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Swedish Sadibou Sy fights for PFL title and $1 million – A closer look at the 2022 PFL Championship finalists
Sadibou Sy. Photo via Instagram (@sadibousy)
On November 25, twelve fighters will step into the PFL cage at the Hulu Theater in New York City, with the intention to win the title as well as $1 million cash prize.
Each of the finalist’s has their own path to the finals.
Some stormed through the season, defeating each and everyone the promotion put in front of them, while other fighters had a much bumpier ride. Some even jumped in as short notice replacements, fighting their way to the finals against all odds.
Let’s take a closer look at the PFL fighters competing in the finals!
Featherweight: Brendan Loughnane
Brendan Loughnane has a record of 25-4 and has won seven of his eight PFL fights. On November 25, he will face Bubba Jenkins in the finals.
During the regular season he defeated Ryoji Judo via technical decision, and Ago Huskic via unanimous decision. In the playoffs Defeated Chris Wade via unanimous decision.
Featherweight: Bubba Jenkins
Bubba Jenkins has a record of 19-4 and will face Brendan Loughnane in the finals.
During the regular season he defeated Kyle Bochniak and Reinaldo Ekson, both via unanimous decision. In the playoffs Jenkins defeated Ryoji Kudo via submission (rear-naked choke).
Women’s lightweight: Larissa Pacheco
Larissa Pacheco has a record of 18-4 and rides a five-fight winning streak. Two of her losses came against Kayla Harrison, who she will face on November 25.
During the regular season he defeated Marina Mokhnatkina via unanimous decision and TKO’d Kaitlin Young. In the playoffs Pacheco defeated Martina Jindrova via a first-round submission (arm-triangle choke).
Women’s lightweight: Kayla Harrison
Undefeated two-tome PFL champion Kayla Harrison has a record of 15-0 and already defeated her next opponent twice. She’s also a former two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo. At the Hulu Theater she will face Larissa Pacheco for a third time.
During the regular season Harrison defeated Marina Mokhnatkina via unanimous decision and Kaitlin Young via TKO. In the playoffs she defeated Martina Jindrova via a first-round submission (arm-triangle choke).
Lightweight: Stevie Ray
Stevie Ray has a record of 25-10, that includes back-to-back wins over former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis during 2022. In the finals he will face Olivier Aubin-Mercier.
During the regular season he lost to Alex Martinez via unanimous decision, but won against Anthony Pettis via submission. In the playoffs he defeated Anthony Pettis via unanimous decision.
Lightweight: Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Former UFC fighter Olivier Aubin-Mercier has a professional record of 16-5 and will face Stevie Ray in the finals.
During the regular season he won against Natan Schulte via split decision and defeated Raush Manfio via unanimous decision. In the playoffs Aubin-Mercier defeated Alex Martinez via unanimous decision.
Welterweight: Dilano Taylor
Dilano Taylor has a professional record of 10-2 and had a remarkable season, taking all three fights on short notice. His opponent in the finals will be Swedish striking sensation Sadibou Sy.
During the regular season, Taylor won against Joao Zeferino via split decision and defeated Magomed Magomedkerimov via TKO. In the playoffs he defeated Rory MacDonald via a first-round TKO (punches).
Welterweight: Sadibou Sy
Swedish welterweight Sadibou Sy is a veteran in the promotion as one of the few fighters who fought in all four PFL tournaments. The Swede has a professional record of 12-6-2 and is known for his flawless kickboxing. In the finals he will face Dilano Taylor.
During the regular season Sy won against Nikolay Aleksakhin via split decision and defeated Rory MacDonald via unanimous decision. In the playoffs he defeated Carlos Leal via unanimous decision.
Read more: Striking sensation Sadibou Sy ready to score gold and win ‘tons of money’ in PFL championship
Light heavyweight: Rob Wilkinson
Light heavyweight Rob Wilkinson has a professional record of 16-2 and has not lost a fight since he was TKO’d by Israel Adesanya back in 2018. On November 25, he will face Omari Akhmedov in the finals.
During the regular season Wilkinson defeated Bruce Souto and Viktor Pesta via TKO. In the playoffs, he knocked out Delan Monte in the first round.
Light heavyweight: Omari Akhmedov
Former UFC fighter Omari Akhmedov has a record of 24-7-1, with 3-1 in PFL, and will face Rob Wilkinson in the finals.
During the regular season Akhmedov defeated Viktor Pesta via TKO and Teodoras Aukstuolis via submission. In the playoffs he won against Josh Silveira via unanimous decision.
Heavyweight: Matheus Scheffel
Heavyweight finalist Matheus Scheffel has a record of 17-8. His last loss came against Ante Delija, who he will face again on November 25.
During the regular season Scheffel lost to Ante Delija via TKO and defeated Bruno Cappelozza via unanimous decision. In the playoffs he stopped Juan Adams via TKO (punches).
Heavyweight: Ante Delija
November 25 will be the second time Ante Delija fights for the PFL title and one million dollars. Last year, Delija lost the title bout against Bruno Cappelozza. The Croatian heavyweight has a record of 22-5 going into the finals to square off against Matheus Scheffel.
During the regular season Delija defeated Matheus Scheffel via TKO and Renan Ferreira via unanimous decision. In the playoffs he finished Renan Ferreira via a first-round TKO (ground-and-pound).
2022 PFL Championships finals
- Women’s lightweight: Kayla Harrison vs. Larissa Pacheco
- Lightweight: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Stevie Ray
- Light heavyweight: Omari Akhmedov vs. Rob Wilkinson
- Heavyweight: Ante Delija vs. Matheus Scheffel
- Featherweight: Bubba Jenkins vs. Brendan Loughnane
- Welterweight: Sadibou Sy vs. Dilano Taylor
Read more: Samuel Bark feuding with UFC star Paddy Pimblett, social media beef HEATING UP following KO win
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