Tag: 2023 PFL Championships

‘Gold belt mentality’: PFL finalist Josh Silveira explains why title would mean more than $1 million

A second generation fighter, PFL finalist Josh Silveira was born with a martial artist’s mentality that he still carries today.

Money is cool, but [autotag]Josh Silveira[/autotag] is looking for something a bit more meaningful to his sense of martial arts accomplishment.

For the second straight year, Silveira (12-1 MMA, 5-1 PFL) is on the verge of a $1 million prize. He faces former UFC fighter [autotag]Impa Kasanganay[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 4-0 PFL) in a light heavyweight final at 2023 PFL Championship. The event takes place Nov. 24 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., and streams on ESPN+.

“I would say the belt (means more than money),” Silveira recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “The belt drives me the most. Being champion, having that title, being part of a good organization and really cementing my name. The sport is growing. I think I have a good personality. I think I fight well. I think the money is going to come in all shapes and sizes.

“But I think the gold belt, especially for my father, and (it’ll) place a good stepping stone, a key moment into my great career. This is just the beginning. I think the gold belt for sure is the type of mentality you should have. The money is going to come and go but we really want to cement ourselves in that championship category, for sure.”

Perhaps Silveira’s preference for pride over dollars was handed down to him by his father, Conan, a former UFC fighter and longtime American Top Team coach. Silveira is a second-generation fighter. He’s been around an MMA gym for as long as he can remember.

“I think the PFL season format can kind of be tough,” Silveira said. “You need good coaching to understand that, ‘Hey, we’re going for our fourth fight. You’re more than ready. We’ve just got to sharpen up these little tools, do a couple of adjustments, get you ready for two more rounds, and that’s it.’ To be honest, the work feels good. The work feels done already. I feel like I’ve just been fighting all year long. It’s no problem with that. I feel great. My dad is just a guy who does a couple of adjustments, sometimes when he sees me getting too antsy. It is for a world championship fight. His goal is to keep me calm and collected and let’s go really cap this thing off and win this thing.”

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

Kayla Harrison unfazed by opponent switch for 2023 PFL Championship: ‘Any time, any place, anywhere, anyone’

Kayla Harrison is excited to return regardless of her opponent.

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] is excited to return regardless of her opponent.

Harrison (15-1 MMA, 14-1 PFL) was originally scheduled to face Julia Budd at 2023 PFL Championship on Nov. 24 at The Anthem in Washington, but will now face former UFC fighter Aspen Ladd (11-4 MMA, 2-1 PFL) instead. Budd was removed from the bout after she “refused to fulfill her contractual obligation.”

The opponent switch comes just over two weeks away from her fight, but two-time Olympic gold medalist Harrison isn’t too concerned with who she fights.

“It don’t matter: Any time, any place, anywhere, anyone,” Harrison told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’m in the zone. I just don’t care.”

Ladd holds a recent win over former Bellator champion Budd. Harrison, who look to rebound from her first-career loss to Larissa Pacheco in November 2022, sees Ladd and Budd as two completely different styles.

“It’s just a really different matchup,” Harrison said. “You look at stylistically, Julia Budd is much different. They have two different styles Julia, and Aspen. Julia is a former champ, Aspen was kind of a rising star. Julia is a little bit older, maybe on her way out. Aspen’s trying to build up and make a name and a future for herself. One’s a grappler, and one’s a striker. They’re just super different.”

While Harrison has enjoyed the time off with her family, she’s hungry to return.

“I’m super grateful to have a fight because at the end of the day, it’s what I love to do,” Harrison said. “It’s what makes me tick. It’s the burning desire I have in my heart. All is well and it’s good. Life is good.”

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

Clay Collard calls Nate Diaz’s boxing ‘dog sh*t,’ would love to enter ring again if money is right

Clay Collard would love to box Nate Diaz.

[autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag] would love to box [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag].

Collard has boxed 18 times as a professional, amassing a 9-6-3 record. He hasn’t entered the ring since December 2021 but would be open to it with the right opportunity. Collard ripped Diaz for his performance against Jake Paul, where the Stockton superstar lost a unanimous decision this past August in what was his boxing debut. Collard is open to boxing Diaz, then meeting him in the cage.

“If the money is right, I would love to box again,” Collard told MMA Junkie Radio. “I’ve been talking a little bit of sh*t on Jake Paul on Twitter and stuff like that hoping to beat him up. Nate Diaz’s boxing looked like dog sh*t in my opinion. So yeah, I’d like to box. I like boxing. I’m good at boxing. … F*ck Nate Diaz.

