes works a kimura lock, looking to sweep. Stirn is tough, however, and stays on top. With 3 minutes having elapsed, Stirn stays on top, although he has done very little from that position. Eventually, Moraes gets a sweep of sorts and stands up, although Stirn remains attached to his back. Moraes manages to turn around and they're back in a 50/50 position, with each man having one underhook each, with 30 seconds left. Stirn goes for another throw, but it's blocked. Moraes goes for a throw of his own and this time, lands some punches and a knee to the body from it. As the round ends, Stirn gets another takedown. Close round, but Stirn literally landed zero strikes of consequences and did nothing with top control. Moraes at least landed a few meaningful blows. 10-9 Moraes.

Round 2

The two men start the second round cautiously. Moraes throws a few punches, which partially get through. Then, like a thunderbolt, Moraes lands a hard right cross that lands flush and drops Stirn on his butt. He attempts to finish him off with ground-and-pound, but Stirn gets his wits together and ties him up. Moraes decides to stand back up. Moraes is attacking with punches now, and they're getting through, although none hard enough to hurt Stirn again. Stirn is openly looking to clinch, but he is wading forward with his hands down, putting himself at risk. Indeed, one such attempt leads to Stirn eating a powerful hook from the Brazilian. Moraes then touches Stirn with a left hook halfway through the round. Stirn clinches for dear life, but Moraes defends it and disengages. Moraes lands a nice jab and follows it up with a decent leg kick soon after. Stirn is rarely throwing, and in the rare moments he does, it's easily blocked and evaded. Stirn goes for a trip attempt, but it's blocked and Moraes gets a headlock, which eventually forces the American to bail. Moraes continues landing with jabs and leg kicks against Stirn, who is very outmatched in the stand-up. As the round ends, Stirn hits a beautiful hip throw. However, he is a little too complacent, and from the bottom, Moraes cranks a monstrous kimura. Not only does he reverse Stirn, but Stirn has no choice but to tap out! Another shocking, sudden finish!

The Official Result

Sheymon Moraes def. Jesse Stirn via Submission (Kimura) at 4:59 of Round 2

Akhmed Aliev (155.6) vs. Loik Radzhabov (156)

Round 1

In the night's first lightweight bout, Russia's Akhmed "Butcher" Aliev (20-6) faces Tajikistan's Loik "Jaguar Paw" Radzhabov (13-3). Directing the showdown between the colorful nicknames will be Keith Peterson. Radzhabov starts the fight catching Aliev with a left hook followed by an overhand right that spins Aliev around. Aliev is clearly stunned and Radzhabov attacks mercilessly, landing a series of powerful uppercuts as Aliev desperately tries to clinch. He has no success, however, and Radzhabov pounds him out on the floor. It was all over in less than 30 seconds! Incredible performance by the fighter from Tajikistan.

The Official Result

Loik Radzhabov def. Akhmed Aliev via TKO (Punches) at 0:27 of Round 1

Marcin Held (155.6) vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (155.4)

Round 1

Next up, we have Marcin Held (27-7), coming off a huge upset of former PFL champion Natan Schulte, facing UFC veteran Olivier Aubin-Mercier (11-5) competing for the first time in almost 2 years. Watching them closely will be referee Gasper Oliver. Both fighters immediately start sensing the distance, throwing their lead hands out. Aubin-Mercier comes forward with a couple of punches and Held barely manages to dodge it. They then clinch and Held tries hard to take Aubin-Mercier down, locking on to a single-leg. However, the Canadian shows excellent balance, staying upright. Held is unwilling to let it go, however, continuing to grind him into the fence. Aubin-Mercier finally manages to escape and they are back at range. Aubin-Mercier lands an overhand left. Aubin-Mercier continues throwing kicks, but they're either blocked or dodged. Nevertheless, Held isn't landing much offense of his own. In response to a head kick from the Canadian, he again rushes forward to clinch, but Aubin-Mercier is wise to it and pushes him off. Aubin-Mercier comes forward with a sloppy 1-2 with the left cross coming out as almost an overhanded slap. Some time later, Aubin-Mercier lands a decent body kick. This time, it's Aubin-Mercier pressing Held against the cage, working for a takedown. Held reverses with a whizzer and they are back to a neutral position. They finally disengage with 30 seconds left. After a brief respite to put Held's mouthpiece back in, they continue exchanging blows, and out of the blow, Aubin-Mercier lands a cracking overhand right that floors Held and has him badly hurt. He begins pounding away, with Held's head bouncing off the cage floor. Yet, he finally manages to tie up the Canadian, just barely surviving the round! Great opening stanza for the Canadian fighter. 10-8 Aubin-Mercier.

