Tag: Cezar Ferreira

7 PFL fighters punished for drug tests; multiple bout results overturned

The seven remaining PFL fighters who failed drug tests but had not received punishments were handed theirs Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Seven of the PFL fighters who tested positive for banned substances during the promotion’s 2023 season have been handed punishments by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

At a monthly commission meeting Tuesday in Las Vegas, the NAC announced a list of adjudication agreements that included suspensions, fines, and a few bout results overturned.

Out of the 36 bouts that took place across three PFL events at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in April, 10 featured fighters who were flagged, including three bouts in which both fighters tested positive.

The recent wave of positive tests triggered a response from PFL brass, which stated publicly they are looking to implement a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency testing program similar to the UFC’s.

Bruno Cappelloza, Alejandro Flores, and Krzysztof Jotko already received their punishments during the May event. Scroll below for details of the other seven fighters, who received punishments Tuesday in Las Vegas.

9 PFL fighters face suspensions following failed drug tests in Nevada

Nine PFL fighters are suspended after positive drug tests across three events, including two pairs of fighters who fought each other.

Nine PFL fighters face sanctions from the Nevada Athletic Commission after failed drug tests stemming from their first regular season bouts of the 2023 season.

At a monthly NAC meeting Tuesday, three fighters were handed sanctions, while another six had hearings announced and postponed to a later date.

Out of the 36 bouts that took place across three PFL events at The Theater at Virgin Hotels on April 1, April 7, and April 15, seven featured fighters who were flagged, including two bouts in which both fighters tested positive.

After the reading of the agenda items and announced sanctions, commission members expressed disappointment and concern at the number of PFL fighters who tested positive.

NAC executive director Jeff Mullen mentioned PFL is exploring the possibility of implementing the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency as a method of cleaning up the promotion.

PFL released the following statement prior to the hearing Wednesday.

“PFL has been notified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission that several fighters who competed in the two PFL 2023 Regular Season events this past April have been temporarily suspended until further review by the Commission,” it read.

“PFL has a zero-tolerance policy related to the usage of banned substances and complies with the U.S. State Athletic Commission requirements. Further, as the PFL moves towards the highest level of testing and compliance in the sport, PFL is engaged with USADA on the implementation of its athlete anti-doping program.

Scroll below to find out which fighters have been flagged.

Cezar Ferreira loses in 13 seconds after apparent injury, immediately accused of ‘dive’ by fellow PFL fighter

According to a fellow UFC alum, Cezar Ferreira entered the PFL Playoffs with a visible injury.

One half of the 2021 PFL Playoffs light heavyweight bracket concluded in unfortunate fashion Friday.

Following a one-hour delay due to the ESPN broadcast of a high school football game, the 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 main card kicked off with UFC alum [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag] against rising Norwegian [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag].

On the first kick he threw, Ferreira (14-10) clutched the back of his other leg, and crumpled to the canvas. Injured and on his back, Ferreira covered up as best he could but the fight was waved off by the referee.

A mix of disappointment and excitement, a confused Hamlet (8-2) celebrated with his team before he expressed his lack of pride in the method of his victory.

Shortly after the result was announced in the cage, PFL fighter [autotag]Chris Camozzi[/autotag] accused Ferreira of a dive. Camozzi competed in a prelim showcase matchup earlier on the card when he defeated Cory Hendricks.

“Huh,” Camozzi wrote in a tweet. “That’s a dive by Cezar. I saw him at the weigh-ins, black and purple leg. My coaches saw it too. He showed up for a show paycheck @PFLMMA can’t believe they cleared him to fight.”

Camozzi did not elaborate further.
Regardless of how it played out, Hamlet will move on to compete in the 2021 PFL Playoffs final this October – and if he wins against the winner of Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Emiliano Sordi, will walk home with $1 million.
  • Marthin Hamlet def. Cezar Ferreira via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:13
  • Sheymon Moraes def. Lazar Stojadinovic via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:45
  • Chris Camozzi def. Cory Hendricks via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Anthony Dizy def. Jesse Stirn via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Bobby Moffett def. Jason Knight via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Alejandro Flores def. Carl Deaton via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Brandon Jenkins def. Jacob Kilburn via knockout (flying knee) – Round 1, 2:56

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2021 PFL Playoffs 3 live and official results

Follow along with live and official results of 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 featuring Brendan Loughnane vs. Movlid Khaybulaev in the main event.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 takes place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Friday and you can follow along with live and official results on MMA Junkie.

The main card airs on ESPN 2 and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET following prelims exclusively on ESPN+ starting at 7 p.m. ET.

