Tag: 2021 PFL Championship

The MMA Road Show with John Morgan, No. 344: PFL, Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC 267

Episode No. 344 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.

Episode No. 344 of “The MMA Road Show with John Morgan” podcast is now available for streaming and download.

MMA Junkie lead staff reporter John Morgan hosts the show while traveling the world to cover the sport.

Morgan joins from Philadelphia, where he’s handling CFFC duties for the weekend, while Cold Coffee is home in Las Vegas, and the two talk about the latest happenings in the sport, including PFL, Dana White’s Contender Series and UFC 267.

Check it out on iTunes or at themmaroadshow.com. You can also subscribe via RSS.

Two-time PFL winner Kayla Harrison unsure of next move, but mentally ready for whatever it is

After winning her second $1 million PFL title, Kayla Harrison will officially head into free agency unsure of what her next move is.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – After winning her second $1 million PFL title, [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] will officially head into free agency unsure of what her next move is.

Harrison (12-0) stayed perfect with a second-round armbar submission of Taylor Guardado (3-2) on Wednesday to win another women’s lightweight title. She was a heavy favorite in the fight, and the two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo backed it up with yet another dominant performance.

But it was the last fight on her PFL deal, and now the speculation will be on whether she’ll return to the promotion or move on to another organization. A move to the UFC or Bellator, for example, would mean a move down to 145 pounds.

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“I think right now … I don’t know,” Harrison told MMA Junkie after her win. “I have a lot of thinking to do. I have a lot of options. I have a lot to process. I’m happy with the PFL. I love the PFL. I think they’re a great organization. I feel like if we hadn’t taken that year off (for COVID-19), I’d probably love them a lot more. They’re doing all the right things. I believe in the format. We’ll see what happens.”

Harrison has spent her entire career with the PFL, save for a lone one-off fight for Invicta FC in November 2020. That bout was at featherweight and came during the year the PFL shut down entirely due to the pandemic.

She won the promotion’s first women’s lightweight season in 2019 with a decision over Larissa Pacheco, whom she beat earlier in the season. Pacheco is the only fighter Harrison hasn’t finished. She holds unanimous decision wins over her in both their meetings.

Harrison said her focus now will be to continue training and essentially be ready for whatever decision she winds up making. But she said she’s been warned that her continued success is something she needs to be prepared for.

“I just want to go train and live my life,” Harrison said. “I love what I do, and I love who I do it with. But everyone around me says that it’s starting to build, and I better get ready for that. So I’m starting to mentally prepare. Whatever happens happens, and I’ll meet it when it does. For now, I just won. I’m undefeated still. I won in pretty dominant fashion. My family got to be here. Everyone’s healthy. Everyone’s safe. Life is good.”

Check out the complete conversation with Harrison in the video above.

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‘Happiest and saddest day of my life’: Bruno Cappelozza learns of father’s death after winning PFL title

Wednesday was bittersweet for newly crowned PFL heavyweight champ Bruno Cappelozza.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Wednesday was bittersweet for Brazilian heavyweight [autotag]Bruno Cappelozza[/autotag].

At the 2021 PFL Championship, Cappelozza (14-5) completed the goal of becoming the heavyweight champion by defeating Ante Delija (19-5) in an incredible back-and-forth battle that went the distance. However, just moments after hearing the judges scored the bout in his favor, crowning him the champion, and recipient of the $1 million prize, some heartbreaking news was revealed.

During the event’s broadcast, PFL commentator Sean O’Connell announced Cappelozza’s family withheld the news of his father’s death so that he would not be distracted before his fight. Shortly after exiting the cage, the news was revealed to the newly crowned champion.

Cappelozza’s father, Joao Cappelozza, died Sunday, three days prior to the championship bout at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

A few hours after the event, Cappelozza posted a photo with his father on Instagram, along with a statement describing his emotions.

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“Happiest and Saddest day of my life,” Cappelozza wrote in Portuguese. “I didn’t know I had lost my greatest love and friend of my life. Thank you for everything, things that only God can explain, I love you beyond life, thank you for teaching me to be this human being that I am.”

Understandably, Cappelozza did not attend the post-fight press conference and his team told MMA Junkie he would be on the first flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil on Thursday to be with his family.

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2021 PFL Championship video highlights: Harrison, Cooper win back-to-back $1 million titles

The PFL crowned six new $1 million winners for its 2021 season Wednesday, and two of them became repeat champions.

The PFL crowned six new $1 million winners for its 2021 season Wednesday, and two of them became repeat champions.

At the top of the card, Kayla Harrison (12-0) stayed perfect with a second-round armbar submission of Taylor Guardado (3-2). Harrison was a huge favorite in the fight and backed it up to win her second PFL women’s lightweight title. Now the speculation will turn to what her next move is and whether she’ll be back with the promotion for 2022.

In the welterweight final, Ray Cooper III (24-7-1) upset Magomed Magomedkerimov (29-6) with a big third-round knockout for his second title. He won the welterweight season in 2019. Magomedkerimov beat Cooper to win the 2018 title and was looking for his second belt, as well.

