PFL Challenger Series 4 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Charles Decca (155.8) vs. Jose Aguayo (155.0)

Round 1

Kicking off the PFL Challenger Series 4 card which features lightweights, Charles Decca (4-2-1) battles Jose Aguayo (5-2). Referee Josh Rutgers will work the first fight of the night. Aguayo has a weird stance from which he throws an overhand right and it knocks Decca down, though it's mostly from him being off-balance. Decca tries to get it back with his own punches, but Aguayo dodges. Decca does score with a leg kick though and Aguayo appears a little hurt. Decca scores another one. They clinch and Aguayo tosses Decca into the cage. They resume in the center of the cage and Decca lands a fancy switch kick to Aguayo's head. He then lands another leg kick and clinches, getting an easy pick-up and slam. Decca is now in the half-guard, throwing the occasional left hand. After a while, he starts scoring with right hands to the body, though none are especially hard. Aguayo isn't doing much from the bottom, either in terms of getting back up or throwing up submissions. Decca postures up though, and Aguayo tries to throw some upkicks, though none land flush. Decca continues working with short left hands. Decca briefly gets to side-control but Aguayo gets back to half-guard. Aguayo finally goes for a heel hook, but it doesn't work. Aguayo tries to get up when Decca loses his base, but Decca easily pushes Aguayo back down. He postures all the way up to his feet, but Aguayo doesn't score with upkicks, though Decca's punch from the standing position misses, too. Decca gets back to the half-guard as Aguayo throws up a very loose triangle. Decca easily gets out of it and scores with a few right hands. Aguayo slaps Decca's head off his back. Decca now enters the full guard and throws a few more arm punches as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Decca
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Decca
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Decca

Round 2

Aguayo begins the stanza with a punch that mostly misses and Decca throws a leg kick that partially lands. Decca wades forward precitably but Aguayo's punch is mostly blocked. Decca scores with another nice leg kick and they appear to be hurting Aguayo. Decca now throws a body kick but it's caught. Aguayo, however, is unable to convert it into a takedown. Decca paws with his punches and eats a 1-2 from Aguayo, though it's not enough to hurt him. Decca gets a Thai plum and lands a knee to the body. Soon after, he lands another leg kick and this one definitely hurts Aguayo. Decca throws more kicks, but Aguayo dodges them, including one o the head. Decca goes back to the clinch but isn't successful with this one, eating a few small Aguayo punches. Aguayo lands more punches at range. Still, it's another Decca leg kick that has the most impact. Aguayo throws a 1-2 and Decca ducks under, but Aguayo lands a front kick to the body soon after and then a jab. Decca is only having success with leg kicks in the striking, if it wasn't obvious. Decca partially lands a leg kick and then eats another 1-2 from Aguayo. Decca throws a very telegraphed left hook and eats a right cross to the head. However, none of Aguayo's punches are hard. Decca misses another wild left hook and eats another straight right from Aguayo. Decca partially lands another leg kick, but they're slower and less powerful than they were earlier in the round. Aguayo partially gets another 1-2 through and Decca touches him with another leg kick. Aguayo lands another 1-2 as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Aguayo
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Aguayo
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Aguayo

Round 3

Decca begins the round with what else? A leg kick, and this one has some power on it. Aguayo tries a kick, but it's bent at the knees, slow, and easily blocked. They exchange punches in the pocket and while it's even, Decca lands one of his first punches of the fight with a right hook. Decca then scores another leg kick that leaves Aguayo in very obvious pain. Decca now lands a jab and Aguayo throws a right hand over the top. Decca goes for a wild shot and while Aguayo initially ends up on top, Decca keeps wrestling and puts Aguayo on his back. Decca is now in the half-guard. He peppers Aguayo with short punches, who seems resigned to his fate, who repeatedly slaps Decca in the head. Decca tries to posture up and does land a few right hands before coming back down on top of Aguayo. Aguayo spins like he is looking for a submission but doesn't throw anything up. Aguayo has 90 seconds left but he doesn't appear to feel much urgency. He looks for a possible armbar but Decca is wise to it and simply cuts the angle. Decca throws a few right hands to the body now as Aguayo is against the cage. He could easily wall-walk back up, but instead is content to be on his back. An armbar attempt allows Aguayo to spin to the other side, but Decca gets him in a wrestling ride and starts ripping knees to the side of Aguayo's body again and again. The round ends, with a clear victory for Decca.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Decca (29-28 Decca)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Decca (29-28 Decca)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Decca (29-28 Decca)

