The PFL’s heavyweight World Tournament will see former Bellator star Valentin Moldavsky in action, along with recently released UFC heavyweight Alexander Romanov. Linton Vassell, who competed for gold under the Bellator banner at light heavyweight, continues his heavyweight run. UFC/Bellator Vet Tim Johnson also returns.

Johnson, who made it to the semifinals last season, was last seen losing a short-notice scrap with Vadim Nemkov at the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai event in January.

The heavyweight roster, minus alternates, looks as follows:

• Valentin Moldavsky (13-4) of Russia
• Alexander Romanov (18-3) of Moldova
• Oleg Popov (19-2) of Russia
• Linton Vassell (25-10) of England
• Sergey Bilostenniy (13-3) of Russia
• Tim Johnson (18-11) of U.S.A.
• Pouya Rahmani (4-0) of U.A.E.
• Abraham Bably (5-1) of England

Light Heavyweight sees the return to action of “Mr. Wonderful” himself, Phil Davis, a former UFC contender and Bellator MMA champion. Also returning is Rob Wilkinson, a former PFL champ, and fellow PFL light heavyweight champion and UFC alum Antonio Carlos Junior. RIZIN and Bellator alum Karl Albrektsson is also in the mix.

The light heavyweight tournament will include:

• Phil Davis (24-7) of the United States
• Rob Wilkinson (19-3) of Australia
• Karl Moore (12-3) of Ireland
• Marcelo Nunes (11-2) of Brazil
• Antonio Carlos Jr. (16-6) of Brazil
• Simeon Powell (10-1) of England
• Karl Albrektsson (14-6) of Sweden
• Sullivan Cauley (6-1) of U.S.A.

Light heavyweight alternates will be Alex Polizzi (11-4) of the U.S., best known for his Bellator MMA run, and Rafael Xavier (13-8) of Germany.

The post PFL Announces Roster for Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight World Tournament appeared first on Cageside Press.

On paper, thanks to five first round finishes in the 205lb division in April, light heavyweight looked ready to explode. Only four fighters could move to the post season, meaning someone with six points was set to be left on the outside, looking in. In the running to move forward were 2023 champ Impa Kasanganay, that year’s runner up in Josh Silveira, ex-champ Antonio Carlos Junior, ex-champ Rob Wilkinson, and Bellator import Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.

On the lightweight side of things, Clay Collard headlined the show opposite Mads Burnell in a possible banger, while Patricky Pitbull looked to get on the board, and 155lb leader Michael Dufort looked to carry the torch for Canada in the PFL, after taking over for retired teammate Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

Due to a late withdrawal by Tom Breese, Andrew Sanchez was moved up the card into a fight with Sadibou Sy, with the announcement made just hours prior to showtime. That left Karl Albrektsson as the odd man out.

Where to Watch PFL 5

Friday, June 21, 2024 sees lightweights and light heavyweights in action at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The main card airs live on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. following prelims found exclusively on ESPN+, while Canadian and European viewers can catch the action on DAZN. Full results from the event can be found below.

2024 PFL 5: Collard vs. Burnell Results

The post 2024 PFL 5: Collard vs. Burnell Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Thursday, promotion officials informed Cageside Press that #6-ranked Grant Neal (7-1) will face #8-ranked Karl Albrektsson (13-4) as part of the Inglewood, California card, which takes place at the Kia Forum on February 4, 2023.

The 27-year old Neal most recently saw action against Christian Edwards, winning a unanimous decision back in April. Fighting out of Colorado, Neal, a.k.a. “The Truth,” has posted a 6-1 record under the Bellator MMA banner, spending the bulk of his professional career to date with the organization.

Sweden’s Albrektsson is a well-traveled light heavyweight whose position on the Bellator 290 card will likely raise eyebrows. A veteran of Japan’s RIZIN Fighting Federation, it was there that “King” Karl notched a win over current 205lb champ Vadim Nemkov, with the victory coming via split decision at RIZIN 1 in 2016.

