PFL announces final regular season fights for HW and WLW, on 6/25

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The Professional Fighters League today announced its main event and full card matchups for PFL 6 on June 25 in primetime across ESPN networks and streaming platforms. After an event that featured an improbable upset from Renan Ferreira over Fabricio Werdum which has since been deemed a No Decision, a dominant showing by Kayla Harrison, and record-breaking performances by both Larissa Pacheco and Bruno Cappelozza at PFL 3, the path to the playoffs has gained significant intrigue heading into the final event of the Regular Season. Early finishes will be necessary as playoff spots are on the line in the heavyweight division after two first-round and one second-round finish at PFL 3.

The main event features women’s lightweight star Kayla Harrison who is tied atop the division standings with six points after an impressive win over Mariana Morais via first round knockout. The 2019 PFL champion will look to carry that momentum into her bout with PFL newcomer Cindy Dandois. Dandois brings a wealth of combat sports experience into her bout with Harrison. The Belgian will likely need a stoppage in this must-win matchup to secure a spot in the women’s lightweight playoffs.

Meanwhile, a win-or-go-home heavyweight clash between the former world champion Werdum and Mohammed Usman, the younger brother of UFC champion Kamaru Usman, will kick off the main card on ESPN 2. The two preseason favorites to make the playoffs in the division both know exactly what they need to do in the fight to make the playoffs and will likely need a stoppage to solidify their spot in the standings.

Rounding out the main card will be a heavyweight bout between Ferreira and 2019 PFL champion Ali Isaev, who will be making his 2021 debut after missing out on the first half of the regular season due to travel issues. Both fighters will be gunning for an early finish with Ferreira having just one point and Isaev entering with minus one point. The 2019 PFL heavyweight semifinalist Denis Goltsov, who is coming off an exciting first-round knockout win in PFL 3, will look to do the same against Ante Delija.

Not to be overlooked is Brazilian phenom Bruno Cappelozza, who secured the fastest stoppage in PFL heavyweight history against Ante Delija, who will go up against Muhammed Dereese. Dereese will have to take out Cappelozza early if he wants a shot at making the playoffs. Larissa Pacheco, who set a PFL women’s lightweight record for the fastest stoppage with a 51-second knockout over Julija Pajic, is tied with Kayla Harrison for first place in the standings and will square off against the battle tested Dandois.

“There were a lot of exciting knockouts that took place during PFL 3 for the heavyweight and women’s lightweight divisions and as the Regular Season concludes, all these fighters will be looking for an early stoppage to secure their spots in the playoffs,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo. “Many of our world-class athletes can still qualify for the PFL playoffs, but just about all of them are facing a win or go home scenario. I can’t wait to watch what happens next on June 25.”

PFL 6 is the last chance for the heavyweight and women’s lightweights to earn a playoff spot during the PFL regular season. With six weight divisions (featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, light heavyweight, women’s lightweight, heavyweight) the top four fighters with the most points in each division will make the playoffs. In the playoffs, fighters compete to punch their ticket to the 2021 PFL world championship, the biggest night in MMA – six title fights in one night, the winner of each earns $1 million. 60 fighters started the season – only 24 will qualify for the playoffs.

The final event of the 2021 PFL Regular Season continues on June 25 on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes (10 p.m. ET) and ESPN+ (6:30 p.m. ET).

FULL CARD

ESPN2, ESPN Deportes Card
Kayla Harrison vs. Cindy Dandois
Ali Isaev vs. Renan Ferreira
Denis Goltsov vs. Mohammed Usman
Fabricio Werdum vs. Brandon Sayles

ESPN+ Card
Bruno Cappelozza vs Muhammed Dereese
Larissa Pacheco vs. Olenda Kolesnyk
Genah Fabian vs. Julija Pajic
Ante Delija vs. Hatef Moeil
Taylor Guardado vs. Laura Sanchez
Kaitlin Young vs. Mariana Morais

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fun format and some good fights

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It has grown on me. Usman vs. Werdum could be awesome.

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Usman has nothing for Werdum.

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Usman will be a heavy underdog against Goltsov. Kayle might seriously injure Dandois.

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I’m just happy to be able to record a good fun card on regular cable TV and watch it in high definition when convenient while being able to fast forward the garbage if I start late which I usually do. Fuck being trapped watching commercials or blowing time between fights.

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Usman strikes me as a hvwt that has really big
Muscle and lots of power but that’s about it

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Werdum Out

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum won’t be fighting later this month.

Professional Fighters League announced on Tuesday that “Vai Cavalo” was scheduled to make his second appearance under the promotion’s banner in a June 25 bout with Brandon Sayles, but MMA Fighting has learned that Werdum has withdrawn from the card.

Multiple people with knowledge of the change said Werdum won’t be able to compete after suffering a TKO defeat to Renan Ferreira seven weeks ago. It’s unclear if the 43-year-old Brazilian will still be part of the 2021 PFL season, according to one person, and who will step inside the cage to face Sayles later this month.

Werdum, who parted ways with the UFC after a first-round submission victory over Alexander Gustafsson in Abu Dhabi, was stopped with punches moments after Ferreira tapped to a triangle choke, a move the referee didn’t notice in real time. The New Jersey Athletic Control Board reviewed the fight and overturned the result to a no-decision.