The Professional Fighters League’s 2021 post-season got underway Friday, with PFL Playoffs 1. The card, hosted at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, was capped off by a welterweight semifinal between defending 2019 champ Ray Cooper III, and former Bellator MMA champion Rory MacDonald.
In the co-main event of the evening was the division’s other semifinal, with Magomed Magomedkerimov, the promotion’s 2018 champ, up against Sadibou Sy, stepping in as a short-notice replacement.
Lightweight action comprised the other two main card fights. Those two semifinals featured Clay Collard against Raush Manfio, while Loik Radzhaboz took on Alex Martinez.
With the PFL Playoffs featuring just a single fight this year, it was do or die on Friday night, with a spot in the finale awaiting the winners.
Check below for full results from Friday night’s action!
PFL Playoffs 1: Cooper III vs. MacDonald Results
Ray Cooper III def. Rory MacDonald by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) — welterweight semifinal
Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Sadibou Sy by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) — welterweight semifinal
Raush Manfio def. Clay Collard by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) — lightweight semifinal
Loik Radzhabov def. Alexander Martinez by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) — lightweight semifinal
Preliminary card
Gleison Tibau def. Micah Terrill by technical submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 1, 2:18
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Darrell Horcher by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-26, 29-27)
Brett Cooper def. Tyler Hill by knockout, Round 1, 2:32
Magomed Umalatov def. Leandro Silva by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Michael Lombardo def. Kyron Bowen by TKO (leg kicks), Round 1, 3:42
Elvin Espinoza def. Hopeton Stewart by technical submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:45