Albrektsson has shared the cage (or ring, in the case of RIZIN) with the likes of Valentin Moldavsky and UFC champ Jiri Prochazka. Having first competed for Bellator in 2019, the Swede later notched a victory over Viktor Nemkov, the champion’s brother.

Earlier this year, Albrektsson inked an exclusive deal with Bellator MMA. He returned to action in September, losing via submission to Karl Moore, a setback that snapped a four-fight win streak.

Bellator 290 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA is set to be headlined by a heavyweight world championship contest, as Ryan Bader faces Fedor Emelianenko for the second time. That bout is expected to be the retirement fight for “The Last Emperor.” In the co-headliner, Vadim Nemkov puts his title on the line opposite Yoel Romero.

The following match-ups have been reported for the February 4, 2023 card thus far:

• Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko – for the Bellator MMA heavyweight championship
• Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero – for the Bellator MMA light heavyweight championship
• Grant Neal vs. Karl Albrektsson
• Sabah Homasi vs. Brennan Ward
• Ethan Hughes vs. Yusuf Karakaya

The post Grant Neal vs. Karl Albrektsson Booked for Bellator 290 on Feb. 4 appeared first on Cageside Press.

While it’s the Battle of the Rafaels going down this Saturday at UFC Vegas 58, September’s Bellator show in Dublin, Ireland will feature Karl Albrektsson (13-3) taking on Karl Moore (9-2) in a light heavyweight showdown. Additionally, a welterweight match-up between Dante Schiro (9-3) and Luca Poclit (7-1) has been added to the event.

Promotion officials recently announced the additions via press release.

Albrektsson, a Swedish standout who formerly competed for RIZIN Fighting Federation, has won his last four fights, two of which have been under the Bellator MMA banner. He recently signed a new deal with the promotion, and looks to be a big part of its 205 pound weight class moving forward.

Ireland’s Moore, a BAMMA and Cage Warriors veteran, made his Bellator debut last time out, defeating Lee Chadwick by split decision. He’s getting a big step up in competition in September against Albrektsson, who holds wins over current light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov and the champ’s brother, Viktor.

Dante Schiro is 1-1 inside the Bellator cage to date, losing a decision on short notice against Logan Storley, then bouncing back with a third round TKO of Scotty Hao. He gets the debuting Poclit, who has won seven straight after dropping his pro debut.

Bellator 285 takes place on September 23, 2022 at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland. A lightweight match-up between former UFC champ Benson Henderson and Ireland’s Peter Queally headlines. The following fights have been announced for the event thus far:

• Benson Henderson vs. Peter Queally
• Melvin Manhoef vs. Yoel Romero
• James Gallagher vs. Brett Johns
• Mads Burnell vs. Pedro Carvalho
• Leah McCourt vs. Dayana Silva
• Ciaran Clarke vs. Georges Sasu
• Brian Moore vs. Arivaldo Lima da Silva
• Karl Albrektsson vs. Karl Moore
• Darragh Kelly vs. Kye Stevens
• Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Kane Mousah
• Kenny Mokhonoana vs. Alex Bodnar
• Luca Poclit vs. Dante Schiro

The post September’s Bellator 285 Adds Albrektsson vs. Moore, Schiro vs. Poclit appeared first on Cageside Press.

Promotion officials announced the news in a press release on Tuesday. The 28-year old currently sits on a four-fight win streak, and is 2-1 under the Bellator banner.

Prior to joining Bellator MMA in 2019, Albrektsson competed for Japan’s RIZIN Fighting Federation. There, he picked up a win over Vadim Nemkov, who currently reigns over Bellator’s light heavyweight division as champion. He also holds a win over Nemkov’s brother, Viktor, and has previously competed against current UFC title challenger Jiri Prochazka.

“King” Albrektsson is currently ranked #7 overall in Bellator’s 205 pound weight class. Outside of mixed martial arts, the Swede won a gold medal at the 2014 European Wushu Championships and a bronze medal at the 2015 World Wushu Championships a year later.