In other title fights, Bruno Cappelozza (14-5) beat Ante Delija (19-5) to win the heavyweight crown; Movlid Khaybulaev (19-0-1) stayed unbeaten and topped Chris Wade (20-7) to win the featherweight title; Antonio Carlos Junior (13-5) submitted Marthin Hamlet (8-3) to win at light heavyweight; and Raush Manfio (15-3) finished off his Cinderella story with a win over Loik Radzhabov (15-4-1) to win the lightweight title.

In non-title fights, Abigail Montes (3-0) upset boxing standout Claressa Shields (1-1) with a split decision. It was Shields’ first loss in combat sports. And former Bellator women’s featherweight champion Julia Budd (16-3) moved up to lightweight and beat Kaitlin Young (12-12-1) in her promotional debut.

Check out the highlights from the six playoff finals, as well as the non-title bouts, in the 2021 PFL Championship video above.

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Video: Watch the 2021 PFL Championship post-fight press conference

Check out what the winners of 2021 PFL Championship had to say at the post-fight press conference.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The PFL’s 2021 season concluded on Wednesday with 2021 PFL Championship at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Shortly after the event, you can watch the post-fight press conference on MMA Junkie to hear from the competitors of the event.

Expected to take part in the press conference are PFL president Rey Sefo, as well as winners from the championship bouts including Antonio Carlos Junior, Movlid Khaybulaev, Raush Manfio, Bruno Cappelozza, and others.

Watch the post-fight press conference in the video above.

2021 PFL Championship results: Kayla Harrison dominates Taylor Guardado to win second championship

Kayla Harrison wins second championship, submitting Taylor Guardado in the main event of 2021 PFL Championship.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] has done it again.

The two-time Olympic judo gold medalist has won her second PFL title and the $1 million prize that comes with it. Harrison (12-0) won the 2021 season by submitting [autotag]Taylor Guardado[/autotag] in the women’s lightweight final in the main event of 2021 PFL Championship.

The 2021 PFL Championship took place on Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The main card aired on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ with the prelims exclusively on ESPN+.

It was an easy night for Harrison.

The American Top Team product controlled Guardado (3-2) for almost the entirety of the fight.

In the first round, Harrison exchanged combinations with Guardado before quickly taking the fight to the ground. Guardado landed a nice right hand, but from there, Harrison went to work. She would land some solid shots and look for submissions, but Guardado did a good job at defending and getting back to her feet. It didn’t take long for the fight to go back down to the canvas, as Harrison hit a judo throw on Guardado.

The second round was much of the same, but this time, the finish would come. Harrison took down Guardado, mounted her, set up the armbar, and then got the tap. The official stoppage came at the 4:00 mark of Round 2.

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The win against Guardado marks Harrison’s last fight on her contract with PFL. She plans on testing free agency and has given no inclination whether she plans to re-sign with PFL or go elsewhere.

Harrison made her transition to MMA in the summer of 2018. She’s been undefeated since, winning two PFL seasons and compiling 11 wins with nine finishes. Harrison won gold medals at 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Full results of 2021 PFL Championship include:

  • Kayla Harrison def. Taylor Guardado via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:00 –women’s lightweight final
  • Ray Cooper III def. Magomed Magomedkerimov via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 3:02 – welterweight final
  • Abigail Montes def. Claressa Shields via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Bruno Cappelozza def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46) – heavyweight final
  • Movlid Khaybulaev def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – featherweight final
  • Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marthin Hamlet via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:49 – light heavyweight final
  • Raush Manfio def. Loik Radzhabov via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)– lightweight final
  • Jordan Young def. Omari Akhmedov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:32
  • Julia Budd def. Kaitlin Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Don Madge def. Nathan Williams via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:15

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Twitter reacts to Kayla Harrison’s dominant $1 million title win at 2021 PFL Championship

Check out the top Twitter reactions to Kayla Harrison’s women’s lightweight title win in the 2021 PFL Championship main event.

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] earned her second consecutive PFL women’s lightweight title on Wednesday when she defeated Taylor Guardado in the 2021 PFL Championship main event.

Harrison (12-0) added another dominant win to her record and another $1 million to her bank account when she closed out the 2021 PFL season with a second-round submission win over Guardado (3-2) at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Resort in Hollywood, Fla.

With the win, Harrison concludes her PFL contract and is poised to enter free agency where PFL, Bellator and UFC are expected to vie for her services.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Harrison’s win over Guardado at 2021 PFL Championship.

2021 PFL Championship results: Abigail Montes hands Claressa Shields first MMA loss

Claressa Shields suffers her first MMA defeat, coming up short in a decision against Abigail Montes at 2021 PFL Championship.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag]’s MMA venture has taken a hit.

The multiple-time boxing champion suffered her first professional defeat, losing a split decision to Mexico’s [autotag]Abigail Montes[/autotag] on the main card of Wednesday’s 2021 PFL Championship event.