The Official Result

Charles Decca def. Jose Aguayo via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Antonio Caruso (155) vs. Anthony Romero (156)

Round 1

Next up is Antonio Caruso (8-1) meeting Anthony Romero (11-1). Will their fighting ability be as similar as their first names and records? Referee Larry Folsom will oversee the confrontation. Caruso begins with a series of jabs, though Romero evades. Caruso scores with a leg kick but his head kick is blocked. Caruso scores with a second leg kick, but Romero gives him a receipt with a hard one of his own. Caruso throws some solid punches but Romero evades well with head movement. Romero lands an uppercut to the body, though Caruso springs out of the way soon after. Romero scores with a clean jab right to the face, the best of the fight thus far. He then lands another leg kick and then partially gets an overhand right through. He then lands another hard leg kick. He then throws a hard body kick but Caruso mostly blocks it. Caruso throws a kick and Romero goes for a takedown. Caruso defends the initial attempt but Romero chain-wrestles and gets him down. Caruso uses the cage to wall-walk back up and while Romero keeps the pressure on, he disentangles himself. However, Caruso pushes too hard and Romero hits him with a beautiful whizzer, ending up on top. Caruso begins building his best, and despite Romero going for an ankle pick, stands back up. Romero then lifts him up from the waist and gets a mat return. However, Caruso gets right back up and spins off the cage, as they are back at range. Romero blocks a body kick. Caruso throws a few overhand rights and the second one gets through. Now it's Caruso wrestling but yet again, he gets hit with a huge whizzer and in the ensuing scramble, Romero is on top. Caruso again tries to build his base but Romero is all over his back. He manages to get Caruso back to the mat with 30 seconds left. Romero takes Caruso's back with both hooks in and then locks in a body triangle. He tries for the RNC, but with 10 seconds left, he is out of time. Very impressive stanza by Romero.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Romero
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Romero
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Romero

Round 2

Caruso misses a leg kick to begin the round. He misses some follow-up punches while Romero scores with a leg kick. Caruso grapples but is pushed off. However, he almost lands a head kick on the break. Romero lands a nice right hand that causes Caruso to go back. Caruso throws again and Romero evades nicely, countering with another right hand. Caruso lands a jab, though, and is having success. He just barely dodges a Romero right hand. Caruso throws a jab and then an overhand right that Romero manages to duck under. Romero is evading Caruso's punches nicely, and finding his own spots. Caruso misses a few jabs but also dodges Romero's big right cross. Romero with a nice jab that touches Caruso. Caruso, however, comes forward and lands a nice right hook at the end. Romero blocks a body kick and suddenly lands a HUGE 1-2 with a monster right cross that badly hurts Caruso, who stumbles back awkwardly against the cage. Romero is merciless, trailing Caruso to the floor and pounds him with hammerfist and punche after punch after hammerfist. Caruso is eating an incredible number of punches but somehow manages to survive, trying to get up against the cage. Romero tries to lock in a rear-naked choke but Caruso grabs the cage and gets out. The referee immediately notices and docks Caruso a point on top of a round where he was dominated. They resume in the center with a little over a minute left. Before long, Caruso lands another huge right hook that hurts Caruso, though he stays on his feet. Caruso, however, is tough and briefly takes Romero down. Romero gets up, though Caruso lands a few short punches. Caruso is now throwing very tired punches as Romero stalks his prey. Caruso misses 1-2 after 1-2. The round ends fairly peacefully, though.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-7 Romero
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-8 Romero
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-7 Romero