Albrektsson does not currently have a fight booked. When he does, however, fans in his native Sweden, and neighbors Finland and Norway, will be able to watch live and free on streaming service Pluto TV, the promotion noted in Tuesday’s press release.

Bellator returns to action later this month, with Bellator 282: Mousasi vs. Eblen airing on Friday, June 24, 2022. The event will mark the first card of their Nordic media rights deal with Pluto TV.

The post Light Heavyweight Karl Albrektsson Signs Multi-Fight, Multi-Year Extension with Bellator MMA appeared first on Cageside Press.

“King” Karl took home the unanimous decision victory, but not before being suplexed, eating a number of high kicks, and taking some hard punches throughout.

Asked for his thoughts on the fight following what was clearly an exhausting and explosive 15 minutes, Albrektsson told reporters that “right now, I don’t think so much, I just feel. And
I feel like sh*t.”

“It was a tough fight. I’ve just been puking and peeing blood after the fight, so I don’t know, I need a day to recuperate and get my thoughts together,” the Swedish fighter added.

Albrektsson, who improved to 13-3 with the victory, thought he might get the stoppage in the second frame. “I [thought] I was gonna finish him in the second round when I dropped him, but I knew his record before and I knew who he was, and I knew he came from a loss so he was hungry,” Albrektsson noted. “This is really a top-level fighter. So I didn’t get the finish, but I got a hell of a war.”

Was it his toughest test to date? On that front, “King” wasn’t 100% sure. But it was close. “I don’t know, every fight is different, but this was definitely top three toughest fights. Maybe top two, maybe even the toughest, I don’t know. I need to watch it again.”

As to when he’ll fight next, Karl Albrektsson couldn’t say, noting that “it all depends on how I recuperate from this fight. I got a medical suspension, so I need to heal up first.” But if he has his way, he’ll be fighting closer to home in Stockholm next time out.

“Definitely. Definitely. All these logistics, it’s a whole different matter that you have to solve,” he said in regards to traveling to the U.S. to fight. “When you’re closer to home, everything is more easy.”

Watch the full Bellator 268 post-fight press conference with Karl Albrektsson above. More coverage from the event can be found below.

The post Karl Albrektsson Reveals How Beat Up He Was After Bellator 268 Fight: “I’ve Just Been Puking and Peeing Blood” appeared first on Cageside Press.

This Saturday at Bellator 268, Albrektsson (12-3) steps into the cage for the third time this year, and second time for Bellator in the past 12 months.

“This is the highest level, this is where I think I belong, so it’s great to be here,” Albrektsson told media outlets including Cageside Press during Thursday’s Bellator 268 media day.

Albrektsson is looking to prove something against an opponent in Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov who he called “a very dangerous, very tough opponent.” Noting that Yagshimuradov, who was recently eliminated from the light heavyweight grand prix, is a “very skilled former champion in a big Russian organization,” Albrektsson stated that “I think I have a lot to prove. I need to prove my heart, and make this a grinding fight.”

The Swedish light heavyweight has intimate knowledge of the fight topping the card at Bellator 268. Albrektsson was supposed to be fighting Julius Anglickas this weekend, but with Anthony Johnson withdrawing from the grand prix, Anglickas was picked to replace him. Now, Albrektsson’s would-be opponent is facing a former foe: Bellator light heavyweight champ Vadim Nemkov, who Albrektsson defeated at RIZIN 1 in February 2016.

Giving his thoughts on Saturday’s main event, Albrektsson noted that Nemkov is the favorite, but added that “I think his problem might be if he’s underestimating Julius, because Julius is obviously a skilled, tough fighter, but nobody thinks he’s going to win. So I think he still has a good chance to make a good performance and maybe get away with the win.”

As for the other light heavyweight semifinal between Corey Anderson and Ryan Bader? “That’s a tough fight. I think maybe Corey will take this one. I don’t know why, just a gut feeling.”