Round 2

Aubin-Mercier begins the round aggressively, but Held is evasive. However, 20 seconds in, Aubin-Mercier lands a nice two-punch combination and a short while later, a head kick that partially lands. Held still looks wobbly. Seeking to change his fortunes, he desperately clinches. For the next 2 minutes, the action stalls, as Held is unwilling to let Aubin-Mercier go. Finally, the referee lets go and seperates him. Not long after, Aubin-Mercier lands a series of straight punches that land solidly and hurt Held, but they are yet again in a clinch. Aubin-Mercier is now the one in a better position, though, and with a little more than a minute remaining, he successfully takes the Polish fighter down. Held might not mind, as he manages to stall any ground-and-pound from the top, and starts throwing little annoying strikes of his own from the bottom. Aubin-Mercier throws a few small punches of his own, but nothing significant. Aubin-Mercier stands up as the round ends. 10-9 Aubin-Mercier.

Round 3

Held comes out a little aggressively to start the round, tripling up on his jab. However, Aubin-Mercier catches him with a nice counter for his efforts. Held throws a kick, but it seems tired and weak. Aubin-Mercier then easily evades his follow-up punches. The Canadian lands a hard jab of his own. Aubin-Mercier then comes forward and lands another solid overhand right followed by a nifty left uppercut. Held clinches, and then takes a chance to go for a heel hook against Aubin-Mercier. It looks tight, but the Canadian doesn't panic, spinning with the attempts and eventually getting his foot out of harm's way. Aubin-Mercier stands up while Held remains on his back, scooting forward. Eventually, they restart on the feet, with half a round remaining. Held is game though, trying spinning backfists and leg kicks, even if they lack power. He goes for a desperation single-leg, but he barely even touches Aubin-Mercier's body. Aubin-Mercier then lands another solid uppercut and they are again clinching. Held again spins for a heel hook, and Aubin-Mercier again spins out, this time grabing the cage to help himself. They once again disengage and Aubin-Mercier continues his success coming forward with arced punches. Of course, the downside is that they soon clinch again. Gasper Oliver breaks them up with 40 seconds left. Held is game, but eats several punches coming forward, and then, a head kick that stuns him. The entertaining scrap ends with Held continuing to come forward. 10-9 Aubin-Mercier (30-26 Aubin-Mercier)

The Official Result

Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Marcin Held via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Alex Martinez (156) vs. Natan Schulte (156)

Round 1

Former PFL champion Natan Schulte (20-4) will look to get back on track after dropping a decision to Marcin Held when he faces undefeated Paraguayan Alex Martinez (8-0). Presiding over the action will be referee Vitor Ribeiro. Martinez starts out boxing confidently, firing a technical 1-2. Martinez then follows up some punches with a nice front push-kick that forces Schulte back. Schulte doesn't want to strike for long, dropping down in response to a punch. A wild scramble ensues, and Schulte manages to take Martinez's back. Martinez keeps turning, though, but Schulte responds to his movements as this turns into a pure grappling contest. Every time that Schulte slows down and looks for a submission, however, Martinez continues moving. At one point, Martinez even manages to get a reversal and ends up on top of Schulte. Schulte immediately stands back up, though, and from the clinch, gets a beautiful judo throw to drop Martinez on his head. Schulte has a waistlock that he holds onto, but Martinez is tough and slippery, and again turns into Schulte. Finally, Martinez manages to get free and he fires off several leg kicks that land. The Paraguayan folllows up with several solid jabs as he circles effectively around the cage. Schulte's lone strikes are one or two calf kicks. Eventually, Schulte again clinches and temporarily gets Martinez down. But not for long, as Martinez gets back up. Out of nowhere, it's Martinez who shoots for a double-leg, but Schulte defends easily. A curious decision! Both fighters are a little tired from their breakneck pace, but Martinez continues to pepper Schulte with straight punches and kicks as Schulte lumbers forward. A tough round to score, with one man scoring with strikes and another with grappling. 10-9 Martinez.