Round 3

Caruso comes forward aggressively, but a series of jabs and right hooks all miss. He clinches again and for a third time, Romero counters with a fantastic whizzer, slamming Caruso to his back. Romero postures up and Caruso uses it to get back. Suddenly, Caruso lands a nice short right hook and a left uppercut! Romero exits but Caruso had his best sequence of the fight. Romero lands a nice knee to the body from in close. Now Caruso swings with a very tired overhand right, as he may be spent. Caruso keeps throwing, but his punches are now very visibly slow and weak. Caruso clinches but Romero has no problems pancake sprawling. Romero spins and takes the back. Soon he gets both hooks in and while he is too high, Caruso is too tired to take advantage. Romero is now working for a rear-naked choke. Caruso works to undo the body triangle and incredibly, he gets out and is now on top! Romero elevates with butterfly hooks and then uses another whizzer to reverse position! Now Romero lands a nice knee to the body. With 2 minutes left, Romero drapes himself on Caruso's back again and starts attacking with a rear-naked choke. Romero has another body triangle and he lands short punches as Caruso, horribly exhausted, continues defending and fighting. Caruso hand-fights to prevent the choke as he eats short punches. Romero doesn't give up on the choke, but with 30 seconds left, it appears that Caruso will survive. Romero lands more short punches as the fight expires as Caruso reverses at the very, very end. A fun fight and highly impressive performance by Anthony Romero.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Romero (30-25 Romero)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Romero (30-26 Romero)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Romero (30-25 Romero)

The Official Result

Anthony Romero def. Antonio Caruso via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Manoel Sousa (154.8) vs. Paulo Henrique Laia (155.4)

Round 1

In what is technically the co-main, undefeated Manoel Sousa (9-0) faces fellow Brazilian Paolo Henrique Laia (14-5). Referee Josh Rutgers will keep them honest. Laia begins with a nice front kick, though the quick Sousa darts out of range. Sousa is showing some fantastic and fast movement around the cage to begin the fight. Laia throws a leg kick and despite being monstrously tall for the lightweight division, avoids it. Sousa comes forward with nice punches and lands several hard body punches and then a nice right hand upstairs. Laia changes levels to clinch but Sousa gets the better of it and works on a possible arm. In the scramble, Laia gets out and while Sousa is briefly on top, they stand up against the cage with Laia throwing knees to the body and shoulders to the head, taking advantage of his massive height advantage. Sousa lands a few knees to the body himself, but Laia is more effective with his own and having success with shoulders to the head. Sousa turns Laia around and manages to lift Laia and drop him to the canvas. Sousa is too high on top and Laia sweeps. However, Sousa is looking for a submission and latches on to an armbar. However, Laia is in a good position and soon gets out, being back on top. Sousa is pivoting on his butt, though. Laia pushes Sousa down and lands a few small punches. Laia now opens up with some nice hammerfists. HOwever, Laia postures out and Sousa locks in a big heel hook. Laia acts like it doesn't hurt but when he stands up and tries to get away, Sousa forces him back down to the canvas. Laia finally gets out but Sousa uses it to get on top himself. Laia throws up a triangle, but Sousa gets out and is now in the moount. Laia regains half-guard, though. They continue scrambling as time expires, with Sousa on top. Very close round.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Sousa
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sousa
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sousa

Round 2

Sousa throws a jab and big overhand right, but the tall Laia is out of range. However, he then nails Laia with another overhand right and uses it to work for a takedown against the cage. Laia defends for a while, landing some punches to the head but Sousa soon brings him down. Sousa is working in the half-guard, landing a few punches, though Laia is throwing punches off his own back. Laia manages to post up and gets back to his feet. Now Laia is pushing Sousa against the cage. Laia forces matters and they scramble, with Sousa spinning for another armbar. Laia stays calm, but Sousa appears to roll him over and get it. However, Laia is ridiculously long and neatly spins out, as the crowd appreciatvely claps. Laia is now in side control and lands several solid knees to the body. Laia adds a few short hammerfists as well, as Sousa is staying on the bottom. Laia willingly goes back to half-guard and lands a few more hammerfists. Laia postures up and lands some short punches now. Sousa tries a kimura lock again but does nothing with it. However, in North-South, Sousa hits a beautiful sweep. He now goes for a kimura and Laia again spins out nicely. However, Sousa may have a possible armbar with a little over a minute left. Still, Laia is not concerned and gets out of it and is again on top. His arm is still trapped but in no danger of getting it extended. Laia stacks up Sousa nicely as Sousa lands a few hammerfists off his back. Sousa keeps going for it but it's not there as Laia fully spins out with 6 seconds left. Entertaining scrambles and submission attempts!