The 2021 PFL Championship took place on Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The main card aired on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ with the prelims exclusively on ESPN+.

Montes (3-0) defeated Shields (1-1) by split decision with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 28-29 on the judges’ cards.

It was a fairly uneventful fight that had Montes being the more dominant fighter in the grappling department.

Montes mainly remained on the outside and looked to clinch and take the fight to the ground while avoiding Shields’ boxing. Montes wasn’t able to do much in Round 1, but she was able to have a good amount of success in Rounds 2 and 3.

In the second round, Shields had little offense and was pressed by Montes against the cage. Montes was also able to get the fight to the ground and control the fight there despite not having much of a striking offense.

In the third round, Shields didn’t get much of an offense on her feet. Montes got a takedown and controlled and landed ground-and-pound for half of the round.

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With the result, Montes remained unbeaten. The 21-year-old trains out of Lobo Gym in Guadalajara alongside notable talents such as Irene Aldana, Alexa Grasso, Karina Rodriguez, and Alejandra Lara.

Shields is running professional careers in both boxing and MMA. She’s expected to defend her WBA, WBC, IBF, and The Ring female middleweight titles against Ema Kozin on Dec. 11 in Birmingham, England.

Shields made her jump to MMA back in June. The boxing champion successfully got a start in MMA, defeating Brittney Elkin via third-round TKO at 2021 PFL 4. Shields has been preparing and doing her MMA training at world-renown gym JacksonWink in Albuquerque.

Shields won gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics as well as the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. She also holds gold medals at the World Championships and Pan American games.

The up-to-the-minute 2021 PFL Championship results include:

  • Abigail Montes def. Claressa Shields via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Bruno Cappelozza def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46) – heavyweight final
  • Movlid Khaybulaev def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – featherweight final
  • Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marthin Hamlet via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:49 – light heavyweight final
  • Raush Manfio def. Loik Radzhabov via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 49-46) – lightweight final
  • Jordan Young def. Omari Akhmedov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:32
  • Julia Budd def. Kaitlin Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Don Madge def. Nathan Williams via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:15

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Twitter reacts to Claressa Shields’ first combat sports loss at PFL Championship

Check out the top Twitter reactions to Claressa Shields’ first career combat sports loss against Abigail Montes at PFL Championship.

[autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag]’ sophomore MMA venture did not go according to plan on Wednesday. The boxing world champion suffered his first career loss at 2021 PFL Championship.

Shields (1-1) suffered a split decision loss to Abigail Montes (3-0) in their women’s lightweight bout. She had some moments, but ultimately couldn’t thwart the grappling of her opponent and was edged out on the scorecards.

Although there were improvements shown by Shields from her debut, the end result was her first defeat in any combat sports venture as a professional.

2021 PFL Championship: Bruno Cappelozza out-brawls Ante Delija in wild, back-and-forth affair

The 2021 PFL heavyweight championship was a high-action bout filled with momentum shifts.

It didn’t come easy for him, but [autotag]Bruno Cappelozza[/autotag] walked away $1 million richer from his fight against [autotag]Ante Delija[/autotag] on Wednesday.

In the 2021 PFL heavyweight championship bout, Cappelozza (14-5) defeated Delija (19-5) by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46) in a high-action bout full of momentum swings.

2021 PFL Championship took place Wednesday at Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood, Fla. The main card aired on ESPN2/ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN+.

The opening seconds of the fight set the tone for the mayhem that would transpire. After Cappelozza dropped Delija, he nearly sank in a submission. Somehow Delija survived and scrambled to his feet in the final seconds for a wild, explosive flurry.

In Round 2, both men had their moments with Delija nearly finishing the fight with strikes on the ground. At one point, it appeared Cappelozza may have even gone out but was punched back into consciousness by a heavy hammerfist.

The most frenetic exchange happened when both men threw caution to the wind and traded heavy punches in the pocket. Again, Cappelozza would get on top and land heavy, near-fight-ending ground-and-pound shots. Delija continued to hang tough.

In the championship rounds, the momentum shifts continued but Delija’s dominant moments became fewer and further between. Cappelozza controlled much of the final frame, which led him to the official decision.

Unbeaten in 2021, Cappelozza defeated Delija and Mo DeReese in the PFL regular season before he toppled Jamelle Jones in the opening round of the playoffs. With his win Wednesday, Cappelozza has now won seven of his most recent eight outings.

As for Delija, the loss is only his second since late 2015. Both defeats in that stretch have come against Cappelozza.

The up-to-the-minute 2021 PFL Championship results include:

  • Bruno Cappelozza def. Ante Delija via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 48-46)
  • Movlid Khaybulaev def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – featherweight final
  • Antonio Carlos Junior def. Marthin Hamlet via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:49 – light heavyweight final
  • Raush Manfio def. Loik Radzhabov via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)– lightweight final
  • Jordan Young def. Omari Akhmedov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:32
  • Julia Budd def. Kaitlin Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Don Madge def. Nathan Williams via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:15

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