Tag: Loik Radzhabov

2021 PFL Championship results: Raush Manfio tops Loik Radzhabov in classic slugfest

The 2021 PFL lightweight championship bout turned in one of the promotion’s best fights of the season.

One million dollars was on the line when [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] and [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag] stepped into the 2021 PFL Championship cage Wednesday – and the two men fought like it.

With the stakes higher than ever, Manfio (15-3) and Radzhabov (15-3-1) battled it out for a full 25 minutes. Although most men had their moments, Manfio earned a unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 49-46) victory from the judges to win the 2021 PFL featherweight championship and $1 million prize.

2021 PFL Championship took place Wednesday at Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel in Hollywood, Fla. The main card aired on ESPN2/ESPN+ after prelims on ESPN+.

For five full rounds, the two fighters slugged it out. The fight seldom hit the canvas. Instead, both men bit down on their mouthpieces and hurled punches at one another. While the fight began fairly even as each fighter connected on head and body punches as well as leg kicks, Manfio pulled away as the fight progressed.

In Round 4, Manfio really pulled away. As Radzhabov seemingly gassed, the Brazilian appeared to get stronger, faster, and more explosive. He marched down Radzhabov and landed hellacious body punches and kicks. Somehow, a scratched-up, scraped-up Radzhabov stayed in the fight – and even found a second wind in Round 5.

Both men were exhausted when the final horn sounded. The limited-attendance in-person audience went bananas as both men attempted to signal their victory but also compose themselves after the 25-minute cardio-drainer. After brief tallying from the judges, Manfio was declared the victor.

“This is a dream come true,” Manfio said in the cage after the fight. “Only God could make this in my life (and) Jesus Christ. He opened the door up and now I am here with a million dollars, more than happy to provide for my family.”

After two regular season wins against Joilton Lutterbach and former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, Manfio defeated Clay Collard in the opening round of the playoffs to advance to the $1 million championship.

For the second straight season, Radzhabov finds himself one win short of a PFL championship and the $1 million prize money. In 2019, the Tajikistan fighter lost a unanimous decision to multi-time winner Natan Schulte.

The up-to-the-minute 2021 PFL Championship results include:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[vertical-gallery id=1475644]

Video: Kayla Harrison vs. Taylor Guardado, more face off at 2021 PFL Championship weigh-ins

Watch the pre-fight staredowns from the 2021 PFL Championship weigh-ins in Hollywood, Fla.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] might’ve done her final PFL staredown.

The two-time Olympic judo gold medalist and 2019 PFL champion squared off for the last time against her opponent [autotag]Taylor Guardado[/autotag] following Tuesday’s weigh-ins for 2021 PFL Championship. The two competitor are set to meet in the main event of Wednesday’s 2021 PFL Championship. They fight for the women’s lightweight title along with the $1 million prize.

Harrison (11-0) is set to become a free agent following her fight with Guardado. She has yet to revel wether she’ll re-sign with PFL or go else where.

The main card for PFL Championship airs on ESPN2 and streams on ESPN+ at 8:00 p.m. ET following the prelims on ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. ET.

[lawrence-related id=1459842,1450063]

Additionally other 18 fighters faced off including five other title bouts and four non-championship fights.

The staredowns include [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] (welterweight final), [autotag]Abigail Montes[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag], [autotag]Bruno Cappelozza[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ante Delija[/autotag] (heavyweight final), [autotag]Movlid Khaybulaev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Chris Wade[/autotag] (featherweight final), [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] (light heavyweight final), [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag] (lightweight final).

Check out the pre-fight faceoffs in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=785832]

Video: Watch the faceoffs from the 2021 PFL Championship press conference

Check out the faceoffs from the 2021 PFL Championship press conference on Wednesday.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The finalists for the 2021 PFL season got a good look at each other on Wednesday afternoon.

Ten of the 12 finalists faced off at the pre-fight press conference ahead of their respective title bouts at the 2021 PFL Championship on Oct. 27 in Hollywood, Fla.

Ray Cooper III was unable to attend the press conference in person due to travel issues, thus why there was no staredown with Magomed Magomedkerimov.

The following matchups had staredowns on Wednesday: [autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Abigail Montes[/autotag], [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Taylor Guardado[/autotag], [autotag]Movlid Khaybulaev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Chris Wade[/autotag], [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Antonio Carlos Jr.[/autotag], [autotag]Ante Delija[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Bruno Cappelozza[/autotag], [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag].

You can watch the full staredowns in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=841773]

Video: Watch 2021 PFL Championship press conference at 5 p.m. ET

Hear from all the 2021 PFL Championship finalists at the pre-fight press conference.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The PFL’s 2021 season is almost over as its championship finale is set to go down next month.