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Laia
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sousa
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sousa

Round 3

Laia throws a nice front kick to the face, but Sousa is still moving very well and dodges. Sousa's punches are a little slower now as they mostly miss as he briefly clinches. Sousa does partially land a nice left hook, though, as his follow-up shots miss. However, Laia is against the cage and eats a huge overhand right. He eats a few other big punches, but instead of staying standing, Sousa takes the mount. Laia works back into half-guard but Sousa locks in a very tight arm triangle with one leg trapped. Laia beautifully pushes with his feet off the cage and spins back to his feet. Laia wrestles to get Sousa down, but Sousa spins for yet another armbar. Now off his back Sousa cranks a huge kimura and he uses it to sweep into top position. He continues attacking the arm as he is on top in half-guard. Laia looks in pain but refuses to tap. Laia almost sweeps Sousa but Sousa stays tough and pushes him back down. Sousa lands a few punches as Laia tries to stand and then uses a whizzer to put Laia's back firmly on the canvas. With 101 seconds left, there is a problem with Sousa's glove as the referee calls a halt to the action. They take care of it and then resume the action. Sousa lands a few nice left hands. Yet again, Sousa goes for another arm triangle choke. Sousa needs to get his leg out but doesn't do so and Laia retains full guard. Sousa lands some nice ground-and-pound now, nailing Laia. Laia even postures to the side, eating some big shots. Laia tries to stand but Sousa pushes him back down into the cage. Sousa continues pounding away with punches and a possible choke as the fight ends. An entertaining scrap.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Sousa (29-28 Sousa)
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Sousa (30-27 Sousa)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sousa (30-27 Sousa)

The Official Result

Manoel Sousa def. Paulo Henrique Laia via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Elvin Espinoza (156) vs. Damir Ferhatbegovic (157.2: Missed Weight)

Round 1

In the main event, undefeated Elvin Espinoza (7-0) goes to war with Damir Ferhatbegovic (6-2-1), nicknamed "The Bosnian Barn Cat", who missed weight by over a pound. Referee Larry Folsom gets the night's final assignment. Ferhatbegovic lands an inside leg kick to begin the final fight. Espinoza misses a head kick. Ferhatbegovic lands another leg kick and Espinoza's attempted counter is blocked. Ferhatbegovic circles and continues throwing kicks, just missing a front kick to the body. Espinoza shoots but Ferhatbegovic stuffs him well. However, against the cage Espinoza scores with an outside trip. Espinoza lands in side control and tries too soon to step over, being pushed off and allowing Ferhatbegovic to wall-walk back up. Espinoza continues grappling and partially lands a knee to the head. Espinoza now works against the cage landing knees to the thighs of Ferhatbegovic. Ferhatbegovic spins off and gets back to range. Espinonza partially lands a right jab and then clinches again. He picks up Ferhatbegovic and gets a huge slam where he picks up Ferhatbegovic at least five feet off the canvas before he is brought back with authority to the ground. However, he is unable to do much from the top and Ferhatbegovic spins out for a while, ready to stand up. Espinoza gets him back down and give him no space in the half-guard. However, neither is Espinoza landing much offense. Espinoza again tries to wrench his leg free but is unable to do so. Espinoza lands a few short left hands and hammerfists. Ferhatbegovic takes advantage of Espinoza posturing to post and push back up and he soon pushes Espinoza off, returning to the center of the cage. Espinoza lands a series of jabs which Ferhatbegovic tries to dodge with head movement, but is too slow in doing so. A spinning backfist by Ferhatbegovic misses and he eats a couple more jabs as the opening round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Espinoza
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Espinoza
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Espinoza

Round 2

Ferhatbegovic lands another leg kick. Espinoza clinches again and Ferhatbegovic's attempt to throw him ends with him on his own back only 30 seconds into the round. Ferhatbegovic utilizes a closed full guard now. Espinoza postures up but isn't throwing much in the way of punches. Ferhatbegovic tries to wall-walk but Espinoza uses the opportunity to take his back and he has one hook in, working for a rear-naked choke. He lands a few punches and then wrenches a rear-naked choke, landing hard on his own back. He has it sunk in deep and Ferhatbegovic has no choice but to tap. An impressive submission finish!

The Official Result

Elvin Espinoza def. Damir Ferhatbegovic via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 1:53 of Round 2