2021 PFL Playoffs results: Ray Cooper III dominates Rory MacDonald in lopsided decision

Ray Cooper III punches his ticket to the PFL lightweight final with dominant win over Rory MacDonald at PFL Playoffs.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] shocked the MMA world on Friday night.

The 2019 PFL lightweight champion dominated former Bellator champion and long-time UFC contender [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] in the main event of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1. Cooper III (22-7-1) officially defeated MacDonald (22-7-1) via unanimous decision, winning 30-27 on all three judges’ scorecards.

Cooper III now advances to the 2021 PFL lightweight final. He’s set to take on Magomed Magomedkerimov, who defeated Sadibou Sy in the co-main event. The final is scheduled for Oct. 27 also at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

The 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 took place on Friday night at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The main card air on ESPN 2 and ESPN+ with the prelims exclusively on ESPN+.

It was a one-way street for Cooper III.

The Hawaiian was pressed early in the fight, as MacDonald clinched him up against the cage. But after a few minutes, Cooper III took down MacDonald and dominated the action. Cooper III sank in an arm-triangle but time ran out on the clock before he could get the finish.

The second and third rounds were the same story: Cooper III took the fight to the ground and shut down MacDonald’s defense. There were brief times where the fight was on the feet, but even then Cooper III appeared to land the more meaningful strikes.

It was a dominant and complete showing by Cooper III.

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Cooper III entered on a four-fight winning streak and being the last winner of the welterweight season, having crowned himself champion in 2019 with a win over David Michaud in the 2019 PFL finals. The win over MacDonald is arguably his biggest and perhaps paired with his two wins over former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields.

Meanwhile, MacDonald entered the 2021 PLF playoffs having defeated Curtis Millender with a first-round submission and then losing a controversial split-decision to Gleison Tibau. The first-round finish over Millender was enough to get him six points and into the playoffs. MacDonald is now on a two-fight losing streak.

The full official 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 results include:

  • Ray Cooper III def. Rory MacDonald via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – welterweight semifinal
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Sadibou Sy via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – welterweight semifinal
  • Raush Manfio def. Clay Collard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal
  • Loik Radzhabov def. Alexander Martinez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal
  • Gleison Tibau def. Micah Terrill via submission (arm triangle) – Round 1, 2:18
  • Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Darrell Horcher via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-27)
  • Brett Cooper def. Tyler Hill via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:32
  • Magomed Umalatov def. Leandro Silva via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Michael Lombardo def. Kyron Bowen via TKO (leg kicks) – Round 1, 3:42
  • Elvin Espinoza def. Hopeton Stewart via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:45

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Ray Cooper III isn’t impressed by Rory MacDonald: ‘His career has been inconsistent’

Ray Cooper III not taken away by what Rory MacDonald has shown in latest career chapter.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – While many may think [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag]’s bout on Friday night will be the biggest of his career, Cooper III disagrees.

The 2019 PFL welterweight champion takes on former Bellator champion and UFC contender Rory MacDonald in the main event of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. It’s a big name for Cooper (22–7–1) and a big fight, as it serves as the semifinal of the 2021 PFL welterweight season.

But despite the stakes, the headliner placement, and recognized opponent, Cooper doesn’t feel the bout with MacDonald is as big as people are making it out to be.

“The fight doesn’t feel that big, I guess it does (to people), but to me, it’s just another fight,” Cooper said. “It’s just playoffs. My main goal is to get past this fight and get into the finals match.”

One of the main reasons why Friday’s bout might not have the big-fight feel for Cooper is that the Hawaiian isn’t too impressed with MacDonald’s recent body of work.

“He came off losses in the UFC, and he came off losing his Bellator belt to Douglas Lima, and then now he’s coming here saying he’s going to be the champion,” Cooper said. “I think his career has been inconsistent lately. I really don’t see any problems from him.

“I don’t think he has anything to offer me, so yeah.”

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Many thought the Cooper-MacDonald bout was better suited for the final given they’re arguably the two biggest names in the tournament. The 28-year-old doesn’t mind to be meeting MacDonald in the semis, as he’s got his eye on a rematch with Magomed Magomedkerimov, who beat Cooper in 2018 and finds himself on the other side of the bracket.

