The heavyweight finale of the PFL’s 2019 season featured former UFC standout and decorated wrestler Jared Rosholt, against the undefeated Ali Isaev. Rosholt, who ran up a 6-2 record in the UFC before being sent packing thanks to his wrestling-heavy style, represented the toughest test to date for Isaev.

Rosholt opened the heavyweight finale with a probing leg kick. A second had a little more on it. A spinning kick from Isaev seemed to just miss Rosholt. Isaev then moved in for a takedown, getting wrestler Rosholt to his back. Isaev moved to side control, using a headlock, while Rosholt worked to escape. As they got back up, he pressed Isaev up against the cage. Isaev, however, managed to turn the tables, and soon, Rosholt was on his back again. Working back up, Rosholt was in a peculiar predicament: being beaten at his own game. Rosholt would throw out a couple of jabs, but a spinning back kick landed for Isaev.

The second round had Isaev walking Rosholt down – but moments later, he’d fan on a kick that would have been clearly illegal, as Rosholt was a downed opponent. Rosholt then stumbled getting back up, and wound up slammed by Isaev! On his back again, Rosholt ended up trapped in a crucifix. He’d survive, but Isaev wound up in half-guard, still in control, working the body and head with short punches. Not finishing blows, but enough to maintain his position. Indeed, he’d ride out the round on top.

Isaev fanned on a spinning kick to the body to open round three. Rosholt landed a couple of strikes, but was soon taken down once again. Rosholt would eventually escape, and close the distance with a few strikes, pressing Isaev up against the fence. But he was mostly ineffective, with Isaev finding far more success overall. However, the duo had slowed to a crawl by the end of the third, a striking attempt or two by Isaev not withstanding.

A wheel kick from Isaev opened round four, connecting upstairs on Rosholt. It didn’t have enough behind it to do serious damage, however. Rosholt instead pressed forward, putting Isaev against the fence. From there the American worked on a takedown. With that not forthcoming, the pair traded knees and short punches. A move back to center was followed by Isaev backing Rosholt up to the fence, then taking him down. The pair looked winded with a couple of minutes left in the fourth round. Isaev would get into guard and land some heavy left hands, and with a sudden surge of energy, he was able to do enough to secure the TKO win!

Official Result: Ali Isaev def. Jared Rosholt by TKO, Round 4, 4:09

The post PFL Championship 2019 Results: Ali Isaev Turns Tables on Jared Rosholt, Wrestles Way to Victory appeared first on Cageside Press.

Jared Rosholt. Ali Isaev. Emiliano Sordi. Jordan Johnson. Those are the last four finalists for the PFL 2019 post season. At PFL 9 2019, the table was set for Rosholt vs. Isaev, the heavyweight final, and Sordi vs. Johnson, its light heavyweight counterpart. Sordi, the top seed at 205lbs, arguably had the biggest night, finishing both his fights — he’s finished all of his wins in the PFL to date.

Check below for a gallery of highlights from PFL 9 2019. The finale takes place New Year’s Eve in New York City.

PFL 9 2019 Results

Main Card

Heavyweight: Ali Isayev def. Denis Goltsov by TKO (punches), Round 3, 4:59
Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Bazigit Atajev by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:26
Light Heavyweight: Jordan Johnson def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (30–26, 30–26, 29–27)
Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso def. Alex Nicholson by unanimous decision (20–17, 19–18, 19–18)
Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Satoshi Ishii by majority decision (19–19, 20–18, 20–18)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Muhammed Dereese by TKO (punches), Round 1, 3:41
Heavyweight: Ali Isayev def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (20–16, 20–17, 20–17)
Light Heavyweight: Rashid Yusupov def. Vinny Magalhães by KO (punches), Round 1, 2:46
Light Heavyweight: Maxim Grishin vs. Jordan Johnson ends in a majority draw
Light Heavyweight: Bazigit Atajev vs. Viktor Nemkov ends in a majority draw
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Sigi Pesaleli by TKO (punches), Round 1, 1:13

The post PFL 9 2019 Photo Highlights — Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights appeared first on Cageside Press.