The final week of the PFL Playoffs will determine the finalists for the featherweight and light heavyweight seasons.

In the main event, [autotag]Brendan Loughnane[/autotag] (21-3) takes on undefeated [autotag]Movlid Khaybulaev[/autotag] (17-0-1) in a semifinal matchup of the 145-pound season. The other semifinal bout takes place in the co-main event, as former UFC fighter [autotag]Chris Wade[/autotag] (19-6) takes on [autotag]Bubba Jenkins[/autotag] (16-4).

The semifinals of the PFL light heavyweight season take place on the main card with [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] (11-5) taking on 2019 PFL champion Emiliano Sordi (23-8-1), and [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag] (14-9) facing [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] (7-2).

The full 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 results are below:

Main Card (ESPN2, ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Brendan Loughnane vs. Movlid Khaybulaev
  • Chris Wade vs. Bubba Jenkins
  • Antonio Carlos Junior  vs. Emiliano Sordi
  • Cezar Ferreira vs. Marthin Hamlet

Preliminary card (ESPN+)

  • Sheymon Moraes vs. Lazar Stojadinovic
  • Chris Camozzi vs. Cory Hendricks
  • Anthony Dizy  vs. Jesse Stirn
  • Jason Knight vs. Bobby Moffett
  • Alejandro Flores vs. Carl Deaton III
  • Brandon Jenkins vs. Jacob Kilburn

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Video: 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 cermonial weigh-ins (5 p.m. ET)

Watch the 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 weigh-ins live at 5:00 p.m. ET.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The last week of the 2021 PFL playoffs is underway, and you catch the weigh-ins for the event on MMA Junkie.

All 20 competitors are set to step on the scale to make the required limit for their respective bouts at Thursday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 3 weigh-ins at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

In the main event, Brendan Loughnane takes on undefeated Movlid Khaybulaev in a semifinal matchup of the featherweight season. The other bout of the 145-pounds season goes down in the co-main event, as former UFC fighter Chris Wade takes on Bubba Jenkins.

Additionally, the semifinals of the PFL light heavyweight season go down on the main card with Antonio Carlos Junior taking on 2019 PFL champion Emiliano Sordi, and Cezar Ferreira facing Marthin Hamlet.

Watch the live weigh-ins in the video above.

Main Card (ESPN2, ESPN+, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Brendan Loughnane vs. Movlid Khaybulaev
  • Chris Wade vs. Bubba Jenkins
  • Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Emiliano Sordi
  • Cezar Ferreira vs. Marthin Hamlet

Preliminary card (ESPN+, 6:30 p.m. ET)

  • Sheymon Moraes vs. Lazar Stojadinovic
  • Chris Camozzi vs. Cory Hendricks
  • Anthony Dizy vs. Jesse Stirn
  • Jason Knight vs. Bobby Moffett
  • Alejandro Flores vs. Carl Deaton III
  • Brandon Jenkins vs. Jacob Kilburn

2021 PFL 5 video highlights: Welterweight, light heavyweight playoffs set

Check out the video highlights from Thursday’s 2021 PFL 5, where the postseason was cemented at welterweight and light heavyweight.

The PFL returned Thursday with postseason spots on the line in the welterweight and light heavyweight divisions.

There was a big surprise in the 2021 PFL 5 main event when [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] upset former Bellator welterweight champion [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] with a split decision. MacDonald derided the result as a robbery after the fight – but courtesy of a first-round finish in his first fight of the season, he still had enough points to reach the playoffs despite the loss. Tibau’s win was worth 3 points, which wasn’t enough to make the postseason.

[autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] found himself in an interesting situation, too. He took a unanimous decision from [autotag]Nikolay Aleksakhin[/autotag] in the welterweight co-main event – but couldn’t earn any points in the standings because he missed weight. In fact, he was docked a point for that infraction. But because not enough fighters below him in the standings did enough to pass him, he still will fight in the four-man bracket to go after a second $1 million prize.

Joining MacDonald (6 points) and Cooper (5) in the welterweight postseason will be top seed [autotag]Joan Zeferino[/autotag] (8) and No. 4 seed [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] (5).

In light heavyweight fights on the main card, [autotag]Chris Camozzi[/autotag] upset [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag]. But Ferreira’s 6-point finish in his first fight remained enough to get him to the postseason, and Camozzi’s 3 points from his unanimous decision wasn’t enough to get him in after a loss in his opening fight. And [autotag]Emiliano Sordi[/autotag] fought to a draw with [autotag]Dan Spohn[/autotag], worth just 1 point each. But that was enough to give Sordi 4 points – and a tiebreaker over Cory Hendricks, who had a 4-point finish of [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] on the prelims.