“He might have a little bit bigger name than me, but his boxing is f*cking dog sh*t. So I’ll fight him in boxing, turn around and fight in the smart cage. I’ll get to put on a little weight. He’s a little bit bigger than me, so I’ll lift a little bit, get to eat going on the scale, but yeah, I would love that. Line it up. I’m hoping to tell enough people they start talking enough they’ll just do it.”

First Collard (24-10-1) will look to win his first $1 million lightweight title when he meets Olivier Aubin-Mercier (20-5) at 2023 PFL Championship on Nov. 24 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. The event streams live on ESPN+ PPV.

Collard is coming off a barnburner against ex-UFC fighter Shane Burgos and dubbed himself as the most exciting fighter in the PFL.

“I’m for sure the most exciting fighter in the PFL,” Collard said. “I think that’s a given. I think I’m one of the most exciting fighters in the world, so it’s something I am proud of.”

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

With Julia Budd out, Kayla Harrison vs. Aspen Ladd booked for 2023 PFL Championship

Kayla Harrison vs. Aspen Ladd is set for 2023 PFL Championship in November.

(Editor’s Note: This report was revised at 5:35 p.m. ET to include information from an official press release from PFL.)

[autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] will return to action at 2023 PFL Championship in November, but not against her originally scheduled opponent.

Harrison (15-1 MMA, 14-1 PFL) was set to face Julia Budd at the final PFL event of 2023 on Nov. 24 at The Anthem in Washington. According to a press release from PFL, Budd (17-6 MMA, 2-3 PFL) was removed from the bout after she “refused to fulfill her contractual obligation.”

Luckily for Harrison, she will get to keep her planned fight date as UFC veteran [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] has stepped up on short notice. The new matchup will be a catchweight bout at 150 pounds, according to the press release. Prior to the official statement from PFL, three people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news with MMA Junkie. One person told MMA Junkie that contracts were issued.

Ladd (11-4 MMA, 2-1 PFL) was one of the PFL’s biggest additions in 2022. She debuted with the promotion last year, where she won a split decision over Budd at 2022 PFL Championship. In 2023, Ladd dropped a majority decision against Olena Kolesnyk, but rebounded nicely with a second-round armbar submission against Karolina Sobek. She now will fill in to face one of the toughest tests the PFL has to offer.

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Two-time Olympic gold medalist Harrison will be competing for the first time since suffering the first setback of her pro MMA career. At 2022 PFL Championship, she lost a unanimous decision to Larissa Pacheco in their third meeting. The 2021 PFL lightweight champion is expected to be featured as a part of PFL’s pay-per-view model in 2024.

With the change, the current 2023 PFL Championships lineup includes:

  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Clay Collard – for lightweight championship
  • Renan Ferreira vs. Denis Goltsov – for heavyweight championship
  • Larissa Pacheco vs. Marina Mokhnatkina – for women’s featherweight championship
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Sadibou Sy – for welterweight championship
  • Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira – for light heavyweight championship
  • Kayla Harrison vs. Aspen Ladd
  • Derek Brunson vs. Ray Cooper III
  • Gabriel Braga vs. Jesus Pinedo
  • Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Joel Galarza Lopez – amateur bout
  • Bubba Jenkins vs. Chris Wade
  • Phil Caracappa vs. Khai Wu
  • Josh Blyden vs. Jesse Stirn

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

Olivier Aubin-Mercier contemplating retirement after 2023 PFL Championship

Olivier Aubin-Mercier could be making the walk for the final time at 2023 PFL Championship.

[autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] could be making the walk for the final time at the 2023 PFL Championship.

Aubin-Mercier (20-5) will look to claim his second straight $1 million lightweight season win when he meets Clay Collard (24-10-1) on Nov. 24 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. The event streams live on ESPN+ PPV.

Aubin-Mercier almost didn’t take part in the 2023 season due to the hectic nature of the format. When asked if he’d rather just compete in superfights, “The Canadian Gangster” hinted he may be nearing the end.

“(I think I’m tired of) fighting in general,” Aubin-Mercier told MMA Junkie Radio. “I love PFL, I love the format of PFL, but to fight eight times in two years is a lot, and it’s really demanding. At least, I need some vacation. I’ve never been as good as right now, and maybe it’s one of the reasons why I feel a little bit bad going away, but I need at least year (off).