Round 2

Starting the round, Martinez lands a powerful calf kick that has Schulte limping badly! Martinez continues to target it, and Schulte immediately grabs his opponent, taking him down. This time, after a scramble, Schulte firmly plants Martinez on his back. Martinez is active from his back, landing many small blows. Schulte postures up and Martinez takes the opportunity to scramble up. Schulte retains a waistlock from behind, though, and hits a mat-return. They continue grappling and Martinez manages to counter and try for his own takedown. He goes for Schulte's back but is too high and gets bucked off. Out of nowhere, they are back in the stand-up. Schulte continues lumbering forward but Martinez lands a nice punch combination, albeit not putting a lot of power into any blows. Schulte continues lumbering forward, looking to grapple. One such attempt ends with Martinez hitting a nice switch and Schulte is forced to stand back up. Schulte is coming forward like a Terminator, and eats some jabs and kicks for his efforts. Schulte eventually gets another takedown from a waistlock, but Martinez manages to post up from his knees and get back to a neutral clinch position. After disengaging, Martinez goes for a risky knee to the body, but it works. Not long after, Schulte clinches again. These waistlocks are less successful now, as Martinez is on his feet instead of his knees. As the round ends, Martinez lands a body kick and then a 1-2. This is more clearly a round for the undefeated underdog. 10-9 Martinez.

Round 3

The round begins with Schulte continuing to lumber forward and being hit with a jab in response. Martinez retreats well and lands another combination going backward. Martinez then times Schulte coming forward with a nice knee to the body. Schulte eventually gets the clinch and throws Martinez down, but he is tired and doesn't pursue him, allowing Martinez to immediately get back up. Martinez continues moving well, peppering Schulte with the occasional strike. However, he gets a little too confident, throwing a spinning back kick that partially lands but also allows Schulte to get a takedown, putting Martinez firmly on his back. Martinez continues scrambling and finally finds a hip and explodes back up. Schulte holds on his waist and gets a mat return. Schulte continues grappling for dear life and keeps re-taking Martinez down every time the Paraguayan stands up. Schulte hangs on, but isn't landing either strikes or threatening with submissions from the top. Martinez goes for a Granby roll, but Schulte sticks to him like absolute clue. Eventually, Martinez stands up and makes his way to the cage. Finally, Schulte scores with a neat inside trip. Schulte throws a few half-hearted punches, but hasn't landed anything significant. They continue grappling, with Schulte simply refusing to give up the waistlock against Martinez. With the last few seconds ticking away, Schulte retains control. A very spirited effort by the Brazilian, but I still have the fight for Martinez. 10-9 Schulte (29-28 Martinez)

The Official Result

Natan Schulte def. Alexander Martinez via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

Brendan Loughnane (146) vs. Tyler Diamond (145.6)

Round 1

Ben Duffy takes over the play-by-play for Lev, just in time for a high-stakes featherweight scrap. Divisional points leader Loughnane (20-3, 3-0 PFL, 6 points), out of the United Kingdom, takes on Diamond (12-1, 1-0 PFL, 3 points), who hails from California but is proudly displaying his Canadian passport. Referee Keith Peterson motions them into action, and they comply. Both men switch stances in the early going as they feint and exchange jabs and low kicks. 90 seconds in, they’ve settled into orthodox stance. Loughnane catches Diamond with a punch combination and Diamond appears to consider a takedown, but stands back up. Diamond just whiffs with a huge overhand right, the third or fourth he’s thrown so far. Halfway through the round and Loughnane lands a glancing left high kick, followed by a hard right calf kick. Diamond is stalking forward, but Loughnane is giving ground and landing good counters. Diamond shoots for his first earnest takedown, running Loughnane to the fence and trying to secure a double-leg. He switches to a single, but Loughnane extricates himself and they reset in the middle of the cage. Diamond tries another double, again ends up with a single and Loughnane pulls his leg free as the round expires. 10-9 Loughnane.

