Canadian welterweight Rory MacDonald has a new opponent for his PFL 2022 semifinal fight this weekend at PFL 8.
MacDonald (23-9-1), a former Bellator MMA champion and UFC title challenger, had been expected to face Magomed Umalatov (12-0) atop this Saturday’s card in Cardiff, Wales. However, with Umalatov unable to secure a visa for the U.K., the Russian fighter has been replaced by Dilano Taylor (9-2).
PFL officials announced the news via press release on Thursday.
Taylor, who joined the PFL by way of the Challenger Series earlier this year, went 1-1 during the league’s regular season. He started off with a split decision win against Joao Zeferino, then fell to Magomed Magomedkerimov in his second fight.
That’s not the only switch-up to this Saturday’s event. Also unable to secure a visa was heavyweight Denis Goltsov. He’s now out of his semifinal fight opposite Matheus Scheffel, and has been replaced by former UFC fighter Juan “The Kraken” Adams.
Adams was a late addition to the PFL 2022 season, coming in as a tournament replacement and immediately making his presence felt. He stopped Sam Kei by TKO in the second round of their July contest to earn five points, landing just shy of the post-season.
With the latest changes to the PFL 8 card, it now breaks down as follows:
ESPN+ Postlims
Will Fleury vs. Anthony Salamone
Vojto Barborik vs. Radu Maxim
Moktar Benkaci vs. Francesco Nuzzi
ESPN Card
Rory MacDonald vs. Dilano Taylor
Ante Delija vs. Renan Ferreira
Matheus Scheffel vs. Juan Adams
Sadibou Sy vs. Carlos Leal
Nathan Kelly vs. Ben Ellis
ESPN+ Prelims
Joshua O’Connor vs. Emran Sakhizada
Mick Stanton vs. Marcin Wojcik
Chris Mixan vs. Christian Stigenberg
Hatef Moeil vs. Szymon Bajor
Lee Chadwick vs. Przemyslaw Mysiala
