The MMA Pro League held its inaugural event on Saturday, which saw Team Pennsylvania easily cruise to victory over Team New Jersey.
While the PFL has been at the forefront of league-based MMA in 2018, it’s not alone. On Saturday, the MMA Pro League held its inaugural event in Atlantic City, NJ. The league, founded by MMA promoter Hani Darwish and former HBO Sports executive Mark Taffet, plans on a total of five events in 2018, with the Hard Rock Resort and Casino in Atlantic City hosting the first. Unlike the PFL, which is still an individual based competition, fighters in the MMA Pro League belong to teams.
Saturday’s card saw Team New Jersey (coached by former UFC fighter Dan Miller, brother of lightweight Jim) take on Team Pennsylvania (led by Daniel Gracie). In the end, the crew from Pennsylvania came out on top, 14-6 in terms of points. Points are awarded based on the type of victory: three for a decision, four for a submission, and five for a knockout.
That should ruffle some feathers in the BJJ community. MMA Pro League airs exclusively on Flo Combat.
Check below for results and a gallery of highlights courtesy of the MMA Pro League!
MMA Pro League: Team Pennsylvania vs. Team New Jersey Results
Kevin Sears (Team New Jersey) def. Ahmed Samir (Team Pennsylvania) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 29-27)
Rafael Celestino (Team Pennsylvania) def. Emmanuel Walo (Team New Jersey) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).
Zedekiah Montanez (Team Pennsylvania) def. Mike Pagano (Team New Jersey) by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Claudio Ledesma (Team New Jersey) def. Andre Bernardo (Team Pennsylvania) by unanimous decision (29-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Hier (Team Pennsylvania) def. Gabriel Ruiz (Team New Jersey) by TKO, Roun 2, 3:43
Joseph Penafiel (Team Pennsylvania) def. Turpal Khamzayev (Team New Jersey) by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