Round 2

Loughnane is the one coming forward to open Round 2, throwing kicks with both legs and snapping his jab in Diamond’s face. Diamond stands his ground and throws a one-two that fall short. Loughnane throws a high kick that lands solidly on Diamond’s guard. Loughnane shoots for a takedown but Diamond sprawls all over it. Diamond spins to the back, but Loughnane is up, up and away. Loughnane catches Diamond coming in with a right uppercut that stuns him. He staggers backward as Loughnane gives chase, looking for the finish. Diamond goes down and Loughnane stops short of diving down onto him, choosing instead to throw standing-to-ground punches. Diamond staggers away and returns to his feet, but he’s hurt badly. Loughnane pursues, landing punches with both hands. Diamond goes down again, and as Loughnane moves in to drop strikes, Diamond grabs a desperation single-leg. There’s not much doing, but he does get back to his feet. They tumble across the cage, and Loughnane ends up on top in Diamond’s full guard. Under a minute left, and Diamond looks mostly recovered, but he’s on the bottom, just trying to control the Brit’s posture. Loughnane’s pace has slowed, but he is still dropping heavy punches as ref Peterson looks on closely. The round ends, an easy 10-8 for Loughnane.

Round 3

Loughnane comes out and immediately shoots a takedown that makes Dana White’s ears turn red. Diamond shucks him off. Loughnane crushes Diamond with a short right hand that drops him. Loughnane follows his man to the canvas, but Diamond grabs one of Loughnane’s ankles. Not only does it stave off the ground-and-pound, but Diamond actually secures the takedown! Diamond takes top position and spends a few seconds recovering before Loughnane gets back to his feet. Diamond shoots a nice double-leg and Loughnane sprawls beautifully, but helps himself to a handful of fence while he’s at it. Peterson stands them up and issues a warning. Loughnane rocks Diamond with a pair of punches. Diamond wobbles, but manages once again to survive with a desperation takedown. They scramble, with Loughnane trying to hit an inside switch, but Diamond ends up on top. Diamond works from top position near the fence. He looks for an arm triangle, but Loughnane escapes and they’re back to their feet. Loughnane rocks Diamond yet again with a pair of punches. Diamond is still on his feet. Loughnane blasts him with a knee to the face, then another. Diamond is unsteady on his feet as the round expires. That fight was a lot of fun for such a one-sided affair! 10-9 Loughnane (30-26 Loughnane).

The Official Result

Brendan Loughnane def. Tyler Diamond via Majority Decision (30-27, 29-27, 28-28)

Bubba Jenkins (145.6) vs. Bobby Moffett (146)

Round 1

Former NCAA wrestling champ Jenkins (15-4, 1-0 PFL, 3 points) meets MMA Lab product Moffett (13-5, 1 NC, 0-0 PFL) in another featherweight regular season tilt. “Shaolin” Ribeiro is on ref duty. After a touch of gloves, Jenkins launches an immediate head kick, followed by a long straight right which doesn’t land, but allows him to drive Moffett to the fence. Jenkins takes Moffett’s back standing, then works to drag him to the canvas. Moffett is game, looking to turn towards Jenkins and briefly looking for a choke, but Jenkins gets Moffett to his knees and sinks in one hook. Two minutes in, Moffett still has not conceded full back control, using a two-on-one to trap Jenkins’s hand. Moffett escapes to his feet and they separate, but Jenkins comes crashing right back in, looking for the takedown. Moffett counters with another choke attempt, and Jenkins gives up on the takedown. Moffett lands a low kick. Jenkins returns fire with a right hand. Jenkins is in southpaw stance, Moffett in orthodox. Jenkins steps in and lands a stance-switching right hand. Jenkins with a switch kick up top at the horn. 10-9 Jenkins.

