Tag: Asael Adjoudj

2024 PFL Championship live and official results

The 2024 PFL Championship event takes place Friday with six $1 million title winners set to be crowned.

The 2024 PFL Championship event took place Friday, and MMA Junkie provided live and official results throughout the event.

The card took place at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The entire event streamed on ESPN+.

Six divisions crowned 2024 season winners, each of whom received $1 million to go with their title. The event also featured four MENA championship bouts.

Check out full 2024 PFL Championship results, fight information, highlights and more below.

2024 PFL Championship Main Card Results

  • Timur Khizriev def. Brendan Loughane via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) – for featherweight title
  • Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:41 – for women’s flyweight title
  • Dovlet Yagshimuradov def. Impa Kasanganay via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:58 – for light heavyweight title
  • Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:44 – for welterweight title
  • Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:31 – for lightweight title
  • Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:55 – for heavyweight title

Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev

Round 1 – Khizriev comes out pressuring with punches. Loughnane is sharp defensively as he circles and hunts for his own openings. Khizriev remains aggressive early, offering a variety of punches and kicks. Loughnane lands a nice push kick to the face. Khizriev responds a moment later with a spinning back kick. Loughnane attempts a wheel kick, but comes up with air, allowing Khizriev an opening to shoot for the takedown. Working from the top, Khizriev lands ground and pound while focusing on maintaining the position. Loughnane nearly scrambled to his feet, but was returned to the canvas. Khizriev lands more punches and elbows from the top.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Khizriev.

Round 2 – Khizriev comes out firing punches as he sets the tone from the center. A sharp kick to the body lands. Khizriev digs with a nasty uppercut to the body that appears to hurt Loughnane and tests his poker face. Khizriev kicks to the leg and punches upstairs. Loughnane is bleeding on his nose as Khizriev continues to go first and land strikes. Loughnane is really busted up now, but he’s firing back. Khizriev keeps with the forward pressure, but Loughnane finds a solid counter punch and clips Khizriev, who drops to a knee. Khizriev pops right back up and continues to offer punches.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Khizriev.

Round 3 – Khizriev remains aggressive with punches and shoots in for a takedown. He attempts to drag Loughnane to the ground from the back, and Loughnane gets away with a fence grab. Khizriev makes him pay with a knee to the head. Loughnane gets away and they’re back to striking range in the center of the cage. Khizriev sticks and moves with punches and kicks as Loughnane appears to be working on a damaged rear leg. Another spinning kick attempt from Loughnane results in a takedown. In full guard, Khizriev stays heavy and lands a few short punches. Loughnane works up to his feet and they return to the center. Khizriev looks to land a few more strikes before the round ends.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Khizriev.

Round 4 – Khizriev works behind a left jab, and connects with a strong combination. He then shoots in for a well-timed takedown, returning the fight to the ground. Loughnane attemtps to stand, and spins away. Khizriev continues to lead the dance with punches and leg kicks. Loughnane doesn’t offer much offense as he circles on the outside. Khizriev slows his output as well, but still finds home for punches. Loughnane finds a home for a left, and then a combination not too far behind it.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Khizriev.

Round 5 – Khizriev, controlling from the center, fires punches as he works behind a left hand. A sharp right hand connects and an uppercut behind it. Loughnane looks for a punch but eats a counter jumping knee to the body. Loughnane waves Khizriev on. Loughnane starts putting together a few nice quick punches, but Khizriev gets a takedown. Loughnane works back to his feet and gets free with 90 seconds to go. Khizriev keeps the pressure on and looks for another takedown, but can’t get this one. Loughnane offers a few leg kicks, but punches from Khizriev score until the final horn.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Khizriev, giving him the fight 50-45.

