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Round 1
Bantamweights Ruiz and Uchegbu face off to open up the evening,
with Britain’s own Marc Goddard set to officiate. Ruiz is in
southpaw stance; Uchegbu orthodox. Ruiz comes forward with a couple
of outside leg kicks. Ruiz lands a straight left. Ruiz grabs a
single-leg, goes high-crotch and dumps Uchegbu to the canvas. Ruiz
lands a couple of short punches, then takes the taller man’s back
as he tries to stand. Ruiz sinks both hooks, then locks up a body
triangle from back mount. Half the round gone, and Ruiz is in total
control, throwing right hands to the head as Goddard tells Uchegbu
to do something. Uchegbu escapes the body triangle, but Ruiz still
on top, near the base of the fence. Uchegbu manages to stand, but
Ruiz is still holding him to the fence. A minute left, Uchegbu
spins Ruiz around and takes him down with a double-leg, but the
Spaniard pops right back up. Uchegbu is bent at Ruiz’s waist, while
Ruiz holds onto a front headlock. Ruiz trips Uchegbu to the canvas
again. The bell sounds. 10-8 Ruiz.
Round 2
Uchegbu is the aggressor to open Round 2, coming forward with a
long jab and right cross. Uchegbu grabs a high single-leg, and Ruiz
counters with another front choke. Uchegbu gives up on the attempt,
but tries again seconds later. Uchegbu changes to a double-leg,
then back to a single. At the midpoint of the round, the stalemate
continues at the fence, but Uchegbu finally pulls Ruiz’s hips away
from the cage and deposits him on the ground. Ruiz uses an
interesting arm grip to sweep to top position. Uchegbu tries an
elevator sweep, but Ruiz takes the chance to pass to half guard.
Ruiz is working for mount, but Uchegbu’s long legs have so far
thwarted him. Ruiz lands a couple of short rights to the head
before the bell. 10-9 Ruiz.
Round 3
Uchegbu comes forward with a flying knee, then shoots for an
immediate takedown. They go down, but Ruiz hits an outside switch
to take top position, and they return to their feet seconds later.
Uchegbu continues working for a takedown against the fence, but
Ruiz reverses him and shoves him into the cage with an underhook.
Two minutes in, the two are still tied up at the fence. Uchegbu
reverses Ruiz and lands a pair of punches and a head kick that hurt
him. Uchegbu drops for a takedown and gets it, grounding him at the
base of the fence. Uchegbu is above the seated Ruiz, but Ruiz
stands back up, giving up his back as he does. Sixty seconds left,
and Uchegbu pulls Ruiz back to the ground, sinking one hook as he
does so. Ruiz goes for a leg attack, but Uchegbu extracts his leg
easily and they stand back up. Uchegbu is holding onto a single-leg
at the 10-second clapper, and the fight ends that way. 10-9 Uchegbu
(29-27 Ruiz).
The Official Result
Zebenzui Ruiz def. Raphael Uchegbu via Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 29-27)
Round 1
Chizov and Hussein set up in orthodox and southpaw, respectively,
with Rich Mitchell drawing the referee assignment. Chizov lands the
first hard strike of the fight, a long straight right. Chizov
throws a head kick that comes up short. Chizov with heavy forward
pressure as the taller Hussein circles the outside of the cage.
Hussein lands an inside low kick. Chizov lands a right hand that
staggers Hussein, but as Chizov gives chase, Hussein changes levels
for a takedown. Chizov rolls through and lands on top, in Hussein’s
full guard. Hussein closes his guard, then opens up and tries for a
triangle choke, but Chizov stands up. Chizov throws a knee to the
body that clearly hurts Hussein. Chizov stalks forward as we pass
the four-minute mark of Round 1. Chizov catches a kick and throws a
punch that knocks the Palestinian down, off balance. Hussein shoots
a double-leg and runs Chizov to the canvas. Hussein snares a tight
guillotine choke and wraps up his guard, but the bell sounds
seconds later. 10-9 Chizov.
Round 2
Chizov once again comes forward, walking Hussein down and throwing
punches. Hussein tries for a takedown, Chizov sprawls, but Hussein
gets him down on the re-shoot. Hussein lands in side control,
exerting heavy pressure chest on chest. Hussein appears to be
working for an arm-triangle choke setup. Chizov gives up his back,
and Hussein sinks one hook. Hussein works for a rear-naked choke,
gives it up to throw a couple of punches, then goes back to the
choke, closing up a body triangle from back mount as he does so.
Three minutes in, Chizov spins into Hussein’s guard, stands and
throws a huge standing-to-ground punch. He dives back down and
cinches up an arm-triangle choke of his own. Chizov gives up on the
choke but moves to mount and starts raining down punches. Referee
Mitchell yells at Hussein to defend himself. Hussein bucks, and
Chizov takes his back and applies a rear-naked choke. Seconds
later, Hussein taps. Impressive stuff from the young
man from Latvia.