“I feel like fighting him right now is the best thing,” Cooper said. “I got the best side of the bracket, so I take him out and move on to the finals so I can face the winner of Sy or Magomed. I’d really like my rematch with Magomed Magomedkerimov.

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2021 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-in results, live video stream

Watch the 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-ins from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Florida.

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – MMA Junkie is on  thescene at Thursday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 weigh-ins.

The weigh-ins take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The same venue hosts Friday’s event, which has a main card on ESPN 2 following prelims on ESPN+.

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In the main event, former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC contender [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] (22–7–1) takes on 2019 PFL welterweight champ [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] (22–7–1) in a semifinal bout of the playoffs.

The other welterweight semifinal will be contested in the co-main event, as [autotag]Sadibou Sy[/autotag] (9-5-2) fights [autotag]Magomed Magomedkerimov[/autotag] (28-5).

Below are the full weigh-in results for Friday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1.

MAIN CARD ( ESPN+ and ESPN 2, 9:00 p.m. ET)

  • Rory MacDonald (170.75) vs. Ray Cooper III (169.75)
  • Sadibou Sy (169.25) vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov (171)
  • Clay Collard (155.75) vs. Raush Manfio (156)
  • Loik Radzhabov (156) vs. Alexander Martinez (155.5)

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

  • Micah Terrill (170.75) vs. Gleison Tibau (171)
  • Darrell Horcher (159.25)* vs. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (155.5)
  • Tyler Hill (171) vs. Brett Cooper (169.75)
  • Magomed Umalatov (171) vs. Leandro Silva (172.5)*
  • Kyron Bowen (170.75) vs. Michael Lombardo (171)
  • Elvin Espinoza (155.25) vs. Hopeton Stewart (154.75)

*Horcher and Silva missed weight and were fined a percentage of their purses. Both bouts will proceed as scheduled.

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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.

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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.

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2021 PFL playoffs: Rory MacDonald, Kayla Harrison get semifinal bookings

Check out the full lineups for the 2021 PFL playoff events, which kick off in August.

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The next chapter in the 2021 PFL season kicks off in August with playoff action.

After the conclusion of its regular season events in June, the promotion took a brief hiatus to allow the athletes on the roster to recover and focus on the next step, which centers around securing a place in the championship round for an opportunity at $1 million.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., will play host to the playoff round, with events set for Aug. 13, Aug. 19 and Aug. 27 that air on ESPN or ESPN2 as well as stream on ESPN+.

“No sports league can match the thrilling action Professional Fighters League will deliver this August as the final four fighters for each weight division will compete for a spot in the $1 million world championship bout,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray in a press release. “The only playoff format in the sport gives every fighter a chance. The more than 550 million MMA fans around the world are going to witness unmatched intensity during every fight in the PFL SmartCage.”

Check below for the lineup for the 2021 PFL Playoffs, where notables such as Rory MacDonald, Kayla Harrison and more are scheduled to compete.

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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2021 PFL 5 weigh-in results: Rory MacDonald, Gleison Tibau make headliner official

Check out the full weigh-in results ahead of Thursday’s 2021 PFL 5 event.

The weigh-ins are in the books for PFL’s fifth event of 2021, with welterweights and light heavyweight ready to close out their season after hitting the scales at Wednesday’s official ceremony.

Welterweights take center stage on Thursday, as [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] is set to face [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] in the main event. The co-main event will see [autotag]Nikolay Aleksakhin[/autotag] take on 2019 PFL champion [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag].

2021 PFL 5 takes place Thursday at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

Check out the complete weigh-in results below:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Rory MacDonald (171) vs. Gleison Tibau (170.6)
  • Nikolay Aleksakhin (169) vs. Ray Cooper III (171.8)
  • Emiliano Sordi (205) vs. Dan Spohn (205.6)
  • Chris Camozzi (204.6) vs. Cezar Ferreira (205.4)

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

  • Antonio Carlos Junior (205) vs. Vinny Magalhaes (204)
  • Marthin Hamlet (205.6) vs. Cory Hendricks (205.6)
  • Jason Ponet (169.4) vs. Joao Zeferino (171)
  • Magomed Magomedkerimov (171) vs. Curtis Millender (170.6)
  • Tom Lawlor (203.6) vs. Jordan Young (206)
  • Aleksei Kunchenko (169.6) vs. Sadibou Sy (170)

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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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