Tag: Alexander Martinez

2023 PFL 3 predictions: Two unanimous picks from welterweight, lightweight openers

Check out our staff members’ picks for 2023 PFL 3 in Las Vegas, which features season-opening fights at welterweight and lightweight.

Sy
vs.
Al-Silawi		 Egli
vs.
Magomedkerimov		 Ray
vs.
Schulte		 Manfio
vs.
Martinez		 Lopez
vs.
Mitchell		 Amir
vs.
Miranda		 Jenkins
vs.
Juusola
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
45-33		 sy2023
Sy
(69%)		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov
(95%)		 schulte2023
Schulte
(72%)		 manfio2023
Manfio
(88%)		 lopez2023
Lopez
(72%)		 miranda2023
Miranda
(76%)		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
(82%)
Nolan King
@mma_kings
48-30		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Matt Erickson
@MattE
48-30		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
48-30		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 juusola2023
Juusola
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
47-31		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 ray2023
Ray		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
45-33		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 mitchell2023
Mitchell		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
44-34		 alsilawi2023
Al-Silawi		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 amir2023
Amir		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
44-34
trophy copy 2018, 2022 Champion		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 ray2023
Ray		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
44-34		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 ray2023
Ray		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
43-35
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
43-35
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 ray2023
Ray		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
41-37		 sy2023
Sy		 magomedkerimov2023
Magomedkerimov		 schulte2023
Schulte		 manfio2023
Manfio		 lopez2023
Lopez		 miranda2023
Miranda		 jenkins2023
Jenkins

The PFL wraps up its Las Vegas three-event residency this week with the start of the lightweight and welterweight regular seasons.

PFL 2023, Week 3 takes place Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas. The main card airs on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

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In the main event, 2022 welterweight season winner [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] (13-6-2) takes on former Brave CF champion [autotag]Jarrah Al-Silawi[/autotag] (18-4). Sy is nearly a 2-1 favorite at the betting window, and our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers have him as a near-unanimous pick at 10-1.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] (30-6) is by far the biggest favorite on the card at more than 12-1 in his welterweight bout against [autotag]Ben Egli[/autotag] (14-4). Not surprisingly, Magomedkerimov is one of two unanimous picks on the main card.

Also on the main card, two-time (2018, 2019) lightweight season winner [autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag] (23-5-1) is back to take on [autotag]Stevie Ray[/autotag] (25-11). Schulte is a 4-1 betting favorite, but Ray has a pocket of support that leaves Schulte with just a 7-4 picks lead.

[autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] (16-4), the 2021 lightweight winner, takes on [autotag]Alexander Martinez[/autotag] (10-3) to open his 2023 regular season. Even though Martinez is the slight -150 favorite at the betting window, Manfio is our staff members’ other unanimous pick a 11-0.

[autotag]Shane Mitchell[/autotag] (13-4) takes on the unbeaten [autotag]Nayib Lopez[/autotag] (15-0) at welterweight. Lopez is a -250 favorite and is a near-unanimous pick at 10-1. And -150 lightweight favorite Bruno Miranda (14-3) is a 10-1 pick over Ahmed Amir (12-3-1).

To open the main card, [autotag]Brandon Jenkins[/autotag] (16-9) is a slight favorite at welterweight against [autotag]Zach Juusola[/autotag] (13-9), and he’s got a big 10-1 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Sy (69 percent), Magomedkerimov (95 percent), Schulte (72 percent), Manfio (88 percent), Lopez (72 percent), Miranda (76 percent) and Jenkins (82 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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

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Clay Collard, Raush Manfio, more booked to complete 2023 PFL 3 card

The lineup for the third PFL event of this season is now complete.

The lineup for the third PFL event of this season is now complete.

The promotion announced on Monday the full lineup for 2023 PFL 3, which is set to go down April 14 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

These newly announced fights, which include fan favorites and two former champions, join the previously announced matchups that make up the main and co-main event in Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Shane Burgos and Sadibou Sy vs. Jarrah Al-Silawi.

2019 PFL lightweight champion [autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag] takes on former UFC veteran and 2022 PFL runner-up [autotag]Stevie Ray[/autotag] in a matchup at 155 pounds. Schulte is on a two-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory being a submission over Jeremy Stephens this past November. Ray also competed in November, where he lost to Aubin-Mercier in the 2022 PFL lightweight final.

The other former champion added to the card is [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag], who won the 2021 PFL lightweight season. He’ll be taking on [autotag]Alexander Martinez[/autotag]. Manfio last fought in June, also losing to Aubin-Mercier – a result that snapped a five-fight winning streak.

Additionally, [autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag], one of PFL’s most exciting fighters, will take on [autotag]Yamato Nishikawa[/autotag] to close out the preliminary card.