These things happen. That might be the tagline of Jared Rosholt versus Kelvin Tiller at PFL 9 2019. The heavyweight semifinal fight was supposed to have a different look. Two of them, in fact. Originally, Rosholt was expected to face Francimar Barroso. However, the Brazilian was ruled medically ineligible to continue in the tournament. And so, via the lucky loser rule, Alex Nicholson, who Barosso had defeated, was given the nod.

Guess what happened then? If you chose “Nicholson was also ineligible to continue,” you win the kewpie doll. And so Tiller, who was defeated by Ali Isaev in quarterfinal action, found himself back in the mix. Against another wrestler. One he’d faced twice in 2018.

Tiller opened with a leg kick, while Rosholt did everything he could to lock on with a body lock. Eventually, he’d force Tiller up against the fence. When the fight did go down, Tiller was in a rough patch, Rosholt on top, looking for an arm-triangle choke. Tiller would manage to escape the choke, but remained on his back, Rosholt in half-guard. Rosholt’s wrestling would be the story of the opening round, and Tiller was going to need to flip the script in round two.

Early on, that didn’t seem to happen. While Tiller worked the jab, Rosholt got him right down. But Tiller threatened with a choke, and that allowed him back to his feet. And inside trip put him on his back moments later, however. Rosholt moved to half guard, and had plenty of time to work from there. Rosholt then stepped over to mount, briefly, but ended up back in half-guard.  At the end of the round, Tiller would escape to his feet, but something had to change in the third.

It didn’t. In the opening minute, Tiller found himself taken down. Rosholt landed a few hammerfists, and worked the body. He’d work to side control, ensuring he’d done enough for the ref not to stand them up. Tiller would throw up a hail mary triangle in the last minute, switch to the arm-bar, but when Rosholt pulled free, the winner was clear.

Rosholt now heads to the finals on New Year’s Eve.

Official Result: Jared Rosholt def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post PFL 9 2019 Results: Finale-Bound Jared Rosholt’s Wrestling Too Much for Kelvin Tiller appeared first on Cageside Press.

Former UFC heavyweight Jared Rosholt entered the PFL 2019 heavyweight quarterfinals against Muhammed DeReese as the seventh seed. With no stoppages since 2015, Rosholt was the underdog against DeReese at PFL 9 2019 on Halloween night — but he would weather an early storm to pull off the upset.

DeReese immediately opened with a leg kick that put Rosholt on his back. DeReese moved in and began dropping some ground n’ pound. Rosholt turned over, but that allowed DeReese to pound away with right hands. Rosholt, still on his back, stayed moving, covering up, at least preventing the ref from waving off the affair, but he was in a bad, bad spot. DeReese moved into half guard, dropping some hammerfists. Rosholt got to his knees, trying to use his opponent’s leg to work his way back up. That failed, and DeReese moved to side control. He then stepped into mount, with half the round remaining. However Rosholt made it up, and used a body lock to take DeReese down!

As dominant as DeReese had been early, Jared Rosholt’s experience made the difference. He took the back, flattened DeReese out, and began raining down lefts and rights from the top. DeReese could do nothing but cover up, unable to scramble or even roll over. Ref Herb Dean encouraged him to fight back, but that simply wasn’t going to happen — DeReese was stuck, pinned down under Rosholt’s weight. That forced the ref to wave it off, and Rosholt had a TKO win, despite being out-struck by a considerable margin.

Official Result: Jared Rosholt def. Muhammed DeReese by TKO, Round 1, 3:41

The post PFL 9 2019 Results: Jared Rosholt Earns First Finish Since 2015, Stops Muhammed DeReese appeared first on Cageside Press.

The PFL’s final regular season show has come and gone, and the playoff brackets are set for the big men. PFL 6 2019 saw heavyweight and light heavyweights throw down, with a number of big finishes. Alex Nicholson, after losing his first fight of the season to Francimar Barosso, was among the big winners, knocking out Zeke Tuinei-Wily in the first round. That sets up a rematch with Barosso in the post season.