Result: Timur Khizriev def. Brendan Loughane via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46)
Recap: 2024 PFL Championship: Timur Khizriev dominates Brendan Loughnane to win featherweight title
Photos: Timur Khizriev def. Brendan Loughnane at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos
Records: Loughnane (30-6), Khizriev (18-0)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos

Round 1 – They come out studying the distance and trade leg kicks. Ditcheva keeps with the kicking approach, inside and outside. A sharp combination of punches gets through for Ditcheva. Santos grabs a hold for a takedown, and the wrestling game is onalong the fence. Ditcheva reverses and gets the takedown, but opts to back away and bring the fight back to the feet. Santos doesn’t waste much time getting back in for another clinch. Ditcheva gets away, and lands a left hand. Another inside leg kick from Ditcheva. Santos charges forward, but Ditcheva circles away. Ditcheva front kicks to the face. A flurry of punches land for Ditcheva! Santos covers up and backs into the fence. Ditcheva adds a short elbow. Ditcheva punches and adds a knee to the body.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Ditcheva.

Round 2 – A sharp left hand from Ditcheva connects early. Santos sttampts to charge forward with strikes as Ditcheva circles. Santos keeps the pressure high and eventually gets a hold of Ditcheva against the cage. Ditcheva spins out from the hold. Ditcheva kicks to the legs. Santos responds with a nice punch. Ditcheva punches to the body. A moment later, a front kick to the body pushes Santos back. Another hard leg kick from Ditcheva. Santos closes in for a clinch, eating a knee to the body in the process. Ditcheva lands a hard elbow on the exit. Ditcheva lands another hard front kick to the face. She’s starting to unload as Santos covers up. Santos changes levels to slow down the pressure. Ditcheva defends, and lands a few hard elbows. The punches continue. Santos folds over from a punch to the body! The referee stops it! What a performance!

Result: Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:41
Recap: 2024 PFL Championship: Dakota Ditcheva stops ex-UFC title challenger Taila Santos to win title, $1 million prize
Photos: Dakota Ditcheva def. Taila Santos at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos
Records: Ditcheva (14-0), Santos (22-4)
Division: Women’s flyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson

Impa Kasanganay vs. Dovlet Yagshimuradov

Round 1 – Yagshimuradov lands a hard leg kick to start. They trade heavy punches a second later. Now they reset and settle down, Kasanganay in the center. Kasanganay darts in with a right hand, but gets clipped with a hard counter. Kasanganay is stunned. Yagshimuradov sees it and capitalizes with more punches. Kasanganay tries to respond, but Yagshimuradov just keeps pouring it on and Kasanganay goes down! The referee dives in before Yagshimuradov can land any more punches. Wow!

Result: Dovlet Yagshimuradov def. Impa Kasanganay via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:58
Recap: 2024 PFL Championship: Dovlet Yagshimuradov trucks Impa Kasanganay in 58 seconds
Photos: Dovlet Yagshimuradov def. Impa Kasanganay at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos
Records: Kasanganay (18-5), Yagshimuradov (25-7-1)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gerd Richter

Magomed Umalatov vs. Shamil Musaev

Round 1 – Both fighters are take their time studying the range and looking for openings. A few boo birds chirp as the action is slow at the start of this one. A couple of single strikes are offered from both, but the boos grow louder and the referee claps for action. Musaev responds by darting forward with a sharp left hand, and puts a combination behind it. They clinch up against the fence. After the separation, they’re back to circling around the cage without much action. One more forward blitz from Musaev.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Musaev.

Round 2 – The crowd gets a clapping chant going to encourage action early in the round. Umalatov pressures forward and shoots for a takedown, but can’t get it. Musaev lands a speedy left jab, and then punches to the body a moment later. Umalatov puts together a nice two-punch combo and shoots straight in for a takedown. He gets Musaev to the mat, but the reversal comes quickly. Musaev controls the back as they stand up. Musaev gets a takedown as Umalatov turns into him. Umalatov gets up to his feet quickly and the wrestling along the fence continues. They separate with less than a minute to go, and trade punches. Musaev looks to change levels but gets denied.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Musaev.

Round 3 – They come out with a calculated pace. Umalatov pressures from the center, but Musaev circles from the fence. Umalatov shoots in for single leg, but can’t get it. They’ve back in the center now. Musaev lands a hard punch. Musaev keep the pressure high and clips Umalatov with a hard left! Umalatov goes down! Musaev follows up for the finish, and there it is!