Round 2

Jenkins comes out with a flying knee. It doesn’t land solidly, but same as in Round 1, allows him to close the distance and shove Moffett into the cage. Jenkins drops for a double-leg, hoists Moffett and dumps him to the ground. Moffett tries for another front choke as he’s being lifted, but loses it. Jenkins is heavy on top of the kneeling Moffett, landing short strikes. He tries to advance to the back, but Moffett slips away and stands. Moffett clinches and drives Jenkins to the fence. Now it’s Moffett bending at the waist, possibly looking for a takedown as Jenkins grabs a front headlock. Halfway through the round, Jenkins lands a knee, and they break the clinch. Jenkins drops for a single-leg and hauls Moffett to the ground. Jenkins working in Moffett’s full guard against the fence. A minute left in the round and not much going on. Moffett goes for a kimura and appears to have it locked up for a moment, but loses it. He tries to stand and gets to his knees, but Jenkins punishes him with punches the whole way. The round ends in that position. 10-9 Jenkins.

Round 3

Moffett and Jenkins meet in the middle of the cage and exchange punches. 30 seconds in, Jenkins shoots for a single-leg. He drives Moffett to the fence, pulls him down and immediately gets the outside leg ride. Moffett scrambles away and Jenkins is right back on him. The PFL booth, saying the quiet part loud, refers to Jenkins as a “wet blanket.” Moffett with another ninja choke attempt, and this one is tight enough to threaten, forcing Jenkins to scramble and extricate his neck. Moffett tries the choke once more, but there’s nothing there and they return to their feet. Moffett shoves Jenkins to the fence and unloads with a flurry of body shots, Jenkins shells up behind his guard as Moffett grabs a clinch and throws knees up the middle. Two minutes left. Jenkins shucks Moffett off, and drops for a takedown. Moffett shoves him away and tries to unload with more punches. 30 seconds left, and Moffett is coming forward with everything he’s got, but it looks as if Jenkins will hear the final bell. Barring another awful showing from the judges, Jenkins should have this one in the bag. 10-9 Moffett (29-28 Jenkins).

The Official Result

Bubba Jenkins def. Bobby Moffett via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Clay Collard (155.8) vs. Joilton Lutterbach (159.4: Missed Weight)

Round 1

Collard (19-8, 1 NC; 1-0 PFL, 3 pts), fresh off his season-opening win over Anthony Pettis, faces Brazilian-by-way-of-Germany Lutterbach (34-9, 1 NC; 0-1 PFL, 0 pts) in the lightweight co-main event. Gary Copeland is the third man in the cage. They set up in orthodox stance and exchange low calf kicks and some punches which mostly fall short. Lutterbach times Collard coming forward and drops for a nice reactive double-leg. He gets Collard down, but Collard isn’t conceding the takedown, using butterfly hooks to keep the Brazilian off of him. Collard pops up but is snared in a brabo choke. It looks tight! Copeland hovers near the action as the PFL booth speculates whether Collard has gone out, but he pops his head out and stands. He nails the kneeling Lutterbach with a punch and a soccer kick to the body, causing him to scramble up and away. Lutterbach takes Collard down again near the fence. Collard pops back up but Lutterbach is stuck to him. Lutterbach is persistent in looking for the takedown, dragging Collard to his knees and trying to get a hook in. A minute left in the round and Lutterbach is still looking for the takedown, Collard still doing a great job of returning to his feet each time. They separate just before the bell. 10-9 Lutterbach.

Round 2

Lutterbach drops for a takedown in the first 15 seconds, but Collard sprawls against the fence and shoves him off. Collard is the aggressor, coming forward and throwing punches. Lutterbach lands a nice intercepting knee to the body, but Collard answers with a punch to the body. Lutterbach tries another takedown, Collard fights it off, and when Lutterbach is slow to return to his feet, Collard nails him with another pair of soccer kicks to the body. Lutterbach stands and Collard is still coming forward, landing one-twos. Collard lands a hard left to the head, then another. Lutterbach is feeling those. Collard pushes Lutterbach to the fence and is met with a body lock and trip takedown. Collard once again pops right back up. With 90 seconds left, they separate and re-engage in the center of the canvas. Collard comes in with punches and backs Lutterbach up to the fence. They clinch, and Lutterbach trips Collard to the ground again. Lutterbach kneels over Collard against the cage, but Collard kicks him off with a foot on the hip. They separate and reset, and a few seconds later the bell sounds. 10-9 Collard.

