Category: PFL

MMA Junkie Radio #3353: UFC on ESPN 44 and 2023 PFL 3 reaction, Dana White talks Paul vs. Diaz

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,353, the fellas look back at the two big events from the weekend, 2023 PFL 3 on Friday and UFC on ESPN 44 on Saturday. What’s next for Max Holloway? And what about what Dana White had to say about Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz officially being booked? That and much more. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

2023 PFL 3 post-fight videos: Ray Sefo, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Sadibou Sy, more

Hear from each winner, including a pair of 2022 champions and PFL president Ray Sefo, after the fights at 2023 PFL 3 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – The first half of the PFL’s regular season concluded this weekend with 2023 PFL 3, which featured welterweights and lightweights in action for the first time this year.

The event took place Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, with prelims that simultaneously aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

After their fights, 2022 PFL champions Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Sadibou Sy, along with other winners and PFL president Rey Sefo spoke about the event in news conferences, which MMA Junkie attended. You can check out each interview below.

PFL CEO Peter Murray talks Shane Burgos’ loss, Jake Paul’s MMA debut, Francis Ngannou, more

PFL CEO Peter Murray shares his thoughts on Jake Paul’s MMA debut, a potential Francis Ngannou signing, and more.

LAS VEGAS – The third PFL event for 2023 is in the books, and the promotion’s CEO [autotag]Peter Murray[/autotag] spoke to the media to give updates on the biggest things going on with the company.

2023 PFL 3 went down on Friday night at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

Below you can check out Murray’s comments on [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]’ debut loss, what’s going on with [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag], potential signing of [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag], [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]’s future, and more.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier happy to see 2022 PFL champs beat UFC signings: ‘Hell yeah, it feels better’

Olivier Aubin-Mercier is glad to see PFL talent triumph over the recent UFC signings.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] feels the start to the 2023 PFL season has proved that PFL has talent.

In the first three events of the year, 2022 champions Rob Wilkinson, Brendan Loughnane and Aubin-Mercier (18-5) himself all defeated the recent signings that came over from the UFC. Wilkinson and Loughnane beat former UFC title challengers Thiago Santos and Marlon Moraes respectfully, and on Friday evening, Aubin-Mercier outpointed [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag] at 2023 PFL 3.

The event took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The main card aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

Aubin-Mercier defeated Burgos (15-4) in a unanimous decision, winning 30-27 across all judges’ scorecards.

“I want to apologize for Loughnane, Razor and myself for beating all the big signings,” Aubin-Mercier told reporters at the 2023 PFL 3 post-fight press conference with a smirk. “Sorry, PFL. I know you paid a lot of money for those three guys, and we killed them. I’m sorry.”

Aubin-Mercier feels this proves that PFL has talent and that former UFC fighters need to realize there’s quality within other promotions.

“Hell yeah, it feels better,” Aubin-Mercier said. “We did our job. All the champs won and beat the big signings. It’s great for us, and it proves that we’re still here. We’re motivated, and I do think Shane was the most dangerous of the three. He’s still young, he still has that free in him, and he’s a fan favorite. Unfortunately, I canceled his game plan, but I’m really proud of this win. This is probably the biggest win of my career if you think about it.”

As far as on a personal note, Aubin-Mercier thinks this is likely the biggest win of his career.

“For sure, it’s a top three,” Aubin-Mercier said. “I had a good win against Drew Dober and people like this, but I do think that Shane is the most well known of them all.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 3.

2023 PFL 3 video: Sadibou Sy crushes Jarrah Al-Silawi with nasty knee to the body

Sadibou Sy completely crushed Jarrah Al-Silawi with a nasty knee to the body.

LAS VEGAS – 2022 PFL champion [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] closed out PFL’s third event of 2023 in spectacular fashion.

At Friday’s 2023 PFL 3 which took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Sy (14-6-2) folded his opponent [autotag]Jarrah Al-Silawi[/autotag] with a nasty body kick and then followed up with punches to pick up a second-round TKO in the main event of the card.

The stoppage came at the 1:14 mark and earned Sy five points in the 2023 welterweight season. The event aired on ESPN+, following prelims on ESPN.

The first round was a fairly even affair, as Al-Silawi (18-5) had his moments despite Sy being in control for the majority of the round. In the second round, Sy came out strong. He connected with a nasty knee to the body that immediately hurt Al-Silawi. From there, Al-Silawi backed up in pain, as Sy rushed in to finish what he started. It was a vicious TKO win.

You can check out Sy’s finish in the video below:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 3.

2023 PFL 3 results: Sadibou Sy records crushing TKO; Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoils Shane Burgos’ debut

2023 PFL 3 took place Friday in Las Vegas, where 2022 champions Sadibou Sy and Olivier Aubin-Mercier walked away with victories.