Result: Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:44
Recap: 2024 PFL Championship: Shamil Musaev bludgeons Magomed Umalatov for $1 million knockout
Photos: Shamil Musaev def. Magomed Umalatov at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos
Records: Umalatov (17-1), Musaev (20-0-1)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Derek Hickey

Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

Round 1 – Rabadanov opens up with leg kicks from the outside. Primus charges in, swinging big hooks. Rabadanov circles away and adds more leg kicks. Another series of punches from Primus, and Rabadanov responds with strikes upstairs. Rabadanov shoots in for the takedown and gets the fight to the ground. Primus stays active from his back, looking to work from mission control in full guard. Rabadanov stays heavy, preventing submission attempts as Primus adds elbows from bottom.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Primus.

Round 2 – Rabadanov comes out with leg kicks as Primus tries to close the distance with punches. A takedown attempts from Rabadanov is stuffed. Primus comes foward, offering a few punches. A fast, sharp combination connects for Rabadanov! The right hand drops Primus! Rabadanov closes in for top position on the ground, but Primus appears recovered, and is back to working from mission control. Rabadanov stands up and kicks Primus who stays on the ground. Rabadanov goes back to the mat in half guard and closes out the round on top after a couple of punches.

MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Rabadanov.

Round 3 – They meet in the center and exchange punches upstairs. Rabadanov drops Primus with a big right hand! Rabadanov stands over Primus and kicks to the legs. He decides to let Primus back up to his feet. Primus is wearing the damage on the left side of his face now. They trade hard punches. Primus gets the better of thatt exchange. Rabadanov resets and comes back in with another combo, landing nicely. Another sharp combo with an uppercut for Rabadanov. Another furious combo by Rabadanov lights up Primus and he’s rocked! Rabadanov pours on the punches as Primus crashes to the ground! It’s over!

Result: Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:31
Recap: 2024 PFL Championship: Gadzhi Rabadanov faceplants Brent Primus’ for $1 million
Photos: Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Brent Primus at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos
Records: Primus (15-4), Rabadanov (24-4-2)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Keith Peterson

Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov

Round 1 – Goltsov quickly gets into striking range and begins firing off a left jab. Popov changes levels and completes an early takedown. Goltsov secures two overhooks, preventing offense from Popov in full guard. Popov works his arms free and offers a couple of punches. Goltsov throws up a triangle choke attempt, and adds the armbar threat. The armbar isn’t there, but Goltsov locks up the triangle tighter. Goltsov signals to the referee that Popov is out! He’s asleep! What a finish!

Result: Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov via submission (triangle choke) – Round 1, 2:55
Recap: 2024 PFL Championship: Denis Goltsov sleeps Oleg Popov from bottom, calls for Francis Ngannou
Photos: Denis Goltsov def. Oleg Popov at 2024 PFL Championship: Best photos
Records: Goltsov (36-8), Popov (19-2)
Division: Heavyweight
Broadcast: ESPN+
Referee: Gerd Richter

2024 PFL Championship Photos

Check out a full gallery of the fights from 2024 PFL Championship event below.

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2024 PFL MENA Championship Results

  • [autotag]Abdullah Al-Qahtani[/autotag] def. [autotag]Maraoune Bellagouit[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:21 – for MENA featherweight title
  • [autotag]Omar El Dafrawy[/autotag] def. [autotag]Mohammad Alaqraa[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 2; 0:57 – to win MENA welterweight title
  • [autotag]Ali Taleb[/autotag] def. [autotag]Rachid El Hazoume[/autotag] via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:25 – to win MENA bantamweight title
  • [autotag]Mohsen Mohammadseifi[/autotag] def. [autotag]Georges Eid[/autotag] via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – for MENA lightweight title

2024 PFL Championship Preliminary Card Results

  • [autotag]Mansour Barnaoui[/autotag] def. [autotag]Alfie Davis[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 3:41
  • [autotag]Slim Trabelsi[/autotag] def. [autotag]Abraham Bably[/autotag] via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • [autotag]Gabriel Braga[/autotag] def. [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • [autotag]Asael Adjoudj[/autotag] def. [autotag]Jose Perez[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 1:10
  • [autotag]Costello van Steenis[/autotag] def. [autotag]Joao Dantas[/autotag] via knockout (head kick) – Round 1, 0:48

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2024 PFL Championship.