Watch the full Bellator 268 media scrum with Karl Albrektsson above. More coverage can be found below. The event takes place this Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

The post Bellator 268: Karl Albrektsson Looking to Prove Something Against “Dangerous” Yagshimuradov appeared first on Cageside Press.

Here’s a look at that, and other key prospects in action this week.

Lux Fight League 17 | Mexico | Friday

Lightweight, Francesco Patron Manzo (8-0)

Manzo is only 22-years-old and is a well-rounded young man with tons of potential. He’s a diverse striker that’s still really technical. Manzo is always throwing in volume mixing in kicks and punches. He has an underrated ground game as well as shown in his last fight with a beautiful armbar finish transitioned from the back. He fights former UFC veteran Marco Beltran (16-7).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwwUDvnyC4Q&t=20s

RCC: Intro 16 | Russia | Saturday

Heavyweight, Kirill Kornilov (10-0-1)

Kornilov has a kickboxing background but in his MMA career, it’s the hands that he has got the job done with. He has a really good jab and uses a lot of feints to produce openings for him to exploit. Where he is most effective is when his opponents come forward, catching them as they come in. He’s a dangerous guy off his back foot, so not someone you want to advance on carelessly. His takedown defense isn’t at all where it needs to be however. Even worse, he’s way out of his realm on the mat off his back. Kornilov fights Ednaldo Oliveira (21-8-1).

FEN 36 | Poland | Saturday

Lightweight, Mateusz Rębecki (13-1)

Rebecki is a BJJ black belt and is a two-time gold medalist in ADCC (Poland). He trains out of Berserker Team with fighters like Michal Materla, Tomasz Narkun, and many more established veterans. Rebecki is a bit one-dimensional being solely a grappler but in that area, he’s just so dangerous and that’s on top or bottom. While on a ten-fight win streak at the time he fought them, the combined record of his opponents was 135-46-3. Of thirteen victories he’s finished all but one fight. Seven stoppages by KO/TKO and five by submission. He fights Aigun Akhmedov (22-2).

AMC Fight Nights 105 | Russia | Saturday

Middleweight, Vladimir Mineev (15-1-1)

Mineev has several good wins, the most notable being against former UFC fighter Maiquel Falcão. There have been doubts in the past about his cardio, takedown defense, and head movement, but he has grown into a well-rounded martial artist. The Russian has a dynamic offensive striking attack with excellent output with his hands and kicks, and his wrestling is underrated as well. Mineev fights Magomed Ismailov (17-2-1).

Featherweight, Mukhamed Eminov (17-1)

Eminov is someone I scouted a few years ago and is much better today than he was then. The Russian hasn’t displayed much on the feet but he does have a solid ground game. Eminov is a very technical grappler who transitions through guard beautifully and excels at passing positions as a whole. He also brings a very intelligent submission base with eleven submission wins. He fights Roman Silagadze (4-1-1).

Middleweight, Sharaputdin Magomedov (5-0)

Magomedov is a kickboxer with an extensive background. In MMA that’s what he showcased so far. Even going backwards Magomedov has light footwork and can still land effectively. In the clinch he’s good at landing knees as shown in his last fight. Magomedov has a lot of dexterity in his legs being able to throw head kicks in tight spaces. He can throw with both legs and is hard to read on what he’s going to throw. He’s dangerous at distance and even though his takedown defense does need work, he’s dangerous to close the distance on. Magomedov fights Mikhail Allakhverdian (9-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbyPMAy4Uj8&ab_channel=FIGHTNIGHTSGLOBALTV

Middleweight, David Barkhudaryan (13-3)

Barkhudaryan is mainly a striker and a very dangerous one at that. He has a one-two he loves to throw, chopping powerful leg kicks, and a firing straight jab. Beware of rushing in on him as well as he’s a dangerous counter-striker. Barkhudaryan has lights out power in his hands and can stop the fight at any time. He’s currently on a seven-fight win streak and looking at the peak of his career. He fights Artur Alibulatov (21-4).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4xIEli46UM&ab_channel=FIGHTNIGHTSGLOBALTV