“I don’t know if in a year if the motivation is going to be there and if I’m going to be as good as right now. If I don’t feel I’m the best version of myself, I won’t bother coming back. So let’s wait a little bit and let’s see what PFL says. I would like to fight in Montreal, that’s for sure, and I think that could be the only reason why I would maybe think to fight one more time.”

While Aubin-Mercier didn’t 100 percent make up his mind on his fighting future, the odds are currently swaying more towards him hanging up his gloves.

“I think there’s more of a chance that I’m done after this fight than I’m not done,” Aubin-Mercier said.

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

Sadibou Sy not surprised with Sean Strickland’s ascent to UFC champion: ‘We just help each other grow’

Sadibou Sy expected Sean Strickland to win the UFC middleweight title.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] expected [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] to win the UFC middleweight title.

Strickland pulled a stunning upset when he dethroned Israel Adesanya to become middleweight champion at UFC 293. A main training partner of 2022 PFL welterweight champion Sy, both men have been instrumental in each other’s training camps.

So, Sy knew just how good Strickland (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) is.

“I’ve said it so many times: There was nothing with that performance from Sean that was surprising for me,” Sy told reporters during a media scrum at Xtreme Couture. “I’m so happy for him, so proud of him, and he’s one of my main training partners. He was actually my last round now before coming here. We just help each other grow. I’m looking forward to keep growing with him.”

Sy (16-6-2 MMA, 10-4-2 PFL) will look to avenge his 2021 semifinals loss to Magomed Magomedkerimov when the pair rematch in their welterweight final at the 2023 PFL Championships on Nov. 23, which takes place at The Anthem in Washington D.C. and streams live on ESPN+ PPV.

Sy’s road to the finals includes two highlight reel finishes – shutting down Jarrah Al-Silawi with a nasty knee to the body and a walkoff wheel kick of Shane Mitchell. He punched his ticket against Magomedkerimov with a split decision win over Carlos Leal.

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

After 2022 struggles, Marina Mokhnatkina confident she’ll win title at 2023 PFL Championships

Marina Mokhnatkina feels rejuvenated for this season.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Marina Mokhnatkina[/autotag] feels rejuvenated for this season.

Mokhnatkina (11-3 MMA, 5-1 PFL) split her two appearances in the 2022 PFL season, with her loss coming to formerly unbeaten Kayla Harrison by unanimous decision.

She managed to rack up three wins over Yoko Higashi, Evelyn Martins, and an armbar finish of Amber Leibrock to secure her spot vs. 2022 PFL champion Larissa Pacheco in the 2023 PFL Championships on Nov. 23, which takes place at The Anthem in Washington D.C. and streams live on ESPN+ PPV.

“(Pacheco is) a tough opponent, and I improve always,” Mokhnatkina told reporters through an interpreter during a media scrum at Xtreme Couture. “It will be a good fight – two dangerous girls.”

Pacheco pulled off arguably the biggest MMA upset of the year when she defeated Harrison in the 2022 PFL Championships to claim the lightweight title and $1 million.

Pacheco’s 2023 PFL campaign includes three wins and two straight finishes in less than a minute, but Mokhnatkina is ready to pull off a big upset herself.

“Last season, I had some problems,” Mokhnatkina said. “I didn’t have good training camps. I had problems, and I didn’t show what I can (do). This season, I see I can become champion and I can take this belt.”

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

Sadibou Sy wants to prove he can outgrapple Magomed Magomedkerimov at 2023 PFL Championships

Sadibou Sy rematches Magomed Magomedkerimov at 2023 PFL Championships, and is willing to prove he can take the fight anywhere.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] is one of the most dangerous strikers on the entire PFL roster, but has plans on showing off more areas of his game in an upcoming championship bout.

Looking to make it back-to-back welterweight title wins, Sy (16-6-2 MMA, 10-4-2 PFL) meets Magomed Magomedkerimov for the second time at the 2023 PFL Championships on Nov. 23. During the regular season, Sy added two impressive highlight clips to his reel during with a nasty knee to the body of Jarrah Al-Silawi and smooth walkoff wheel kick of Shane Mitchell. Magomedkerimov (33-6 MMA, 15-1 PFL) may look to avoid exchanges on the feet, which is something Sy welcomes.

“I hope he will,” Sy told reporters during a media scrum at Xtreme Couture when asked if he thinks Magomedkerimov will look to make the fight a grappling affair. “Because for me, I want to fight him (there) because I want to show myself that not only is he not going to be able to outgrapple or outwrestle me, I’m going to outwrestle him.”

