[autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] secured his spot in the 2021 PFL playoffs, while sending [autotag]Anthony Pettis[/autotag] home.
Pettis (24-12) dropped his PFL debut against Clay Collard by unanimous decision at 2021 PFL 1 in April, putting one of the biggest newcomers to the promotion in jeopardy to earn a spot in the playoffs. Manfio (13-3) won a split decision over Joilton Lutterbach that same evening, earning three points in the lightweight standings.
In order to guarantee a spot in the playoffs, Pettis needed to finish Manfio, although a decision win would have kept his hopes alive. Unfortunately for him, Manfio did not allow either to take place, leaving the former UFC champion with zero points.
2021 PFL 6 took place at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card aired on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.
Let's Gooooooo! #2021PFL6
🇺🇸 ESPN2
🌎 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/5Y8LLvmPpi— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 26, 2021
Pettis displayed sharp striking early in the first round. Manfio was content to stay patient and find a read on his opponent’s movements before letting his hands go, as he landed a nice counter combination. Pettis continued to circle on the outside while darting in to land quick punches as Manfio tried to land counter strikes.
Both men came out quickly in the second round as they traded strikes. A low blow caught Pettis prompting a brief pause in the action for recovery. When the action resumed, Pettis began focusing on landing leg kicks while Manfio maintained the center of the cage. Pettis began landing punches upstairs as well, but Manfio answered with a few counters of his own.
Another low blow landed on Pettis after a front kick, causing another brief pause. The action resumed with a couple of exchanges before the round ended.
The third round began similar to the second with both men landing strikes, but Manfio landed a clean combination on Pettis which clearly hurt him, leading to the biggest moment of the fight.
Manfio caused Pettis to fall to the canvas briefly, and just as he returned to his feet, Manfio landed a hard knee that sent him back down.
Manfio drops Pettis TWICE! Raush may have just swung the bout in his favor!#2021PFL6
🇺🇸 ESPN2
🌎 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/9m34IRuphl— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 26, 2021
Manfio searched for the finish, but Pettis was able to survive the moment. The remainder of the round was spent with Pettis circling on the outside until heated exchanges before the round expired.
The judges were split in their decision, with two turning in scores of 29-28 in favor of Manfio, while the dissenting judges scored the bout 29-28 in favor of Pettis.
.@RaushManfio gets the W and is going to the #PFLPlayoffs!#2021PFL6 pic.twitter.com/FIyRJSEfmz
— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 26, 2021
Manfio advances to the lightweight playoffs with the split decision victory, while Pettis’ 2021 season ends without recording any points in the standings.
Up-to-the-minute results of 2021 PFL 6 are below:
- Raush Manfio def. Anthony Pettis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Movlid Khaybulaev def. Lance Palmer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Denis Goltsov def. Brandon Sayles via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:24
- Bruno Cappelozza def. Muhammed DeReese via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:21
- Larissa Pacheco def. Helena Kolesnyk via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 4:48
- Ante Delija def. Chandler Cole via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:39
- Genah Fabian def. Julija Pajic via TKO (Punches) – Round 2, 4:16
- Renan Ferreira def. Carl Seumanutafa via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Taylor Guardado def. Laura Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Mariana Morais def. Kaitlin Young via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
- Jamelle Jones def. Klidson Abreu via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:43
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