Bellator Champions Series video: Asael Adjoudj knockout punch sends Bruno Fontes into backward somersault

Asael Adjoudj sent Bruno Fontes head over heels – quite literally! – at Bellator Champions Series: Paris on Friday.

[autotag]Asael Adjoudj[/autotag] sent his opponent head over heels, quite literally, in the Bellator Champions Series: Paris prelims opener Friday.

At Accor Arena, Adjoudj (8-1) opened the card with a bang when he clocked [autotag]Bruno Fontes[/autotag] with a slick right hook. The shot floored Fontes (6-1), who rolled into a backward somersault. After some follow-up punches, the referee called off the fight at 1:11 of Round 2.

With the win, Adjoudj moves to 6-1 under the Bellator banner and has won six fights in a row. In his Bellator debut, Fontes loses for the first time as a professional.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator Champions Series: Paris results include:

  • Asael Adjoudj def. Bruno Fontes by knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:11

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator Champions Series: Paris.

Bellator 291 post-event facts: Yaroslav Amosov’s incredible streak hits 27 fights

The longest active winning streak in MMA still belongs to Yaroslav Amosov after a dominant win to defend gold at Bellator 291.

Bellator returned to 3Arena in Dublin on Saturday with Bellator 291, and with 18 fights on the docket, it played out as one of the longest events in company history.

The card closed on a high note, however, when Ukraine welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) retuned to competition with a dominant unanimous decision win over Logan Storley (14-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) to move to 2-0 in their head-to-head series.

Amosov is proving to be one of the best in the world at 170 pounds, and his flawless record is there to back up that notion. For more on the numbers behind his fight, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from Bellator 291.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Dec. 19-25)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from Dec. 19-25.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Nov. 7-13)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from Nov. 7-13.

Bellator 285 post-event facts: Yoel Romero makes history with late knockout

Check out the numbers behind Bellator 285, where Yoel Romero added to one of the most unique records in MMA.

Bellator returned from a six-week hiatus on Saturday with Bellator 285, which went down at 3Arena in Dublin and featured a 13-fight lineup on the card.

The main event featured a dominant performance from former UFC and WEC lightweight champion [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] (30-11 MMA, 7-6 BMMA), who shut down Ireland’s [autotag]Peter Queally[/autotag] (13-7 MMA, 2-3 BMMA) over the course of five rounds to win a unanimous decision and begin his late-career push toward the title.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the event, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from Bellator 285.

Bellator 285 preliminary stream and live results

Watch the preliminary stream and keep up with live and official results of Bellator 285 in Dublin, Ireland.

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Bellator 285 takes place Friday, and you can join MMA Junkie for the preliminary live stream and official results.

The event takes place at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the main event, [autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag] (29-11 MMA, 6-6 BMMA) steps into the backyard of Ireland’s [autotag]Peter Queally[/autotag] (13-6-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) for a lightweight showdown.

The co-feature will see [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (14-6 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) take on [autotag]Melvin Manhoef[/autotag] (32-15-1 MMA, 4-4 BMMA) in a light heavyweight bout.

Official Bellator 285 results include:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Benson Henderson def. Peter Queally via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-45)
  • Yoel Romero def. Melvin Manhoef via knockout (elbows) – Round 3, 3:34
  • [autotag]Leah McCourt[/autotag] def. [autotag]Dayana Silva[/autotag] via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • [autotag]Pedro Carvalho[/autotag] def. [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-29, 29-28)
  • [autotag]Ciaran Clarke[/autotag] def. [autotag]Rafael Hudson[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:50
  • [autotag]Karl Moore[/autotag] def. [autotag]Karl Albrektsson[/autotag] via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:36

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 1 p.m. ET)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 285.

