The Professional Fighters League returned to action Thursday night with PFL 5 in Long Island, featuring the second fight of the season for the promotion’s light heavyweights and lightweights.
PFL 5 was the second show in a row going down at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY for the Professional Fighters League. It also boasted the second fights of the season for the 205lb and 155lb weight classes. However, due to a blown weight cut, the card was quickly down a bout, as Efrain Escudero came in well over the lightweight limit, clocking in at roughly 163lbs. Escudero, who also missed weight for his first bout against Jason High at PFL 2 (but was allowed to compete by the commission in Illinois), was yanked from the card. That resulted in an eight-fight card Thursday night, and an automatic three points for opponent Islam Mamedov.
The main event, meanwhile, underwent a late shakeup when Brian Foster was forced off the card due to illness. In his places comes High, who was submitted by Escudero at PFL 2.
Check back come fight time for full results and a main card recap from PFL 5 in Long Island!
Rashid Magomedov vs. Luiz Firmino
Both fighters started by feeling each other out, Magomedov with a kick that was blocked by Fimino. Firmino fired a combination back and they started to engage. Firmino quickly went for the takdown and transitioned to Magomedov’s back. Firmino worked for the choke and looked to open Magomedov up with punches. Magomedov defended well, blocking the punches and defending the choke attempts. Both men remained active, but Magomedov exploded turned into Firmino and took top position. Magomedov worked into half guard and started to land shots to Firmino’s body as the bell sounded to bring an end to the round.
To start the second Magomedov fired a leg kick which Firmino answered with one of his own. Firmino looked to put the leg kicks to work as Magomedov started to open up with his boxing — jabs and body shots. Firmino advanced missing a combination. Magomedov landed a strong right. Magomedov landed a nice uppercut that Firmino walked through to land his own hard combination. Firmino shot for the take down and Magomedov scrambled to defend and keep it on the feet. Still on their feet, Firmino kept walking through Magomedov’s shots to land his own. Magomedov attacked with a left to the body then to Firmino’s head as the bell sounded.
Magomedov started with a hard uppercut in the third, but Firmino kept moving forward and attempted another take down that just missed. Both men were both opening up at this point with Magomedov just getting the better of the exchanges. Firmino landed a solid combination but Magomedov was quick to respond with a flurry of his own that pushed the Brazilian back. Firmino recovered quickly and again pushed the action as he shot for the take down, pressing Magomedov against the fence until the ref broke up the action. Back in center Magomedov fired off lefts and rights that looked to stagger Firmino for a second, but he quickly recovered and fired back. Magomedov was really working the jab and mixing kicks in. The final bell rang as the two exchanged a final flurry in the middle of the cage.
Rashid Magomedov def. Luiz Firmino by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Maxim Grishin vs. Rakim Cleveland
Will Brooks vs. Robert Watley
Brooks came out quick and took the middle of the cage, then opened with a leg kick. Watley responded but Brooks fired back again and attempted a take down that drove Watley back into the fence. The two worked for position against the fence in the clinch; Brooks was slightly more active until Brooks exploded with the body lock take down. Watley was quick to work back to his feet but Brooks stuck with him keeping him pressed into the fence. Brooks landed a trip that sent Watley to the mat but he bounced right back to his feet to land a knee. The two worked in the clinch again until the ref broke them up and got them back to center. A quick exchange saw Watley shoot a take down that drove through Brooks and sent him to the mat where they both worked for position as the ball sounded to end the action.
Wately landed a big punch that sent Brooks back into the fence in the second. Watley followed and two worked the clinch. Brooks was quick to work to Watley back but Watley kept calm and defended well as he got his back into the fence. One thing he couldn’t defend was Brooks using his power to lift Watley and plant him on the mat. Watley however bounced back to his feet only to be tripped again and again he bounced to his feet. The two continued to work the clinch and again Brooks landed the trip, this time he kept Watley on the mat and moved to his back landing punches and looking for the choke. Watley defended and for a moment Brooks looked to have had the choke locked in but Watley broke free and scrambled as the round came to a close.
Watley looked to press the action in the third but Brooks was quick to drop low; he grabbed his opponent’s leg and sent him into the fence. Brooks worked the body lock and took Watley to the mat where he quickly moved to his back, locked in the body triangle and looked for the choke again. Watley defended well but Brooks continued to pressure him on the ground with punches and multiple choke attempts. Watley spun and exploded to his feet but Brooks grabbed his wrist and looked for the standing kimura that he quickly gave up and moved to press Watley into the fence. The two broke with a quick exchange that had both miss the mark as the final bell sounded to end the fight.
Will Brooks def. Robert Watley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Vinny Magalhaes vs. Brandon Halsey
The co-main event saw a key light heavyweight pairing in action. Magalhaes opened with a quick kick that Halsey answered with a takedown. Magalhaes was quick to get back to his feet. Halsey pressed the action and threw some big right hands that Maghalhaes answered with a headkick that sent Halsey to the ground. Magalhaes pounced in an instant, took his back and started to throw shots. Halsey tried to defend but the damage was done and the Magalhaes didn’t stop throwing until the ref called a stop to the action.
Another first round finish for @VinnyMMA! He locks up the top seed in the PFL Light Heavyweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/gR0vaeipWH
— #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Vinny Magalhaes def. Brandon Halsey by TKO, Round 1, 1:34
Jason High vs. Nathan Schulte
Both men came out quick and fired leg kicks and combos with neither getting the better of the action. Schulte looked to land the right and High slipped out of range. Schulte kept moving forward with High countering. Schulte moved forward again and High landed a hip toss that sent him to the mat. Schulte was quick to feet and answered with his own take down but High was back up to feet quickly as well. They engaged again and clinched against the fence and battled for position some more. The two break and Schulte landed a well timed foot sweep that sent High to the ground with Schulte landing in half guard, but that didn’t last long as High moved him back to full guard until they scrambled and Schulte took High’s back locking in the choke. High fought it off as long as he could until he lost consciousness and the fight was stopped. Technical sub by Schulte!
Nathan Schulte def. Jason High by technical submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:18
PFL 5 Results:
Main Card (NBC SN)
Nathan Schulte def. Jason High by technical submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:18
Vinny Magalhaes def. Brandon Halsey by TKO, Round 1, 1:34
Will Brooks def. Robert Watley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Maxim Grishin def. Rakim Cleveland by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:03
Rashid Magomedov def. Luiz Firmino by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Preliminary card (Facebook Watch)
Chris Wade def. Yuki Kawana by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1, 4:24
Dan Spohn def. Artur Alibulatov by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
Thiago Tavares def. Arthur Estrázulas by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