Throughout his PFL journey, Sy has steadily shown improvements in all areas of his game. When he first arrived in the promotion, his takedown defense wasn’t where it needed to be to reach championship fights. Now, he’s one fight away from his second consecutive title thanks to focusing on his evolution as a fighter.

“To be able to work on something, and see improvements and see that it works, that’s why I started this,” Sy explained. “Like I said in the previous question with Magomed, if he’d going to wrestle, I want to be able to see like, OK, how’s my wrestling today compared to two years ago? Those things excite me.”

Magomedkerimov defeated Sy in their first meeting in 2021 by unanimous decision. This time around, Sy is a more complete fighter with elevated confidence who hasn’t lost in the seven fights since. When asked how he plans on getting his hand raised on Nov. 23, Sy laughed as he quipped a fantastic response.

“Oh, the ref is just going to lift it.”

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Muhammad Ali’s grandson Biaggio Ali Walsh may turn pro with win at 2023 PFL Championships

Biaggio Ali Walsh may be the next in the Muhammad Ali lineage to become a pro fighter if successful in his next amateur bout in PFL.

LAS VEGAS – The Muhammad Ali lineage may have another professional fighter soon.

[autotag]Biaggio Ali Walsh[/autotag], a grandson of the iconic boxer, has six amateur MMA fights under his belt and may decide to make the jump to the pro ranks after his next outing in November.

At the 2023 PFL Championships on Nov. 23, Walsh returns to action again to face Joel Galarza Lopez, an undefeated amateur with three wins. If successful, it may be the moment that marks Walsh’s move to becoming the first pro MMA fighter in his fighting family’s lineage, alongside brother Nico Ali Walsh and aunt Laila Ali, who stuck with boxing as professionals.

“God willing, I put this guy to sleep in November, and I’m going to sit down with my coach and see what he thinks is next,” Ali Walsh told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a media scrum at Xtreme Couture. “I like to listen to him, I’m still a baby. He has so much more knowledge than I do. This is not a sport to rush in, but personally, if you were to just ask me individually, I think after this next fight I get the win, God willing, I think I’ll be ready to go pro.”

Walsh was submitted in his amateur debut, but has since ripped through five straight opponents by stoppage, including four first-round finishes. Walsh first competed under the PFL banner in November 2022, where he stopped Tom Graesser in just 45 seconds with a crushing right hand. His upcoming bout against Lopez will be his fifth amateur bout with the promotion that has never rushed his journey to reach the professional ranks.

Check out the full media scrum with Walsh in the video above.

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How Kayla Harrison improved her mental health after first career loss

It’s been a year of growth for two-time PFL season winner and Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison.

COCONUT CREEK, Fla. – It’s been a year of growth for [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag].

Harrison (15-1) suffered her first career loss to Larissa Pacheco by unanimous decision this past November at the 2022 PFL Championships.

The time off taught the 2021 PFL lightweight champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka that there’s more to life than fighting. Faith is a big part of Harrison’s life that has helped her pull through.

“When you get quiet, and you just sit down, you get still, and you spend time with your spirit, with your soul, with God, it changes your day,” Harrison told MMA Junkie at a recent PFL media day. “You don’t just wake up and you’re like this Mary Poppins jolly human being. But slowly over time, you start to build those days.”

Harrison will look to rebound when she meets Julia Budd (17-6) in a non-tournament, 145-pound bout Nov. 24 at 2023 PFL Championships, which takes place at The Anthem in Washington D.C. and streams live on ESPN+ PPV.

Harrison has always been obsessed with winning, but has capitalized on this time to grow outside of the cage.

“(I’m) taking care of my mind, my body, taking care of my soul,” Harrison said. “And it sounds silly, but now I kind of do things for fun. I didn’t do that before. I didn’t water plants, or go have a girls night. Occasionally I would, but most of the time I was so hyper focused on being this perfect human being, being a perfect mom, coaching my kids’ soccer, taking them to every event, making sure every meal is nutritious, making sure I’m the best fighter I can possibly be.

“So focused on being perfect … I have all this money, and I was just sitting there being a robot. I started talking to God and I started having some fun. It really changed my mental health. It’s not rocket science – anybody can do this. Anybody can get a gratitude journal. Anybody can wake up and write three things they’re grateful for everyday.”

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