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Below is the full lineup for 2023 PFL 3:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 9 p.m, ET)

  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Shane Burgos
  • Sadibou Sy vs. Jarrah Al-Silawi
  • Natan Schulte vs. Stevie Ray
  • Raush Manfio vs. Alexander Martinez
  • Shane Mitchell vs. TBA
  • Abdelaziz Abdulvakhabov vs. Ahmed Ami

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN2, ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Clay Collard vs. Yamato Nishikawa
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Don Madge
  • Carlos Leal vs. David Zawada
  • Magomed Umalatov vs. Dilano Taylor

2022 PFL Playoffs 1: Best photos from New York

Check out these photos from 2022 PFL Playoffs 1 at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Check out these photos from the fights at 2022 PFL Playoffs 1 which took place at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photos courtesy of Cooper Neill, PFL MMA)

2022 PFL Playoffs 1 predictions: Can Stevie Ray upset Anthony Pettis again?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the PFL Playoffs 1 card in New York, featuring lightweight and light heavyweight semifinal fights.

Pettis
vs.
Ray		 Akhmeddov
vs.
Silveira		 Aubin-Mercier
vs.
Martinez		 Wilkinson
vs.
Monte
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
127-74		 pettis2022
Pettis
(60%)		 silveira2022
Silveira
(59%)		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier
(88%)		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
(74%)
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
136-70
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 ray2022
Ray		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
132-74
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 pettis2022
Pettis		 silveira2022
Silveira		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
132-74		 ray2022
Ray		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
128-78		 pettis2022
Pettis		 silveira2022
Silveira		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
127-79		 pettis2022
Pettis		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
126-80		 pettis2022
Pettis		 silveira2022
Silveira		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
125-81		 pettis2022
Pettis		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Nolan King
@mma_kings
123-83		 ray2022
Ray		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 martinez2022
Martinez		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
121-85
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 pettis2022
Pettis		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
114-92		 pettis2022
Pettis		 silveira2022
Silveira		 martinez2022
Martinez		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
101-105		 pettis2022
Pettis		 akhmedov2022
Akhmedov		 aubinmercier2022
Aubin-Mercier		 wilkinson2022
Wilkinson

The PFL returns this week for the first of three sets of playoff semifinals, starting with lightweights and light heavyweights.

The 2022 PFL Playoffs 1 event takes place Friday at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York. The main card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN+ and ahead of post-lim qualifiers on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, No. 1 lightweight seed [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (25-13) takes on [autotag]Stevie Ray[/autotag] (24-10) in a rematch from the regular season. Ray upset Pettis in their first meeting with a second-round submmission. The fight nearly is a pick’em. Pettis is -115 at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Ray is -110. Our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers largely are siding with Pettis to move on to the final. They have him with a big 8-3 picks lead.

At light heavyweight, No. 2 [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] (23-7-1) meets late replacement [autotag]Josh Silveira[/autotag] (9-0). Silveira was an alternate and not in the playoffs until Antonio Carlos Jr. pulled out. Silveira is a -220 favorite, but it’s Akhmedov with a 7-4 lead in the picks from our staff members.

In the other lightweight semifinal, [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] (15-5) is a -240 favorite against [autotag]Alexander Martinez[/autotag] (10-2) and he has a big 9-2 picks advantage.

And to open the main card, our only unanimous pick is in the other light heavyweight semifinal. [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag] (15-2) is this week’s biggest playoff favorite at -340 against [autotag]Delan Monte[/autotag] (9-2), and he’s got an 11-0 picks shutout.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Pettis (60 percent), Silveira (59 percent), Aubin-Mercier (88 percent) and Wilkinson (74 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2022 PFL Playoffs 1.

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Anthony Pettis vs. Stevie Ray rematch headlines PFL’s playoff-opening card in New York

The lineup is set for the PFL’s first set of playoff fights next month in New York.

The lineup is set for the PFL’s first set of playoff fights next month in New York.

[autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] (25-13) remained the top lightweight seed despite an upset loss to [autotag]Stevie Ray[/autotag] (24-10) two weeks ago. Ray’s win made him the No. 4 seed – which set up a rematch with Pettis in the four-man playoff field.

On the other side of the lightweight playoff bracket, No. 2 seed [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] (15-5) takes on No. 3 [autotag]Alexander Martinez[/autotag] (10-2). The winners of those two fights will meet in the $1 million lightweight season final in October.

In the light heavyweight playoffs, there’s been a significant shakeup. No. 3 seed [autotag]Antonio Carlos Jr.[/autotag] (15-5) is out of his fight against American Top Team teammate and No. 2 seed [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag] (23-7-1), the PFL announced Friday. Stepping in for Junior is another one of Akhmedov’s teammates at American Top Team, [autotag]Josh Silveira[/autotag] (9-0), who finished the regular season in fifth place and was an alternate.

Top light heavyweight seed [autotag]Rob Wilkinson[/autotag] (15-2) will take on No. 4 [autotag]Delan Monte[/autotag] (9-2) on the other half of the bracket.

The PFL’s first set of playoff fights take place Aug. 5 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The four-fight main card of playoff matchups airs on ESPN. A two-fight set of prelims and four fights after the main card stream on ESPN+.

The playoffs continue later in August with welterweights and heavyweights on tap Aug. 13 in Cardiff, Wales, and women’s lightweights and featherweights set for Aug. 20 in London.