LAS VEGAS – 2023 PFL 3 took place Saturday, MMA Junkie provided live and official results throughout the entire card.

The event took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The main card aired on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

In the main event, 2022 welterweight season winner Sadibou Sy (14-6-2) took on former Brave CF champion Jarrah Al-Silawi (18-5). Sy started his 2023 journey to a second title on the right track with a devastating second-round finish.

In the co-feature, Magomed Magomedkerimov (31-6) was a 12-1 favorite in his welterweight bout against Ben Egli (14-5), and the odds proved to be correct as Magomedkerimov needed just over a minute to get the job done by TKO.

The event also featured the debut of UFC veteran Shane Burgos who took on 2022 PFL champ and fellow UFC vet Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Unfortunately for Burgos, his debut would be spoiled behind the grappling attack of Aubin-Mercier.

Full 2023 PFL 3 results include:

2023 PFL 3: Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoils Shane Burgos’ debut, wins unanimous decision

2022 PFL champ Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoiled Shane Burgos’ PFL debut.

[autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] continued his unbeaten run on Friday night.

The 2022 PFL lightweight champion spoiled [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]’ debut in PFL, as he outpointed him to win a unanimous decision. It was a clean 30-27 across all judges’ scorecard.

The 155-pound bout went down at 2023 PFL 3 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

The first round was pretty evenly contested. Both traded many leg kicks and were also able to connect cleanly with punches. Neither fighter wobbled or stunned the other. However, Aubin-Mercier (18-5) did seem to be a bit more ahead. There was a clean uppercut that connected, that dropped Burgos’ (15-4) mouthpiece. He also seemed to have a bit cleaner shots and his jab was on point.

The second was very similar to the first. They were pretty evenly matched on the feet, with Aubin-Mercier slightly ahead. About halfway through, Aubin-Mercier shot for a takedown and pressed Burgos against the cage. It took a bit for Aubin-Mercier to get the takedown, but he eventually got it. Burgos got right back up, but had his back taken while standing. Aubin-Mercier pretty much controlled Burgos against the cage with little damage until the end of the round.

Aubin-Mercier went immediately back to the ground in the third. He closed the distance and took down Burgos against the cage. Burgos did a great job at defending and would get up numerous times, but Aubin-Mercier kept on him and would drag him back down to the canvas.

Aubin-Mercier controlled Burgos for the majority of the round, but in the final 30 seconds Burgos was able to break free and land heavy combos on Aubin-Mercier, cutting him over the eye. The flurry was not enough to win him the round on the judges’ eyes.

With this win, Aubin-Mercier remains unbeaten since his UFC release in 2019. He’s currently on a seven-fight winning streak – a run that saw him win the 2022 PFL lightweight season and now get a three point start to the 2023 season.

On the other hand, Burgos was unable to start his PFL run on a high note and score points in hopes to make it to the playoffs. The defeat also snapped a two-fight winning streak for Burgos, as he had outpointed Billy Quarantillo and Charles Jourdain in previous outings. Burgos fought out his contract with the UFC and signed with the PFL in late 2022.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 3.

2023 PFL 3 video: Carlos Leal runs through David Zawada in vicious first-round KO

Carlos Leal scored a brutal KO at Friday’s 2023 PFL 3 event.

[autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag]’s start to the 2023 PFL 3 season couldn’t have gone any better after quickly putting away [autotag]David Zawada[/autotag] in the first round to earn six points in the welterweight season.

The Brazilian clipped Zawada (18-8) with a right hand and then swarmed him with a combination that sent him towering down to the canvas. Leal (17-4) just needed a few follow-up punches to get the referee to stop the action. The official stoppage came at the 2:25 mark of Round one.

You can watch Leal’s finish in the video below:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 3.

2023 PFL 3 video: Magomed Umalatov blasts Dilano Taylor in first-round KO

Magomed Umalatov made quick work of Dilano Taylor at 2023 PFL 3.

It didn’t take long for [autotag]Magomed Umalatov[/autotag] to get his six points for PFL’s 2023 season.

Umalatov (13-0) needed less than two minutes to dispatch his opponent [autotag]Dilano Taylor[/autotag] in the opening bout of 2023 PFL 3 on Friday night. The event took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas and aired on ESPN and ESPN+.

Just as both fighters were getting settled, Umalatov wobbled Taylor (10-4) with a right hand, sending him to the canvas. The Russian only needed a few extra follow-up shots to get the referee to waive off the action. With the first round finish, Umalatov scores six points in PFL’s 2023 welterweight season.

You can watch Umalatov’s finish in the video below:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL 3.

MMA Junkie Radio #3352: Guest Aaron Pico, Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”


Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,352, the fellas welcome guest [autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag], who returns to action at Bellator 295. They discuss the booking of Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz, the latest MMA news, and more. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.