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PFL 2022 | Inside the lightweight division

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Despite it being the women’s lightweight and men’s welterweight divisions time to shine on Friday, May 6th, a lightweight clash between between Anthony Pettis and Ireland’s own Myles Price is stealing the limelight for UK and Irish viewers. Ahead of the bout, we take a look inside the lightweight division and weigh-up who could come out on top as the season progresses.

Anthony Pettis (24-12)

A former UFC and WEC champion, Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis was a big signing for the PFL in its last season. Without a win in the promotion after losing to Clay Collard and Raush Manfio, Pettis entered last season off the back of two wins in the UFC over Donald Cerrone and Alex Morono. Everyone knows that you can never count Pettis out in a fight and he gets the chance to start over in the PFL with his opening bout against Ireland’s Myles Price.

Clay Collard (21-9, 1 NC)

After leaving the UFC and competing in Boxing for several years, Collard stepped into the PFL and has instantly made an impact as a fan favourite. After beating Pettis in the opening round last season, Collard made it to the semi-finals before losing to Manfio. He once again kicked off the season with an incredible fight, taking on another former UFC debutant in Jeremy Stephens. ‘Cassius’ Clay Collard is without a finish so far in the PFL but is never in a dull fight because of his boxing output.

Jeremy Stephens (28-20)

One of the most devastating finishers the UFC has ever seen, ‘Lil Heathen’ finally saw his UFC run come to an end after five straight losses. With 19 of his pro wins coming via KO/TKO, his highlight reel is one of the very best in MMA period. His PFL debut delivered and then some with a war against Clay Collard that set the tone for this season. Tied with Anderson Silva for the second-most knockdowns in UFC history, it’s only a matter of time before Stephens finds a finish in his new home.

Raush Manfio (16-3)

The reigning champion of this division, Raush Manfio proved exactly why he has that status in his first fight of this season. After likely losing the first two rounds to Don Madge, Manfio pulled out a huge overhand right to stop Madge and claim some points on the board. His opponent in the final last season, Loik Radzhabov, is no longer with the promotion but winning the tournament for a second time will be an extremely tough task for the Brazilian.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (14-5)

After debuting in the UFC in his fifth pro fight and competing there 12 times, Aubin-Mercier became a free agent in 2019 after losing three in a row. The Canadian is currently 3-0 in the PFL, picking up two wins last year and getting three points on the board this season with a split decision win over Natan Schulte. Yet to be finished in 19 fights, Aubin-Mercier is a tough fight for anyone in the division and he’s off to a good start.

Stevie Ray (23-10)

A former UFC and Cage Warriors fighter, Scotland’s Stevie Ray lost his opening contest to Alex Martinez but his resume in the UFC speaks for itself. Wins over the likes of Michael Johnson, Joe Lauzon and Ross Pearson kept ‘Braveheart’ in the UFC for 11 fights. Now with his back somewhat against the wall after losing his PFL debut, it’s time for the Scotsman to do what he’s done so many times in his career and rebound with a win.

Don Madge (10-4-1)

South Africa’s ‘Magic Man’, Don Madge is a very exciting prospect in this division. After competing in EFC, Madge was signed to the UFC and picked up two wins over Te Edwards and Fares Ziam. After four cancelled bouts in a row, Madge left the UFC and picked up a debut PFL win over Nathan Williams. Whilst he lost his first fight of the season after being caught by Manfio, Madge put in a great performance up to the point of the overhand. Though he may have taken a loss, the rest of the division will surely be alerted by how effective Madge looked against the reigning champion.

Alexander Martinez (9-2, 1 NC)

Returning for a second run in the PFL lightweight division, Martinez’s first season ended with a 1-2 record. He got off to a great start by beating Loik Radzhabov via a split decision and losing the next bout to Natan Schulte by another split decision. Facing Radzhabov for a second time in the next round, this time the decision went the other way. Martinez rounded out his PFL record as 2-2 by starting the season with another win, this time over Stevie Ray. 

Natan Schulte (21-5-1)

A true veteran of the PFL tournament, Schulte is a two-time winner at 155 pounds. Winning back-to-back tournaments in 2018 and 2019, the Brazilian is 10-2-1 with the promotion with four submission wins. Last season, Schulte went 1-1 before having several cancelled fights that kept him out of the rest of the tournament. Schulte will be looking to reclaim what was once his after Manfio became champion in his absence. 

Myles Price (11-7)

Ireland’s ‘Magic’ Myles Price has picked up some of the best wins of his career in recent fights and has a huge chance to make a statement in his PFL debut. After beating Peter Queally in his last fight in Bellator, Price will face former UFC and WEC champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis. Price has had some issues with inactivity in his career after having four cancelled fights between 2016-2018 and being unable to fight since the start of the pandemic. His last fight against Queally came in February of 2019 and he will now return after several years away from the cage with the biggest fight of his career.

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

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Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

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