The PFL 2022 Playoffs 1 card includes:

POSTLIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)

  • [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Cory Hendricks[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Adam Keresh[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marcelo Nunes[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Ricardo Jimenez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Brahyan Zurcher[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Elvin Espinosa[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Corey Jackson[/autotag]

MAIN CARD (ESPN)

  • No. 1 Anthony Pettis vs. No. 4 Stevie Ray – lightweight semifinal
  • No. 2 Omari Akhmedov vs. No. 5 Josh Silveira – light heavyweight semifinal
  • No. 2 Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. N. 3 Alexander Martinez – lightweight semifinal
  • No. 1 Robert Wilkinson vs. No. 4 Delan Monte – light heavyweight semifinal

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+)

  • [autotag]Elvis Lebron[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Alexei Pergande[/autotag]
  • [autotag]Lucas Barbosa[/autotag] vs. TBA

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2022 PFL 4 results: Alexander Martinez squeaks by in brawl vs. Clay Collard

The fans weren’t happy about it, but Alexander Martinez did enough to get two judges onboard.

[autotag]Alexander Martinez[/autotag] was in a hard fought war Friday in Atlanta.

Although his midsection is certainly feeling it, Martinez (10-2) squeaked out a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over former UFC fighter [autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag] (21-10) in the 2022 PFL 4 main event at Overtime Elite Arena. The win earned him three points in the standings and clinched him a slot in the 2022 PFL playoffs.

The first round was frenetic with Collard the aggressor as he targeted Martinez’s body with punches. On multiple occasions, Martinez winced in pain but he stood tough and didn’t falter. Both men had time on top on the ground and really appeared to have fun despite the punches ate. Collard’s leg kicks were telegraphed but successful – big windups for each as he ran in.

Round 2 was more of the same, though Martinez found success with his jab early. As the round approached the midway point, Collard dropped Martinez with a punch. Martinez crashed backward onto the canvas, but successfully defended Collard’s follow-up shot attempts. Eventually Collard scrambled onto Martinez’s back and attempted an armbar. Martinez escaped and denied multiple rolling switch attempts by Collard. The turn tables turned. Martinez snatched Collard’s back and locked in a rear-naked choke – or not. Somehow a straining Collard survived – and even stuck his tongue out in celebration. The horn sounded with Martinez on top.

Potentially anyone’s fight going into the final round, wall-and-stall occurred for the first time in the bout, even for if just a moment. When Martinez pulled a guillotine choke, Collard broke out and stood up. Collard returned to the body shot and hurt Martinez again. He desperately shot for takedowns, and nearly got one. He shoved Collard against the fence. Collard used a kimura and some punches to create space but Martinez ducked under and got a sloppy takedown. The fight ended with Martinez in Collard’s guard.

With the win, Martinez turns a standalone win over Stevie Ray in April into a two-fight winning streak. He moves to 3-2 overall in PFL, with 2022 being his second season with the promotion.

As for Collard, he remains a fan-favorite despite two losses in his most recent three fights. Collard is also 3-2 overall in PFL. He holds victories over Jeremy Stephens, Joilton Lutterbach, and Anthony Pettis.

  • Alexander Martinez def. Clay Collard via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Antonio Carlos Junior def. Bruce Souto via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Raush Manfio via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Jeremy Stephens def. Myles Price via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Omari Akhmedov def. Teodoras Aukstuolis via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 2:50
  • Natan Schulte def. Marcin Held via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Delan Monte def. Emiliano Sordi via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:32
  • Robert Wilkinson def. Viktor Pesta via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:03
  • Josh Silveira def. Marthin Hamlet via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:27
  • Nate Jennerman def. Jake Childers via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:00 – showcase bout

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2022 PFL 4 matchups announced: Clay Collard vs. Alexander Martinez headlines June 17 event

The next matchups for PFL’s lightweights and light heavyweights have been announced.

The next matchups for PFL’s lightweights and light heavyweights are set.

[autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag] (21-9-1) vs. [autotag]Alexander Martinez[/autotag] (9-2) will headline 2022 PFL 4 on June 17 at OTE Arena in Atlanta, promotion officials announced Wednesday. In the co-main event, reigning light heavyweight champion [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] (14-5-2) meets 2022 PFL Challenger Series winner [autotag]Bruce Souto[/autotag] (15-4).

Rounding up the main card is 2021 lightweight season winner [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] (16-3), who takes on ex-UFC fighter [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] (14-5). Finally, [autotag]Jeremy Stephens[/autotag] (28-20-1) will look to rebound from his debut loss to Collard when he faces [autotag]Myles Price[/autotag] (11-8), who was defeated by Anthony Pettis at PFL 3.

PFL 4 airs Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+ with continued action at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+. The remaining regular season events will take place the following weeks on June 24 and July 1.

The announced 2022 PFL 4 lineup:

  • Clay Collard vs. Alexander Martinez
  • Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Bruce Souto
  • Raush Manfio vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier
  • Myles Price vs. Jeremy Stephens
  • Omari Akhmedov vs. Teodoras Aukstuolis
  • Marcin Held vs. Natan Schulte
  • Delan Monte vs. Emiliano Sordi
  • Viktor Pesta vs. Robert Wilkinson
  • Marthin Hamlet vs. Josh Silveira

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