Despite the loss, Hamlet still made the playoffs with 5 points. Joining him are [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] (7) atop the 205-pound table, Ferreira (6) and Sordi (4).

Check out the highlights from 2021 PFL 5 in the video above.

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2021 PFL 5 results: Gleison Tibau pulls of shocking split decision win over Rory MacDonald

Check out the full results of 2021 PFL 5, headlined by a welterweight matchup between Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau.

[autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] will miss the 2021 PFL playoffs, but that didn’t stop him from creating drama with a huge upset win over [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag].

In the main event of 2021 PFL 5, MacDonald (22-7-1) found himself on the wrong end of a split decision to Tibau (35-15). 2021 PFL 5 took place at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card aired on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

For most fighters on the card, this event was all about securing the most points possible to lock in their spot for the playoffs. Entering the cage on Thursday with six points on the board and a spot in the playoffs already clinched, MacDonald did not share that concern. His opponent Tibau, however, needed a first or second-round finish to earn a spot in the playoffs.

Tibau started the first round aggressively, looking to land hard strikes, knowing his playoff life was on the line with time against him. MacDonald stayed light on his feet and circled on the outside while landing strikes of his own.

An accidental eye poke from MacDonald occurred in the middle of the opening round, but Tibau continued after a short break to recover.

When the action resumed, Tibau continued to swing for the fences, but MacDonald wanted to bring the action to the mat to slow his opponent down. He would end up on Tibau’s back and attempt a rear-naked choke, but Tibau defended it well before the round ended.

Perhaps liking the success in the closing moments of the first, MacDonald immediately went for the takedown at the beginning of the second round. Tibau would break free and the pair exchanged strikes in the center of the cage.

MacDonald continued to look for takedown attempts, but Tibau’s defense held strong. Both fighters found the mark for hard strikes, with Tibau blitzing forward with a nice combination to end the round.

Even though he couldn’t secure a finish within the first two rounds, Tibau continued to throw heavy punches in the third. MacDonald controlled the action early by controlling the center of the cage, while landing quick strikes of his own.

MacDonald accidentally poked Tibau’s eye for the second time, halting the action briefly. When the action resumed, Tibau continued to pressure forward and a few strikes were exchanged, but nothing too significant before the fight came to an end.

Two judges scored the bout in favor of Tibau with scores of 29-28, while one judge scored the fight 29-28 for MacDonald, giving Tibau the huge upset victory by split decision.

 

Tibau was on the wrong end of a unanimous decision against Joao Zeferino at 2021 PFL 2 in April, but on Thursday, the judges were on his side.

In the co-main event of the evening, 2019 PFL champion Ray Cooper III ground out a hard-fought decision victory over Nikolay Aleksakhin to clinch a playoff spot, despite losing a point for missing weight.

Thursday’s event featured fights between welterweights and light heavyweights to determine who would advance to the playoffs.

Full results of 2021 PFL 5 are below:

MAIN CARD

  • Gleison Tibau def. Rory Macdonald via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Ray Cooper III def. Nikolay Aleksakhin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Emiliano Sordi vs. Dan Spohn declared a unanimous draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
  • Chris Camozzi def. Cezar Ferreira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

PRELIMINARY CARD

  • Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Vinny Magalhaes ends in no contest (groin strike) – Round 1, 2:45
  • Cory Hendricks def. Marthin Hamlet via submission (rear naked choke) – Round 3, 4:09
  • Joao Zeferino def. Jason Ponet via submission (arm triangle) – Round 2, 2:16
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Curtis Millender via submission (Ezekiel choke) – Round 1, 1:57
  • Tom Lawlor def. Jordan Young via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Sadibou Sy def. Aleksei Kunchenko via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau headlines 2021 PFL 5 on June 17

Rory MacDonald will serve as the headliner for his second straight PFL event.

[autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] will serve as the headliner for his second straight PFL event.

On Wednesday, PFL officials announced the lineup for the second round of 2021 regular-season bouts for welterweights and light heavyweights, which take place at 2021 PFL 5 on June 17.  In the main event, MacDonald (22-6-1) faces fellow ex-UFC fighter [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] (35-15) at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

MacDonald made good in his promotional debut, when he submitted Curtis Millender in the first round at 2021 PFL 2. The win placed the former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC title challenger at the top of the season standings, alongside reigning PFL champion [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag], who also notched six points when he choked out Jason Ponet in the co-main event.