Bellator 268 | US | Saturday

Light heavyweight, Julius Anglickas (10-1)

Anglickas has a strong wrestling base, that being his best weapon for sure. He can wrestle all fight as his cardio has proved to be very good. He also has a dangerous submission attack, holding four submission wins in his career. On the feet, Anglickas bull rushes opponents and beats them up in the clinch. He also throws good leg kicks and a good jab.  He’s got a solid work ethic and eventually breaks your will. He fights the champ Vadim Nemkov (14-2) for the title.

Light heavyweight, Karl Albrektsson (12-3)

Albrektsson has only three losses in his career, all three to stellar fighters in Valentin Moldavsky, Phil Davis, and Jiri Prochazka. He has also beaten good competition such as former UFC fighter Josh Stansbury and Bellator light heavyweight champ Vadim Nemkov. “King” has a background in BJJ and in Sanshou, in which he was the 2014 European champion. His weak point would be on the feet, as he’s often seen fighting too stiff. He excels on the mat though, looking better in each fight. He fights Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (18-6-1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIkjRjnY3-U&ab_channel=That%27swhyMMA%21

Lightweight, Nick Browne (11-1)

Browne’s sole loss is to John Gunther, and while that looks… not so good in hindsight, he does have a few good wins. He’s beat opponents like Sidney Outlaw, Troy Lamson, Ben Egli, and Trey Ogden who are all good fighters. Browne doesn’t have much to offer on the feet but strikes well to close the distance to wrestle. He’s a strong grappler being a big submission threat with five submission wins. Taking the back and finishing with the RNC is what he’s best at. He fights Bobby Lee (12-6).

Bantamweight, Jaylon Bates (3-0)

Bates made his pro debut for Bellator and is one of their best and brightest up-and-comers. He’s the full package and besides being a wrestler first his striking is good. He has good hands and good use of his range. Bates is a fantastic wrestler and can wrestle three rounds no problem. Being an aggressive wrestler he can keep taking guys down despite them getting to their feet. Bates has a slick submission game no matter where he’s at. Still not enough has been shown but he looks like the real deal. He fights Raphael Montini (6-4).

Welterweight, Mukhamed Berkhamov (14-1)

Berkhamov is a very solid fighter that can go the distance or finish. He has solid cardio going the distance three times but mainly ending the fight with his striking. He only throws one strike at a time but he is very explosive and is very hard to read as he throws hooks, jabs, leg kicks, and head kicks and his timing is perfect. Berkhamov has solid wrestling as he changes levels great and always gets the takedown. He is very good on top moving well and stays heavy and gets dominant position frequently. He fights Jaleel Willis (15-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NutEIBQIztI&ab_channel=MMATROLL

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: Anglickas Moves from Prospect to Title Challenger appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bellator 268 on October 16 was already the home to the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix semifinals, with champion Vadim Nemkov defending his title against Rumble Johnson. Not to mention former light heavyweight champion and current heavyweight champion Ryan Bader taking on fellow UFC alum Corey Anderson. However, that October card has gotten even more firepower.

Bellator announced Thursday that they had added multiple bouts to the card, the most notable of which is a battle of former lightweight champions Benson Henderson (UFC) and Brent Primus (Bellator MMA). The two fighters are both looking to get back on track following recent losses. The third-ranked Henderson is looking to rebound off back-to-back lopsided losses to Michael Chandler and Jason Jackson, while Primus is attempting to get back into the win column following a controversial split-decision loss to Islam Mamedov in July.

That was not the only fight that was announced on Thursday. Bellator also revealed a couple of other notable fights; rounding out the main card is going to be a battle between featherweights Henry Corrales and Vladyslav Parubchenko. Also added to the prelims are a couple of ranked light heavyweights, as the 5th ranked Julias Anglickas will be taking on 10th ranked Karl Albrektsson in a battle of contenders.

