Jay-Jay Wilson and Mads Burnell competed in the PFL Lightweight World Tournament on Friday, with both competitors being former Bellator prospects. Burnell had gone 4-1 in his last five coming into this contest, which came on the main card of PFL 3 in Orland.
Wilson was coming off an extended layoff due in part to a failed drug test later to be confirmed as a unique case of contamination – from a shared vape pen.
To start the opening round Wilson pressured forward and looked to land a takedown attempt against the cage. Burnell reversed the position and ended up on top landing effective ground and pound. Burnell controlled Wilson against the fence with three minutes remaining in the round, with the clinch work of Burnell looked good.
As the two fighters separated from the cage Wilson caught Burnell with a solid left hook the Denmark fighter didn’t see coming. This shot forced Burnell to retreat as Wilson poured on the volume. Burnell was able to get the fight back to the clinch before getting taken down against the fence with a minute left in the opening frame. A wild opening five minutes saw Burnell start fast, but get rocked and controlled on the ground for the second half of the round. Due to damage the first round looked to go to Wilson.
In the second, Wilson was the aggressor to start securing a takedown in the opening minute. Wilson remained in side control for a considerable amount of time, landing glancing blows in the process. Burnell is known as a solid grappler, but was having a difficult time getting back to his feet. This was turning into a dominant round for Jay-Jay Wilson, who threatened multiple submissions throughout the second and finished with big elbows on top. Possibly a 10-8 round for Wilson depending on the judging. Burnell needed a finish in the third to keep his tournament hopes alive.
Straight away to start the third Wilson again came forward and landed a takedown within fifteen seconds. Wilson remained on top in the full guard position, looking to work the body and head of Burnell. Another lopsided round in favor of Wilson who remained in top control for the entire round. Burnell couldn’t find an answer to get back to his feet and was starting to take big punishment on the ground. Wilson started to pour it on landing viscous elbows to the body and head of Burnell. Veteran referee Brian Miner called a stop to the contest with 18 seconds left in the third round.
This advances Jay-Jay Wilson into the second round of the PFL world tournament, as he is scheduled to face the winner of Marc Diakiese and Gadzhi Rabadanov next. This was Wilson’s fourth win in a row, as he is quickly making a name for himself on the biggest stage of his career.
Official Result: Jay-Jay Wilson def. Mads Burnell by TKO, Round 3, 4:42