The Official Result
Alex Chizov def. Omar Hussein Abufarah R2 4:12 via Submission
(Rear-Naked Choke)
Round 1
Austin and Boukichou square off and get to work under the direction
of referee Gary Copeland. They exchange jabs out of matching
orthodox stances, then Boukichou steps in and clinches. Judo
specialist Austin obliges him by promptly tripping him to the
canvas. Austin is in half guard, well out to the side of the
Frenchman, looking to pin his far wrist. Austin moves to an outside
leg ride on the kneeling Boukichou, then takes the back and sinks
one hook. Boukichou works for a kimura from underneath. Under two
minutes left, and Boukichou is still on bottom but has avoided
taking any real damage. Boukichou turns and stands, and Austin
pushes him into the fence. Austin grabs a body lock and tries to
take Boukichou down, and Boukichou defends with a kimura, landing
in mount. He throws a couple of punches to Austin’s head, then
takes the back. He’s riding Austin like a rodeo bronco, throwing
punches, when the bell sounds. 10-9 Boukichou.
Round 2
The heavyweights paw at one another with jabs early in Round 2.
Boukichou comes forward and clinches, perhaps in search of a
takedown, but gives up on it quickly. Boukichou grabs a snatch
single, which Austin defends easily. Austin shoves Boukichou to the
cage and holds him there with an underhook. Austin stomps the foot
of the Frenchman, using head position to stand him straight up.
They spin away from the fence and Boukichou shoots for a
single-leg. Austin defends with a front headlock and they
disengage. Austin comes in for a double-leg behind a one-two, then
switches to a single. Boukichou defends with a kimura, but Austin
drops him to his knees. Boukichou releases the arm and sits against
the fence, denying Austin access to his back. Austin gets Boukichou
on his side, in loose half guard. Boukichou secures another kimura
grip, using it to stop Austin from moving to mount. Austin is on
top, in Boukichou’s half guard, when the round ends. 10-9
Austin.
Round 3
Neither man throws any significant offense for the first 30
seconds, until Austin lands a solid jab. Austin drops for a
double-leg against the fence, and Boukichou once again defends by
attacking the Englishman’s arm. Austin extricates his arm and
completes the takedown, settling into Boukichou’s guard at the base
of the cage. Austin lands a couple of left hands to the head, then
a right to the body. Austin traps the right wrist of Boukichou with
his left hand and scoots him to the fence. Austin passes to half
guard, while Boukichou hunts for a two-on-one. Boukichou goes to
stand, but Austin threatens to take his back, so Boukichou goes to
his knees with his back to the fence. He tries again, and this time
Austin takes his back. Boukichou ties up Austin’s hands, preventing
any real ground-and-pound, but can’t do much else. The 10-second
clapper sounds as Austin gets in a couple of hard shots. The final
bell sounds. 10-9 Austin (29-28 Austin).
The Official Result
Stuart Austin def. Sofiane Boukichou via Split Decision (30-27,
29-28, 28-29)
Round 1
It’s the UK vs. Brazil, as undefeated light heavyweight prospects
Powell and Fagundes take the cage. Marc Goddard draws the first
assignment of the PFL 9 main card. Both fighters are in orthodox
stance, and it’s Powell who strikes first with a long jab. Powell
lands an outside leg kick, then another. Fagundes is stalking,
feinting, but hasn’t thrown much of consequence through the first
minute. Fagundes lands a right cross, then throws a murderous left
hook that misses. Powell lands another hard calf kick. Powell snaps
back the head of Fagundes with a hard jab. Fagundes charges forward
and clinches. Powell reverses him against the fence. Fagundes has
double overhooks, then switches to an over-under. Ninetly seconds
left in the round, they’re still against the fence, jockeying for
position but not throwing much in the way of offense. They
disengage and Fagundes resumes walking Powell down. Powell lands a
high kick, but Fagundes wades in and hits Powell with a two-punch
combo. Fagundes comes forward again, and Powell times him for an
easy takedown. Powell is in Fagundes’ full guard, then stands up
and dives in with a couple of hard punches at the bell. 10-9
Powell.
Round 2
They exchange a few glancing jabs and Powell lands a low kick, then
Powell steps forward, clinches and trips Fagundes to the canvas. He
can’t get much done there before Fagundes gets back up. Powell
lands a hard kick to the outside of Fagundes’ lead left leg that
has the Brazilian stumbling badly, then another that takes his leg
out from under him. Powell stands back as Goddard motions Fagundes
back up, and the left leg is clearly toast.
Powell lands another calf kick and Fagundes goes back down.
Fagundes does not appear to be trying to stand, and Goddard waves
it off. Nasty work by the undefeated Brit, taking the
wheels completely out from under Fagundes with only about six total
kicks.
The Official Result
Simeon Powell def. Joao Paulo Fagundes R2 1:56 via TKO (Leg
Kicks)
Round 1
The first women’s lightweight semifinal pits 2019 runner-up and
current top seed Pacheco, facing fourth-seeded Kolesnyk for a berth
in the final and—if the odds are any indication—perhaps a third
shot at upending Kayla Harrison. These two met 14 months ago, with
Pacheco winning by first-round knockout. Rich Mitchell is the
referee for the rematch. Kolesnyk is in southpaw stance, Pacheco
orthodox. Kolesnyk is circling near the fence as Pacheco stalks
her. In contrast to their wild first fight, both women are
tentative so far. Pacheco lands a three-piece combination that has
Kolesnyk backing off, but as the Brazilian gives chase, she runs
right into a counter hook.