Cooper (21-7-1) will serve as the co-main event once again when he takes on [autotag]Nikolay Aleksakhin[/autotag] (26-5-1). Also on the main card is 2019 PFL light heavyweight champ [autotag]Emiliano Sordi[/autotag] (23-8), who takes on Dana White’s Contender Series alum [autotag]Dan Spohn[/autotag] (18-8). Finally, leader on the light heavyweight board [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag] (14-8) will look to build off his 37-second knockout over Nick Roehrick when he faces [autotag]Chris Camozzi[/autotag] (25-15).

A grapplers delight between [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] (11-5-1), who submitted Tom Lawlor in his promotional debut, and 2018 light heavyweight finalist [autotag]Vinny Magalhaes[/autotag] (19-12-1) will serve as the featured prelim.

The full 2021 PFL 5 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN 2, 9 p.m. E.T.)

  • Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau
  • Ray Cooper III vs. Nikolay Aleksakhin
  • Emiliano Sordi vs. Dan Spohn
  • Cezar Ferreira vs. Chris Camozzi

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5:30 p.m. E.T.)

  • Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Vinny Magalhaes
  • Marthin Hamlet vs. Cory Hendricks
  • Jason Ponet vs. Joao Zeferino
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Curtis Millender
  • Tom Lawlor vs. Jordan Young
  • Aleksei Kunchenko vs. Sadibou Sy

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2021 PFL 2 video: Cezar Ferreira obliterates Nick Roehrick with quick first-round KO

If there was any question of whether Cezar Ferreira could handle a move 20 pounds north, he answered it Thursday.

If there was any question of whether [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag] could handle a move 20 pounds north, he answered it Thursday.

Ferreira (14-8) made quick work of [autotag]Nick Roehrick[/autotag] (9-2) with a first-round knockout in their light heavyweight regular season fight at 2021 PFL 2. The fight was Ferreira’s move to 205 pounds after fighting at 185 pounds for 15 fights in the UFC before signing with the PFL.

Ferreira backed Roehrick up quickly, then landed a handful of lefts and rights with Roehrick against the cage. Roehrick hit the canvas and was out just 37 seconds into the fight. The finish was the second fastest knockout in PFL light heavyweight history.

The Brazilian vaulted to the top of the light heavyweight standings with the first-round finish, which earned him the maximum 6 points.

Check out Ferreira’s finish in the video below from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

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Ex-UFC veterans Cezar Ferreira, Sheymon Moraes feature as PFL announces eight new signings

The Professional Fighters League has announced eight more new signings to their roster for 2021, including former UFC veterans Cezar Ferreira and Sheymon Moraes.

The PFL has bolstered its fighter roster ahead of the promotion’s 2021 season with the addition of eight new faces.

The most recognizable of the group is Brazilian middleweight [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag] (13-8), who enjoyed a 15-fight stint in the UFC after winning “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.” “Mutante” will be joined by fellow countryman and former UFC colleague [autotag]Sheymon Moraes[/autotag] (11-4), who will join the PFL’s featherweight lineup for the coming season.

Also joining the promotion is Norwegian light heavyweight [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] (6-1), a former Cage Warriors title challenger at 205 pounds and current teammate of UFC middleweight contender Jack Hermansson, while German-based Brazilian lightweight [autotag]Joilton Santos Lutterbach[/autotag] (34-8) and South Korean featherweight [autotag]Sung Bin Jo[/autotag] (9-1) have also joined the roster.

Meanwhile, the PFL confirmed that the heavyweight division will welcome three new names in 2021, with Brazil’s [autotag]Renan Ferreira[/autotag] (6-2), Germany’s [autotag]Hatef Moeil[/autotag] (10-4) and American [autotag]Brandon Sayles[/autotag] (5-1) all set for action in 2021 as they join more recently announced arrivals in Mohammed Usman, Jordan Young, Johnny Case, Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Bubba Jenkins on the PFL’s new-look 2021 roster.

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“We are extremely excited to welcome a diverse group of world-class talent to the Professional Fighters League as part of the 2021 roster,” said PFL president Ray Sefo, via press release. “The addition of elite competitors from countries such as Brazil, Norway, South Korea and Germany is representative of PFL’s global reach. We look forward to seeing what these fighters can do on the biggest stage, as they look to advance through a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship and earn a title and million-dollar prize.”

PFL CEO Peter Murray added, “PFL is a global brand with distribution to over 160 countries, and top talent from around the world are recognizing the unique opportunity PFL provides in terms of competing on the biggest stage, against the best competition, for an equal shot at a title and life-changing money.

“We are committed to consistently elevating our roster and we’re excited about the depth of talent that will be on display in 2021. Through PFL Studios and our wide network of distribution partners, we look forward to telling their stories and documenting each individual’s journey to the top of the sport.”

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