Vinny Magalhaes also got back in the win column in a big way, and into the post-season. Magalheas submitted Rakim Cleveland in just under two minutes to earn six points, and ensure he’ll have a shot at a million dollars, should he make it through the playoffs.

Full results and standings are below, as well as a gallery of highlights from PFL 2019 Week 6!

PFL 6 2019 Results:

Main Card (ESPN+)

Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Satoshi Ishii by unanimous decision decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Vinny Magalhaes def. Rashid Cleveland by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 1:56
Light Heavyweight: Viktor Nemkov def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Ali Isaev def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Maxim Grishin def. Mikhail Mokhnatkin by knockout, Round 1, 0:48
Heavyweight: Muhammed DeReese def. Valdrin Istrefi by TKO, Round 1, 2:06
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Sidemar Honorio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso def. Ben Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (ESPN2)

Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Kelvin Tiller by submission (neck crack), Round 2, 3:40
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Bozigit Ataev by knockout, Round 1, 1:22
Heavyweight: Alex Nicholson def. Zeke Tuinei-Wily by TKO, Round 1, 3:07
Light Heavyweight: Jordan Johnson def. Sigi Pesaleli by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post PFL 6 2019: Photo Highlights from Atlantic City appeared first on Cageside Press.

Japanese Olympian and heavyweight Satoshi Ishii was a big signing for the PFL in 2019, and he came through in his season-opening fight, picking up three points toward the post-season. At PFL 6 2019 in Atlantic City on Thursday, Ishii, now training with Mirko Cro-Cop, and a Croatian citizen to boot, was in action against former UFC athlete and standout wrestler Jared Rosholt.

With a touch of the gloves, the main event was underway on Thursday, with Ishii and Rosholt going through a feeling out period. Ishii was on the outside, and Rosolt launched a kick that was blocked. Ishii then moved in, threw a bunch, and easily avoided a counter. The pace then slowed again, but this time, it was Rosholt on the outside. On an exchange, he initiated a clinch, and landed a knee on Ishii, but the Japanese fighter was no worse for the wear.

Rosholt, known for his wrestling, didn’t try for a takedown on the Olympian until later in the round, and didn’t get anywhere with it. The first frame finished with Ishii driving the American into the fence.

After not resorting to the takedown much in round one, Rosholt went right for it in the second. Ishii, however, was right back up. Later, it was Ishii taking the American down, ever so briefly. He’d then press Rosholt into the cage, until Rosholt broke free, and in a bit of an explosive moment, took the back, and got Ishii down. He’d add a little bit of offense in the way of punches while still controlling the back, but not much.

Round three saw a bit more action, with both men throwing at points. Problem being, both men were also tired, drenched with sweat. It likely would come down to who had more left in the tank. In the final two minutes, both were trading, albeit mostly single strikes, and nothing was landing clean enough to put the other down. Ishii would initiate a clinch, but Rosholt pushed him off, then re-engaged on his own terms.

In the end, it would go to the scorecards, and Rosholt would take the victory. Both he and Ishii will move to the post-season, in the final two playoff spots.

Jared Rosholt def. Satoshi Ishii by unanimous decision decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

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The sixth and final show of the PFL 2019 regular season went down Thursday night at the Oceans Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, NJ. Featuring the second fights for both light heavyweights and heavyweights, names like Satoshi Ishii and Kelvin Tiller would loom large at heavyweight. Vinny Magalhaes and Maxim Grishin were among the names at light heavyweight, meanwhile. And as an added bonus, the return of Umar Nurmagoemdov was also set, in a bantamweight clash with Sidemar Honorio. A cousin of UFC champ Khabib, the undefeated Umar is a hot prospect at the moment, with a 10-0 record.

