PFL Challenger Series 8 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Round 1

Kicking off this unique card, we begin with welterweights as Sadeck
Sanon (3-1) of Burkina Faso battles Ali Omar (4-2). Referee Larry
Folsom will preside over this one. Omar begins the action with a
body kick and Sanon immediately retaliates with a leg kick of his
own. Sanon is bouncing very well on his feet. Omar partially lands
another body kick but this time Sanon lands a very hard leg kick in
response. Omar with another body kick and this time Sanon closes
the distance and clinches. Sanon is getting good positions but Omar
just barely manages to stay upright. Omar has a whizzer but it’s
not the best, though he manages to defend and eventually pushes
off. Sanon lands a nice leg kick at range. Omar fires a few punches
but Sanon blocks well. Omar does slip a little uppercut, though he
doesn’t follow up on it. Omar throws a head kick and it gets
through a little as he continues to circle on the outside. Sanon
tries a few punches but Omar is just out of range. Sanon partially
lands a left hand, his best punch of the stanza. Sanon throws a leg
kick but Omar counters with a jab. Sanon lands with a nice leg
kick. Omar tries a double-leg shot but it’s easily stuffed and it’s
Sanon who pushes him down to the canvas. However, Omar neatly
continues scrambling and gets back to his feet. They continue
grappling further but it ends with Sanon harmlessly pushing Omar
intot he fence. Omar gets separation and lands a jab to the body.
Close round, but I have it for Omar.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Omar
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Omar
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Omar

Round 2

Sanon lands a hard leg kick to begin the round. Omar lands a nice
left hook to the body. Sanon throws a hard 1-2 but Omar retreats
just out of range. Omar shoots for another double-leg but again
Sanon stuffs it with ease, with Omar just barely managing to avoid
being taken down as he did in the first round. They’re in the
clinch now and Sanon lands a few knees to the thighs, though
they’re not hard. Sanon tries a takedown but Omar hits a nice
switch to stay in the clinch. Sanon tries to change levels again
but Sanon again hits a beautiful switch and briefly gets the back.
However, Sanon spins into him and they’re back in the clinch.
Before long they separate and after a few harmless punches from
both, Omar tries another double-leg, his best one yet, but this one
is also unsuccessful. In the clinch now, Sanon lands a couple of
knees to the head. They separate again, with 2 minutes left in the
round. Omar throws a beautiful wheel kick that partially lands.
Sanon lands a leg kicks soon after. Both men have slowed down now.
Omar pumps the jab but Sanon is out of range. Omar times a kick
poorly and gets hit with a punch that briefly puts him on his back.
Sanon lands some solid ground-and-pound though he is postured too
far up, allowing Omar to get back up. Omar tries another double-leg
but this one is very easily defended. Sanon is looking a lot better
all of a sudden. Sanon with a solid leg kick. A few fancy spinning
kicks by Omar all miss.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Sanon
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sanon
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sanon

Round 3

Omar starts off the round energetically throwing punches. They’re
all blocked with the exception of the sneaky uppercut which gets
through. Sanon lands a nice leg kick. Sanon gets Omar cornered and
lands a hard left hook to the head, his best punch of the fight. He
follows Omar but seems to briefly lose his footing at one point.
Sanon lands a leg kick and then gets the better of an exchange.
Sanon suddenly stumbles Omar a little with a punch. Sanon smells
blood but Omar tries another double-leg and for the first time, he
gets it! He doesn’t have his opponent downed for long though, as
Sanon immediately wall-walks back up. Omar throws a few punches but
they’re all easily blocked. They clinch as Omar grinds for a
takedown. Sanon gets his leg kick checked but then lands a 1-2.
Omar tries another double-leg but Sanon stuffs it and takes Omar’s
back. Not for long though, as Omar turns into him and they’re
suddenly back at range with just under 2 minutes left. They
exchange leg kicks. Omar is winging wild uppercuts, but they miss.
A Sanon 1-2 is blocked but still partially gets through. Omar tries
a very late takedown, gets it, but Omar just turns into him and is
briefly on top. Omar scrambles and they are back on their feet with
30 seconds left. Both men are very weary as the fight wanes down.
Sanon stuffs yet another Omar takedown as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Sanon (29-28 Sanon)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Sanon (29-28 Sanon)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Sanon (29-28 Sanon)