Round 3

Collard comes forward to open Round 3 and Lutterbach appears to have slowed quite a bit. Collard lands a pair of punches to the body. Lutterbach shoots from outside and Collard sprawls all over it. Collard stands back and referee Copeland has to motion Lutterbach to stand. Collard comes in with more punches, throwing quite a few to the body. Lutterbach comes back with a knee to the body. Lutterbach shoots another takedown and again Collard stuffs is. Collard lands a combination of punches, including a nice left to the head. Lutterbach times Collard’s next entry and gets the takedown. Collard is on his back, with Lutterbach in his full guard, throwing punches and elbows from the bottom. They scoot to the fence and Collard rolls for a leg, working for a kneebar. Lutterbach defends calmly and when Collard works to stand, Lutterbach hoists him and slams him back to the canvas. They scramble to the fence, where the round, and fight, expire. Close round, but 10-9 Collard (29-28 Collard).

The Official Result

Clay Collard def. Joilton Lutterbach via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Claressa Shields (154.8) vs. Brittney Elkin (155.4)

Round 1

It’s time for the main event, a non-tourney lightweight bout between boxing star Shields (0-0 MMA, 11-0 boxing), who hopes to make a successful MMA debut at the expense of Elkin (3-6, 0-1 PFL). Gasper Oliver will oversee the proceedings. Shields inches forward as Elkin gives ground. Elkin flicks out a couple of front kicks. Elkin lands an inside leg kick. Shields misses with a huge sweeping right hand. Elkin comes forward and, when Shields throws a kick, drops levels and drives her to the canvas. Elkin is on top against the fence but Shields calmly gets back to her feet. They clinch against the fence and it’s now Shields grabbing a body lock and throwing Elkin to the ground. Elkin sweeps to top position, then passes to mount, grapevining both of Shields’ legs. Elkin is heavy on top, chest in Shields’ face, looking to isolate an arm so that she can drop strikes unimpeded. Shields sniffs it out and extricates her arm. A minute left, Elkin is still in full mount, trying to posture up and throw offense. In the PFL booth, Randy Couture gets in a quick jab at onetime Octagon opponent James Toney. Shields bucks and tries to get up, but Elkin is secure on top and starts throwing punches. Some get through, but Shields has good head movement on the ground and actually throws a few punches from the bottom before the bell. Largely dominant five minutes of work for the grappler, but without much damage to show for it. 10-9 Elkin.

Round 2

Shields comes out with another low kick. Elkin comes forward and Shields throws a pair of huge punches which glance off the taller woman’s guard. She lands another punch and Elkin drops for a takedown. Shields elects to try to reverse rather than escape, and she ends up on the bottom. Elkin uses a knee on the belly to move into mount, and it’s Elkin in dominant position with two minutes gone in the round. Shields bridges and tries to hip over, but Elkin stops it and goes back to work. Elkin throws short punches to the ribs of Shields, still looking to isolate an arm. Elkin doing a great job using her legs to grapevine only when Shields tries to turn. Shields tries to sit up but is blocked by the fence. Elkin postures up and throws a couple of punches. A minute left and Elkin is sitting on Shields’ chest, legs almost folded under her, very high. Elkin peels off for an armbar on the left side, but Shields extracts her arm, scrambles out and throws a flurry of hammerfists as Shields clings to a single-leg. The bell sounds. 10-9 Elkin.

Round 3

A tired-looking Elkin shoots for a long takedown in the opening seconds, but Shields sprawls nicely. Elkin works for it for a moment but loses it, and Shields gets on top, throwing a furious volley of punches as Elkin clings to an inverted single-leg. Referee Oliver is looking on closely. Elkin is inert, barely defending herself and after probably 30 unanswered strikes to the head, Oliver breaks it up. A rousing comeback win for Claressa Shields in her MMA debut.

The Official Result

Claressa Shields def. Brittney Elkin R3 1:44 via TKO (Punches)