PFL 6 2019 Results:

Main Card (ESPN+)

Heavyweight: Jared Rosholt def. Satoshi Ishii by unanimous decision decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Vinny Magalhaes def. Rashid Cleveland by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 1:56
Light Heavyweight: Viktor Nemkov def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Heavyweight: Ali Isaev def. Carl Seumanutafa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Light Heavyweight: Maxim Grishin def. Mikhail Mokhnatkin by knockout, Round 1, 0:48
Heavyweight: Muhammed DeReese def. Valdrin Istrefi by TKO, Round 1, 2:06
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov def. Sidemar Honorio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso def. Ben Edwards by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card (ESPN2)

Heavyweight: Denis Goltsov def. Kelvin Tiller by submission (neck crack), Round 2, 3:40
Light Heavyweight: Emiliano Sordi def. Bozigit Ataev by knockout, Round 1, 1:22
Heavyweight: Alex Nicholson def. Zeke Tuinei-Wily by TKO, Round 1, 3:07
Light Heavyweight: Jordan Johnson def. Sigi Pesaleli by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The post PFL 6 2019 — Light Heavyweights and Heavyweights: Live Results and Standings appeared first on Cageside Press.

The official weigh-in for PFL 6, 2019 edition took place today in Atlantic City, NJ. And continuing a recent trend for the Professional Fighters League, yet another athlete missed at the scales. This time out, it was former UFC fighter Ronny Markes, whose fight with Dan Spohn was pulled from the event as a result.

Spohn now gets the walkover win, and three points. Whether that’s enough to make it into the post-season won’t be known until Thursday night. Meanwhile, with no points in the regular season, Markes is effectively done, barring some miracle.

“Our heavyweights and light heavyweights had the highest early stoppage rates last season, and with playoff spots on the line, I expect that trend to continue,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of the PFL in a press release Wednesday. “With our format, nobody is out of contention, every fight matters, every round counts. A first-round win for our fighters with 0 points could mean a spot in the Playoffs. Once you’re in the Playoffs, anything can happen. You’re one step closer to a million dollars, and that drama will unfold tomorrow night.”

The PFL 6 2019 card goes down at the Oceans Resort and Casino on Thursday, August 8. The action starts on ESPN 2, which will air the preliminary card starting at 8PM. The main card airs on ESPN+

PFL 6 2019 Weigh-In Results:

Main Card

Heavyweight: Satoshi Ishii (240.6) vs. Jared Rosholt (257.0)
Light Heavyweight: Vinny Magalhaes (205.2) vs. Rakim Cleveland (204.8)
Light Heavyweight: Rashid Yusupov (206) vs. Viktor Nemkov (205.6)
Heavyweight: Ali Isaev (263.2) vs. Carl Seumanutafa (265.2)
Light Heavyweight: Maxim Grishin (205.8) vs. Mikhail Mokhnatkin (205.6)
Heavyweight: Valdrin Istrevi (244.4) vs. Muhammed DeReese (245.6)
Bantamweight: Umar Nurmagomedov (135.8) vs. Sedico Honorio (135.4)
Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso (244.8) vs. Ben Edwards (264.2)

Preliminary Card

Heavyweight: Kelvin Tiller (265.0) vs. Denis Gotsov (241.2)
Light Heavyweight: Bozigit Ataev (205.6) vs. Emiliano Sordi (205.8)
Heavyweight: Alex Nicholson (238.2) vs. Zeke Tuinei-Wily (265.6)
Light Heavyweight: Jordan Johnson (205.8) vs Joe Pesaleli (204.8)

The post PFL 6 2019 Weigh-In Results: Ronny Markes Misses Weight appeared first on Cageside Press.

Denis Goltsov comes into his PFL debut with wins in 17 of his last 18 fights. That run comes after a tough 5-4 start to his career that included a loss to top UFC heavyweight Alexander Volkov. His run includes wins over veterans James McSweeney, Chase Gormley, Mike Kyle, Paul Buentello, and Brett Rogers. Of his 22 victories, he has nine submissions and nine knockouts.

Jared Rosholt was a semi-finalist in PFL’s heavyweight tournament last year as the seventh seed. With wins over Kevin Tiller and Valdrin Istrefi, Rosholt fell in the playoffs to eventual champion Philipe Lins. The three-time Division 1 All-American wrestler went 6-2 in the UFC from 2013 to 2016 with wins over Stefan Struve and Walt Harris. Despite the impressive record, Rosholt’s less-than-exciting style led to his exit from the promotion. Overall, he is 17-6 with seven stoppages.