The Official Result

Ali Omar def. Sadeck Sanon via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
30-27)

Round 1

Up next, we move up all the way to the heavyweights, as undefeated
Denzel Freeman (3-0) faces Raiden Kovacs, who is making his pro
debut. Keeping order over the big men will be referee Josh Rutgers.
Freeman bounces around well on his feet with his hands low,
reminiscent of Stephen Thompson.
And he proves that it’s not mere illusion, as he absolutely
starches Kovacs with a huge head kick! Kovacs isn’t quite out
though, and Freeman follows him to the canvas, smashing him apart
with punches. Within seconds, the fight is stopped.
After the huge highlight reel knockout, Freeman celebrates in a
variety of ways, beginning with Wanderlei Silva’s hand rolls and
ending with a cool side-flip.

The Official Result

Denzel Freeman def. Raiden Kovacs via TKO (Head Kick and Punches)
at 0:27 of Round 1

Round 1

In the co-main, we have two winners from earlier this season, as 20
year-old undefeated Evelyn Martins (3-0) meets Jackie Cataline
(3-1), both recording finishes but not getting the women’s
featherweight contract. Referee Larry Folsom will keep them honest.
Cataline throws a 1-2 but it misses. Martins jerks some leg kicks
but they miss, too. Martins does score with a leg kick a little but
Cataline partially gets a right cross counter through. She throws
another straight right and this one lands even harder. She then has
success with a third such attempt. Martins gets her calf kick
checked and then eats a 1-2 right to the face. Cataline with a
solid jab that lands flush. Martins is only throwing leg kicks.
Martins is very telegraphed and gets hit with yet another right
cross that causes her to stumble backwards and fall on her butt.
She gets up and they clinch for a while before separating. Martins
tries to throw a kick upstairs but it’s easily blocked. Cataline
touches Martins with a left hook. Cataline tries this again, with a
left hook followed by a right cross which is blocked but partially
gets through. Cataline is just scoring again and again with that
straight right down the barrel. She scores yet again with it.
Cataline throws the 3-2 again and it’s successful yet again.
Martins is jabbing now but it’s all blocked. Martins partially
lands a right hand. Suddenly, Martins gets a calf kick through and
it hurts Cataline very badly, causing her to limp on one leg!
Suddenly, Martins lands a right hand. Cataline tries to wrestle at
one point but her leg is in huge pain and she is barely able to
even come forward! Cataline is in huge trouble! Martins partially
lands a leg kick and Martins then lands a head kick, but it’s not
hard enough to cause a KO. What a turnaround!

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Martins
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Martins
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Martins

Round 2

As soon as the round begins, Martins throws a leg kick and it hits
pay dirt, crumpling Cataline. Martins follows her to the ground and
briefly takes the back, but Cataline manages to scramble back to
her feet. Martins keeps throwing leg kicks but Cataline is wary of
them, pulling her leg back. She suddenly switches matters up and
lands a nice body kick. Cataline is throwing the occasional punch,
but her lack of mobility means she can’t quite reach Martins.
Martins, meanwhile, lands jabs and the occasional straight right
when she tries it. Cataline is in pure defense mode.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Martins
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Martins
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Martins

Round 3

Cataline tries a 1-2-1, but Martins evades it. Martins jabs, but
Cataline is out of range. Martins doubles up on her jab before
firing a cross, but again, she isn’t successful. Martins gets
Cataline against the cage and lands a couple of straight righs, and
then a leg kick for good measure. Martins tries another leg kick
and Cataline pulls it out of range. Cataline suddenly tries a leg
kick of her own and gets popped with a jab by Martins. Martins
tries a number of leg kicks but every time Cataline pulls her leg
just out of range. Martins keeps jabbing and just barely misses,
but Cataline’s own punches are well short now. Martins finally gets
through with a solid jab though the follow-up right cross misses.
Martins touches Cataline with another jab. Martins now feels
confident and partially gets a 1-2 through. Martins tries another
big left kick but yet again, Cataline pulls it out of range.
Martins tries another head kick now, but Cataline easily blocks it.
Cataline now finally lands a blow of her own, scoring with a right
cross. Martins gets another head kick blocked. Martins is still
bouncing well on her feet and jabbing. Martins lands a 1-2 as the
fight ends, while Cataline’s efforts all miss.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Martins (30-27 Martins)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Martins (30-27 Martins)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 Martins (30-27 Martins)