Also on the prelims is a battle of former UFC fighters as Erik Perez takes on Brett Johns at bantamweight. Another notable bout was announced between Maria Henderson and Collete Santiago at strawweight to open up the prelims of the card. Maria is the wife of the aforementioned Benson Henderson, who will be competing on the main card. That bout will be an amateur contest, per a press release distributed Thursday.

Bellator 268 goes down October 16th, from the Footprint Center in Pheonix, Arizona. The full main card will be broadcasted on Showtime at 10 P.M. ET.

The post Bellator 268: Slew Of Bouts Added To October Card appeared first on Cageside Press.

FEN 32 | Poland | Friday

Bantamweight, Jonas Magard (12-4)

Magard isn’t entirely comfortable on the feet, though he still does hold some power and has good movement — it’s just not where it needs to be at a high level. Magard though is a grappling ace with five submission wins and five via a rare Japanese Necktie. His wrestling has gotten much better over time. His single leg is what’s highlighted in his wrestling. As shown in his last fight he can wrestle heavy for five rounds. Magard fights Frans Mlambo (9-5).

Bantamweight, Ekaterina Shakalova (5-1)

Ukraine’s Shakalova has already made quite the impact this year. With a win over a good prospect in Róża Gumienna and recently beating former UFC fighter Izabela Badurek, things are looking up. Those two wins have skyrocketed her to one of the top bantamweight prospects. Shakalova is a three-time grappling world champion and a four-time European grappling champion. Her wrestling to showcase that grappling is outstanding. Shakalova has classic wrestling skills and likes to use a lot of arm drags which is something you don’t see much in MMA. She also changes levels for well-executed double legs and is known for some high amplitude takedown in her repertoire. Shakalova is very good at moving into side control and letting off some relentless ground and pound. Her striking needs work but her wrestling and grappling is top-notch. She fights Jamila Sandora (5-0).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1GsbAbp9iM&t=1521s

ACA 123 | Russia | Friday

Flyweight, Aren Akopyan (11-2-1)

From Russia, Akopyan is quietly one of the best prospects out of the country. On the feet, he’s a quick guy with a lot of bounce and movement. He does a good job throwing out feints and freezing guys while being able to let his hands go. He’s an even better wrestler and his ground game is very dangerous. He fights Charles Henrique (13-2).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cnuwQRAXoo

XFC 44 | US | Friday

Lightweight, Tom O’Connor (9-1)

O’Connor is an endurance athlete who wins on pressure, pace, and cardio. The Canadian fighter has solid wrestling. His level changes are so low on the legs it’s tough to fend him off. His positional grappling is on point as he’s able to control guys while just bullying them around. The footage does lack so right now it hard to tell how good he is. O’Connor fights Damonte Robinson (6-1-1).

MMA-Series 33 | Russia | Friday

Heavyweight, Oleg Popov (10-1)

Popov is a wrestler who has some decent power in his hands. He’s an aggressive guy constantly shooting and what he lacks in size he makes up for with his strength. Not entirely someone who will blow you away on the mat but he has some heavy top control. Popov is getting better and better with each fight. He fights Marcos Brigagão (13-2).

Superior Challenge 22 | Sweeden | Saturday

Light heavyweight, Karl Albrektsson (11-3)

Albrektsson has only three losses in his career, all three to stellar fighters in Valentin Moldavsky, Phil Davis, and Jiri Prochazka. He has also beaten good competition such as former UFC fighter Josh Stansbury and Bellator light heavyweight champ Vadim Nemkov. “King” has a background in BJJ and in Sanshou, in which he was the 2014 European champion. His weak point would be on the feet, as he’s often seen fighting too stiff. He excels on the mat though, looking better in each fight. Just last month, he beat Nemkov’s brother, Viktor, so he’s staying active. He fights Rab Truesdale (10-6-1).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIkjRjnY3-U

The post Weekly MMA Prospect Report: A Handful of Standouts in a Slow Week appeared first on Cageside Press.