The event takes place on Oct. 27 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. It features six championship fights, plus three non-title bouts.

You can watch the pre-event news conference for the 2021 PFL Championship on MMA Junkie today at 5 p.m. ET.

Expected to take part are PFL president Ray Sefo, as well as [autotag]Claressa Shields[/autotag], [autotag]Abigail Montes[/autotag], [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag], [autotag]Taylor Guardado[/autotag], [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag], [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag], [autotag]Movlid Khaybulaev[/autotag], [autotag]Chris Wade[/autotag], [autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag], [autotag]Antonio Carlos Jr.[/autotag],  [autotag]Ante Delija[/autotag], [autotag]Bruno Cappelozza[/autotag], [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag], and [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag].

Watch the pre-fight press conference live stream in the video above.

From cleaning offices at night to fighting for $1 million, Raush Manfio reflects on his special 2021 PFL playoff run

Raush Manfio went from cleaning offices at night to fighting for $1 million in the 2021 PFL playoffs.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] is one fight away from winning $1 million after defeating Clay Collard in the semifinals at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 on Friday.

Although his unanimous decision victory over Collard was controversial, Manfio (14-3 MMA, 3-0 PFL) continues on to the finals to face [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag] for a chance at a huge payday. Not bad for a fighter who struggled to find fights on the regional scene and started this PFL season as an alternate.

“When I pray tonight, I have a lot of stuff to be thankful (for),” Manfio told MMA Junkie. “The last three years before I stepped in the PFL, I was trying to schedule fights and no one would fight me in the other small leagues and I was going to quit my career.”

Fellow lightweight competitor Olivier Aubin-Mercier was injured in April and had to pull out of his scheduled bout against Joilton Lutterbach. This opened the window for Manfio to fulfill his alternate role and enter the season. He would go on to defeat Lutterbach via split decision.

Two months later, Manfio found himself standing across the cage from former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis for his second fight of the season. Once again, Manfio edged out a victory via split decision to enter the playoffs, setting up a semifinal bout against Collard.

[lawrence-related id=718606,698046]

On Friday, in perhaps his toughest bout yet inside the PFL cage, Manfio did enough in the judges’ eyes to get his hand raised, despite the backlash from many, including Collard himself.

“Where I came from this year, seven, eight months ago cleaning offices at night to now this opportunity for $1 million dollars, (it’s) the best feeling in feeling in the world,” Manfio stated.

Watch the full post-fight interview with Manfio in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=716686]

Despite feeling pressure from the grueling PFL schedule, Loik Radzhabov ready to win finals for his fans

Pushing through the grueling schedule of the PFL regular season and playoffs, Loik Radzhabov is ready to win the finals for his loyal fans.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Loik Radzhabov has punched his ticket to the lightweight finals after defeating Alex Martinez via unanimous decision in the semifinals at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1.

Radzhabov’s first opponent in his opening bout of the regular season in April was Martinez, a fight that he lost by split decision. For a moment, Radzhabov thought he could be in for a similar situation after the conclusion of their rematch on Friday, but the judges unanimously sided with him as the winner.

After three fights in a span of four months, the hectic schedule of the PFL season is something that Radzhabov wishes were a little different, to allow more time for rest and recovery.

“It’s quite demanding,” Radzhabov told MMA Junkie through a translator. “I wish there would be a little bit more time, maybe every three months, but it’s the format, we have to deal with that. A lot of people don’t realize that it’s a lot of pressure, and then the weight cutting. All of these things, they take a toll on you, and yes, even though there’s only one fight left, you need to remember there are three fights behind me and they all take a little toll on you. It’s not easy, but it’s part of what we do.”

The 2021 PFL finals take place on Oct. 27, where Radzhabov will meet Raush Manfio, who defeated Clay Collard via controversial unanimous decision on Friday.

Tajikistan’s Radzhabov is looking forward to meeting Manfio inside the cage, while also feeling the need to come through with a victory to satisfy his loyal fans who support his efforts.

“It’s a double-edged sword,” Radzhabov said. “With all of this great support comes great responsibility. All of these people are watching me. They cheer me, they support the nation, but now I have to deliver.”

Watch the full post-fight interview with Radzhabov in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=716686]

Video: Watch the 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 post-fight press conference

Hear from PFL president Ray Sefo and winners from Friday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 at the post-fight press conference.

The PFL’s 2021 playoffs got underway on Friday with 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Following the event, you can watch the post-event press conference on MMA Junkie to hear from the competitors of the event.

Expected to take part in the press conference are PFL president Ray Sefo, as well as winners from the event including [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag], [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag], [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag], and [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag].