The Official Result

Evelyn Martins def. Jackie Cataline via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

In the main event, we have lightweights as Kendly St. Louis (8-4)
goes to war with Paulo Henrique Laia (14-6). St. Louis won his
fight earlier this season but was 0.8 pounds over the lightweight
limit. Meanwhile, Laia actually lost his fight earlier this season
by split decision, but is one of the coolest-looking fighters I’ve
ever seen. He is a kung-fu master straight out of an anime with his
white hair and beard and absurd height and reach for lightweight.
Referee Josh Rutgers gets the last assignment of the night. St.
Louis immediately fires a big 1-2 but the endlessly tall Laia is
out of range. Laia lands a few body kicks that almost strike the
head. St. Louis throws a few punches and one lands flush, slightly
wobbling Laia. St. Louis catches a Laia kick for the takedown, but
Laia soon gets to his feet, grappling in a clinch against the cage.
However, St. Louis continues grappling and eventually drags Laia
down. He lands the occasional small punch from the top, but isn’t
able to do much. Finally, 2 minutes into the round, Laia wall-walks
back to his feet. St. Louis continues grappling, though, and lands
the occasional small punch as he drags Laia down and starts
grapevining his leg. Laia turns into him though and reverses St.
Louis against the cage. Suddenly, the two men separate at range.
Laia lands a few nice punches, including an uppercut, and goes for
a flying knee that doesn’t quite connect. They’re back in the
clinch as a result and it’s now Laia who slams St. Louis to the
canvas. Laia briefly takes the back but it’s very loose and St.
Louis turns into him. As they continue to scramble, it’s St. Louis
who ends up on top in half-guard. St. Louis lands the occasional
arm punch. Laia eventually makes his way back up, but there are
only 20 seconds left. St. Louis lands a few knees to the body as
time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis

Round 2

Laia lands a few small punches to begin the round, but St. Louis
reacts with hard punches of his own. Laia retreats to the cage and
St. Louis lands several more hard blows. Oddly, he decides to
change levels and get the takedown. He does so, but soon Laia is
back to his feet and clinching hard for a takedown of his own. He
has some success, getting St. Louis to his knees. Laia gets a
waistlock from behind and gets St. Louis down, with a body
triangle. Again though, it’s loose, and St. Louis simply turns into
him to get top position. St. Louis is working from the full guard,
throwing the occasional punch, mostly with his lefts, including one
that is body-head. Laia tries to get his way to the cage, but St.
Louis keeps holding on to him and landing the occasional left hand.
St. Louis is now in the half-guard with about 90 seconds left. Laia
pushes up but St. Louis keeps him grounded. St. Louis finally
postures up and lands some much harder right hands. Laia scrambles
and ends up back on top, though there are only 40 seconds left in
the stanza. They’re back in the clinch and a few moments later, St.
Louis gets yet another takedown. He has the back, but it’s loose.
With the seconds ticking down, St. Louis lands short punches to
Laia’s head.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis

Round 3

Both men are noticeably tired to begin the final stanza. Laia lands
a solid right cross in a wild exchange. After a brief respite to
fix some tape on St. Louis’ gloves, they resume and are now
striking more than ever. Laia throws some powerful strikes but St.
Louis avoids them. Eventually St. Louis clinches with him and picks
him up with a high-amplitude slam. St. Louis is now in half-guard.
He looks to attack the neck but Laia gets out. St. Louis peppers
him with short punches and as Laia tries to get up, St. Louis trips
him and returns him to the canvas. Laia works to control St. Louis’
wrists but he is merely defending from damage, nothing else. With
about 90 seconds left, Laia appears to have accepted defeat. Laia
tries to get up, but St. Louis easily pushes him back down, landing
a few small punches. That’s St. Louis’ strategy here; make sure to
secure position first and foremost, then land a few small punches.
With 35 seconds left, he feels more secure and postures up, landing
several hard punches from both arms. He opens up with 15 seconds
left but this allows Laia to scramble out, though he ends the bout
on his back, anyways.

Sherdog Scores

Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis (30-27 St. Louis)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis (30-27 St. Louis)
Mike Fridley scores the round: 10-9 St. Louis (30-27 St. Louis)

The Official Result

Kendly St. Louis def. Paulo Henrique Laia via Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 30-27, 30-27)