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Bellator 285: Best photos from Dublin

Check out these photos from the fights at Bellator 285 which took place at 3Arena in Dublin.

Check out these photos from the fights at Bellator 285 which took place at 3Arena in Dublin. (Photos courtesy of Lucas Noonan, Bellator MMA)

Bellator 285 video: Asael Adjoudj drills Jordan Barton with powerful head kick

At Bellator 285, Asael Adjoudj picked up perhaps his most eye-catching highlight to date with a head kick knockout of Jordan Barton.

It was almost two years in between Bellator bouts for [autotag]Asael Adjoudj[/autotag], but he returned with a bang Friday in Dublin.

On the Bellator 285 prelims at 3Arena, Adjoudj (4-0 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) blasted opponent [autotag]Jordan Barton[/autotag] (7-3-1 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) with a cracking head kick to end the fight at 2:39 of Round 1.

A counter right hand first stunned Barton, who crouched but never fully down to the canvas. Upon reset, Adjoudj went high with a left kick that crumpled Barton to the canvas. A few follow-up punches and the fight was over.

Check out a replay of the finish below (via Twitter):

With his second TKO win as a pro, Adjoudj extends his winning streak to four. Meanwhile, Barton falls to 2-3 in his most recent three.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 285 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 285.

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Leah McCourt vs. Judith Ruis, four additional bouts added to Bellator Europe 7

Five new matchups have been added to Bellator Europe 7 in Dublin, including Leah McCourt vs. Judith Ruis.

[autotag]Leah McCourt[/autotag] is set to compete in the first fight of her new exclusive six-fight deal with Bellator.

The promotion announced Tuesday that McCourt (3-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Judith Ruis[/autotag] (6-4 MMA) on the main card of Bellator Europe 7 on Feb. 22 in Dublin.

In her last outing, McCourt took out Kerry Hughes at Bellator 227, submitting her in the first round. She was hoping for a quick turnaround in November in London, but instead will compete in her third fight in a year in Dublin’s 3Arena, when she takes on Germany’s Ruis.

Ruis will be making her promotional debut and is coming off back-to-back first-round submission wins.

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An array of featherweight bouts have been added to the prelims of the Bellator Dublin card. A matchup between SBG’s [autotag]Dylan Logan[/autotag] (4-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Tom Mearns[/autotag] (6-3 MMA, 0-2 BMMA), SBG’s [autotag]Ciaran Clarke[/autotag] (1-0 MMA) and [autotag]Jamie Faulding[/autotag] (1-0 MMA), and former kickboxer [autotag]Ilias Bulaid[/autotag] (1-0 MMA), who will look to pick up his second pro MMA win, when he takes on pro debutant [autotag]Diego Freitas[/autotag] (0-0 MMA). Finally, a pair of pro debutants will enter the Bellator cage as [autotag]Constantin Blanita[/autotag] (0-0 MMA) takes on [autotag]Asael Adjoudj[/autotag] (0-0 MMA).

The current Bellator Europe 7 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD

  • James Gallagher vs. Cal Ellenor
  • Aaron Chalmers vs. Austin Clem
  • Leah McCourt vs. Judith Ruis

PRELIMINARY CARD

  • Oliver Enkamp vs. Lewis Long
  • Daniel Crawford vs. Philip Mulpeter
  • Chris Duncan vs. Ryan Roddy
  • Arunas Andriuskevicus vs. Karl Moore
  • Will Fleury vs. Justin Moore
  • Danni Neilan vs. Chiara Penco
  • Ezzoubair Bouarsa vs. Blaine O’Driscoll
  • Ranjeet Baria vs. Richie Smullen
  • Dylan Logan vs. Tom Mearns
  • Ciaran Clarke vs. Jamie Faulding
  • Ilias Bulaid vs. Diego Freitas
  • Asael Adjoudj vs. Constantin Blanita

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