Watch the post-fight press conference in the video above.

 

2021 PFL Playoffs 1 predictions: Ray Cooper III or Rory MacDonald in semis?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the 2021 PFL Playoffs at welterweight and lightweight.

Cooper III
vs.
MacDonald		 Magomedkerimov
vs.
Sy		 Collard
vs.
Manfio		 Martinez
vs.
Radzhabov
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 120-72		 macdonald2021
MacDonald
(62%)		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov
(90%)		 collard2021
Collard
(77%)		 martinez2021
Martinez
(57%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 119-73		 cooper2021
Cooper		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 118-74		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 118-74
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 cooper2021
Cooper		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 martinez2021
Martinez
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 115-77
trophy copy 2020 Champion		 cooper2021
Cooper		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 114-78
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 martinez2021
Martinez
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 114-78		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 113-79		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 112-80		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 112-80		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 112-80		 cooper2021
Cooper		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 martinez2021
Martinez
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 110-82
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 martinez2021
Martinez
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 108-84		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 radzhabov2021
Radzhabov
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
2021: 43-33		 macdonald2021
MacDonald		 magomedkerimov2021
Magomedkerimov		 collard2021
Collard		 martinez2021
Martinez

The PFL returns this week with the first of three straight weeks of semifinal fights.

2021 PFL Playoffs 1 takes place Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

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

In the main event, 2019 welterweight season winner [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] (22-7-1) takes on [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] (22-7-1). The winner will advance to the final for a shot at $1 million and the 2021 title. MacDonald, one of the promotion’s most high-profile offseason signees, has a 9-4 picks edge from our 13 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.

In the other welterweight semifinal, 2018 season winner [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] (28-5) takes on [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] (9-5-2). Magomedkerimov, who beat Cooper in 2018 to win the crown, is one of two unanimous picks from our staff members.

Our other unanimous pick on the main card is in the lightweight semifinal fight between [autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag] (20-8) and [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] (13-3). Collard upset Anthony Pettis in his first fight of the regular season and he’s got a 13-0 picks lead over Manfio – who beat Pettis, as well, to get to the playoffs.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Alex Martinez[/autotag] (8-1) meets [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag] (14-3-1) in the other lightweight semifinal fight. That’s our most contentious fight – Radzhabov has an 8-5 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, MacDonald (62 percent), Magomedkerimov (90 percent), Collard (77 percent) and Martinez (57 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

Video: Rory MacDonald, Ray Cooper III have intense staredown at 2021 PFL Playoffs press conference

Watch all the eight main card staredowns from Wednesday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 press conference.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – All eight fighters competing on the main card of Friday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 event had a chance to size each other up.

On Wednesday at the 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 press conference, [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] and[autotag] Ray Cooper III[/autotag] (22–7–1) faced off in a short, but intense staredown ahead of their main event bout. The two form part of one-half of the semifinals of the welterweight tournament.

[lawrence-related id=685187]

Additionally, other matchups were featured in the faceoffs in [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag], [autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag], and [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag] vs. A[autotag]lexander Martinez[/autotag].

Check out their eventful faceoff in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=617571]

Natan Schulte says leg kicks a big part of his strategy to outlast Loik Radzhabov for second PFL title

Natan Schulte credits the leg kicks as a big part of the strategy in outlasting Loik Radzhabov.

NEW YORK – [autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag] credits a specific strategy that helped him get the job done.

Schulte (20-3-1 MMA, 9-0-1 PFL) engaged in easily the best fight of the night, when he outlasted [autotag]Loik Radzhabov[/autotag] (13-2-1 MMA, 2-2-1 PFL) in a five-round battle at the 2019 PFL Championship on Tuesday at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York to win the lightweight title and $1 million.

One pivotal strategy was his leg kicks, that Schulte says, were a big part of his game plan to open things up for him offensively.

“That was a big part of the strategy,” Schulte said through a translator at the post-fight news conference. “My striking coach, Katel Kubis, and Luciano Macarrao put this game plan to get his mobility compromised, and since he changes stance all the time, and I do too. So I started kicking both legs and he was not comfortable in either one of them, so that opened a lot for my striking as well.”

It was the second year in a row that Schulte won the lightweight playoffs, and when asked if he’d entertain a superfight with fellow two-time tournament winner, featherweight Lance Palmer, Schulte didn’t seem too keen. He admitted he has a hard time making the 155-pound limit.

“There’s two different weight divisions. I kind of suffer a little bit to make lightweight,” Schulte said. “I don’t believe that he’s going to want to go to lightweight, and we both stay in the division, it’s a natural course.”

[vertical-gallery id=477040]

[vertical-gallery id=476929]