The first round started fairly tentatively, as Jared Rosholt held off his wrestling and allowed Denis Goltsov to take the center of the cage. Rosholt charged in with an overhand right, and was met with a beautiful counter-left hand from Goltsov. Rosholt went right down, and Goltsov followed up with several punches that forced the referee to stop the fight.

Welcome to #PFLmma, @denisgoltsov! What a finish by the Russian, who gets 6 points with this 1st-round knockout! #PFL3 pic.twitter.com/IqLhAbikbH

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 7, 2019

The knockout was the second first-round stoppage of a night filled with decisions.

Denis Goltsov def. Jared Rosholt by TKO (Left Hook and Punches) in Round 1 (2:03)

The post PFL 3 2019 Results: Denis Goltsov Knocks Out Jared Rosholt in First Round appeared first on Cageside Press.

It’s playoff season, and we’re not talking baseball! The Professional Fighters League playoffs get underway on Friday, September 5 with PFL 8 live in New Orleans, Louisiana. The card features the first post-season bouts for the MMA league, and will be comprised of featherweight and heavyweight fighters.

All athletes were scheduled to hit the scales Thursday in advance of the event, and you can stream the weigh-ins live right here on Cageside Press! Most importantly, the playoffs meant sudden death: two fights in one night, with both must-wins to make the million dollar finale on New Year’s Eve.

Among the standouts on the card, featherweight favorites Lance Palmer and Andre Harrison were both in action at featherweight. Harrison (19-0) had defeated Palmer in their first meeting in the WSOF. On Friday he was scheduled to meet former Bellator featherweight Alexandre Bezerra (22-5), who impressed at PFL 7 with a flying knee finish of Magomed Idrisov. Harrison and Bezerra had met once before, with Harrison earning the unanimous decision back in Titan FC.

Palmer (14-3), meanwhile, was set to take on Max Coga (20-5). The number one seed at featherweight, however, was former UFC athlete Steven Siler (31-17), who was paired up against eighth-ranked Nazareno Malegarie (34-5).

On the heavyweight side, Francimar Barroso (21-7, 1NC) had the top seed, and was facing fellow ex-UFC star Josh Copeland (16-5). Number two seed Kelvin Tiller (10–1), the toughest Momma’s Boy in MMA, was set to take on decorated wrester Jared Rosholt (16-5).

In an interesting quirk, Tiller and Rosholt were meeting for their second straight fight. Tiller defeated Rosholt by submission at PFL 4 in July.

Catch the PFL 8 weigh-in live stream below!

PFL 8 Weigh-In Results:

Main Card

Heavyweight TBD vs. TBD (semi-final bout, will be determined by quarter final winners)
Featherweight TBD vs. TBD (semi-final bout, will be determined by quarter final winners)
Heavyweight TBD vs. TBD (semi-final bout, will be determined by quarter final winners)
Featherweight TBD vs. TBD (semi-final bout, will be determined by quarter final winners)

Heavyweight: Francimar Barroso (242.4) vs. Josh Copeland (263.8)
Featherweight: Steven Siler (145.6) vs. Nazareno Malegarie (146)

Preliminary card (Facebook Watch)

Heavyweight: Jack May (260) vs. Alex Nicholson (220.6)
Featherweight: Jumabieke Tuerxun (145.6) vs. Alexandre Almeida (146)
Heavyweight: Philipe Lins (229.6) vs. Caio Alencar (249.2)
Featherweight: Andre Harrison (145.4) vs. Alexandre Bezerra (145.6)
Heavyweight: Kelvin Tiller (265.5) vs. Jared Rosholt (248.2)
Featherweight: Lance Palmer (146.0) vs. Max Coga (145.6)
Heavyweight: Mo De’Reese (247.8) vs. Mike Kyle (223.6)
Featherweight: Marcos Galvão (145.4) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (145.2)

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