Two minutes in, Pacheco walks Kolesnyk into the fence, where she
crushes her with a left hook. Kolesnyk goes down and Pacheco lays
on a stream of uppercuts until referee Mitchell interposes
himself. Another first-round stoppage for Larissa
Pacheco over Helena Kolesnyk.
The Official Result
Larissa Pacheco def. Helena Kolesnyk R1 2:09 via TKO
(Punches)
Round 1
It’s a grudge match in the second featherweight semifinal, as
top-seeded Wade and No. 4 Loughnane face off for bragging
rights—and a date with Bubba Jenkins in the November final. Gary
Copeland is on duty, charged with keeping things as clean as
possible. Both men set up in orthodox stance, though Loughnane
periodically switches to southpaw in the early going. Wade charges
in and drives Loughnane to the fence, where he grinds the crown of
his head into the Mancunian’s chin, as the two grapple there.
Loughnane throws a shoulder shrug to the face. They break away from
the fence and Wade goes upstairs with a head kick that stuns
Loughnane. He runs in and grabs a scarf hold, then ends up hustling
Loughnane to the floor. Wade is in Loughnane’s full guard, trying
to posture up and drop punches, but Loughnane explodes back to his
feet. Loughnane catches Wade coming in with a clean punch, then
another. The crowd responds with volume, but Wade grabs a
single-leg and runs him to the fence. Wade has the single, but
Loughnane defends ably, and after a lengthy stalemate they reset in
the center of the cage. Loughnane tags Wade with a couple of calf
kicks and a right hand. Loughnane shoots a single-leg and drops
Wade to his seat at the base of the fence. Wade defends with a
front headlock, and pops back to his feet before the bell. 10-9
Wade.
Round 2
Loughnane zaps Wade with a left jab, then a step-in knee. Wade
throws a head kick that goes completely over the head of the
ducking Loughnane. Loughnane lands another calf kick, then another
jab that brings blood from the nose of the American. Loughnane
lands the jab again. Wade comes up short with a sweeping hook, and
Loughnane hits him with a one-two. Wade steps in and clinches, but
Loughnane shucks him off. Loughnane’s jab is absolutely glued to
Wade’s face, and he’s throwing it from both stances. Loughnane goes
upstairs with a glancing head kick which Wade catches, but
Loughnane pulls his leg back before Wade can pursue a takedown.
Ninety seconds left in the round and Wade catches an oncoming
Loughnane with an uppercut. Loughnane lands another left jab, then
yet another. Loughnane with a left calf kick. Wade throws a hook
kick upstairs that lands with a slap, then eats one more jab before
the bell. 10-9 Loughnane.
Round 3
Wade comes forward with a one-two, and Loughnane answers with a
jab. Wade gets his left arm behind Loughnane’s head and gives him
three quick hockey-style uppercuts. Loughnane lands a flush right
cross that hurts Wade, then a left. Loughnane is back in rhythm,
touching Wade with both hands almost at will. Wade throws a flying
knee that comes up short. Wade feints a level change, then rushes
forward, pushing Loughnane to the cage. Loughnane circles out right
away and they return to the center of the cage. Loughnane stings
Wade with another jab, then a body kick. Wade shoves him to the
fence, but Loughnane again frees himself and gets back to the
middle of the cage. Under a minute left and Wade shoves Loughnane
to the cage once again, where Loughnane reverses him. Wade has an
overhook and looks to throw some knees, but Loughnane is punching
him with the left as time expires. 10-9 Loughnane (29-28
Loughnane).
The Official Result
Brendan Loughnane def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27), setting up a Jenkins vs. Loughnane featherweight
final.
Round 1
The last semifinal of PFL 9, and of the 2022 season, features
two-time defending lightweight champ Harrison against Jindrova, the
latest prohibitive underdog to attempt to upend the American
judoka. On the far side of this matchup is a slot in the final
opposite Pacheco, who thrashed Helena Kolesnyk earlier tonight.
Marc Goddard is the referee. Jindrova is bouncing on the balls of
her feet, scooting laterally around the outside of the cage as
Harrison stalks from the center. Jindrova catches Harrison coming
in with a left hand. Harrison catches a kick and tosses Jindrova to
the ground, landing in side control, working to pin Jindrova’s near
arm. Harrison moves to north-south, then moves to side control on
the other side, high on Jindrova’s chest. Harrison steps into mount
and drops a couple of punches and forearm strikes while Jindrova
bucks underneath her. Halfway through the round, Jindrova has
avoided much damage, but Harrison is in total control.
Harrison postures up for a couple more punches, then secures an
arm-triangle choke. Rather than jump out to the side, Harrison
stays in mount, torques it, and elicits the tap.
Complete domination from Kayla Harrison, and we have another
Harrison vs. Pacheco final.
The Official Result
Kayla Harrison def. Martina Jindrova R1 3:17 via Submission
(Arm-Triangle Choke)