ESPN was first to report that the loss had been overturned to a no contest, following a review by the commission. Werdum, a former UFC heavyweight champion making his promotional debut in the fight, had appeared to have trapped opponent Renan Ferreira in a triangle choke in the opening round of the fight, forcing a tap. But when Werdum loosened the hold, the fight was allowed to continue, and Ferreira scored a ground n’ pound TKO.

The fight took place in Atlantic City, NJ last Thursday, making the timing of the decision rather remarkable. Werdum’s manager later confirmed the news with a statement on social media.

I want to thank the New Jersey Athletic Commission, Mr. Nick Lembo who worked all weekend on over turning Fabricio Werdum’s decision to a NO Contest from his last week at PFL. I also want to thank PFL for quickly providing all of the necessary evidence.

— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) May 10, 2021

“I want to thank the New Jersey Athletic Commission, Mr. Nick Lembo who worked all weekend on over turning Fabricio Werdum’s decision to a NO Contest from his last week at PFL. I also want to thank PFL for quickly providing all of the necessary evidence,” he wrote.

Had he won the bout, Werdum (24-9-1, 1NC) would have earned six points towards a spot in the PFL’s 2021 playoff season. Immediately following the end of the fight, Werdum protested the stoppage. Replays appeared to show a tap by fellow Brazilian Ferreira.

With the result of the fight being overturned, PFL officials have opted to award both Werdum and Ferreira a single point in the standings.

The post Fabricio Werdum’s PFL Debut Loss Overturned to No Contest appeared first on Cageside Press.

Renan Ferreira no doubt had other ideas, of course. Ferreira felt like a bit of an afterthought given Werdum’s arrival to the PFL, but he made a statement Thursday night.

With action underway, Werdum took mere seconds to get fellow Brazilian Ferreira to the ground. From there, he got busy looking for an opening, either to improve position or find a submission. Ferreira held his own on bottom, but Werdum soon had him laid out on his back along the fence. From inside Ferreira’s half-guard, Werdum looked for mount. Ferreira would reverse, only to be caught in a triangle. He tried to punch his way out, while Werdum held on with the submission.

The ex-UFC champ, however, was under fire. Letting go of the submission, Werdum, clearly hurt, gave up his back, eating a heft serving of hammer fists. Dazed, Werdum stopped defending. The writing was on the wall, and the ref closed the book on Fabricio Werdum’s PFL debut.

Post-fight, however, replay showed what may have been a tap from Ferreira during the triangle attempt. At least one tap appeared to hit the shoulder of Werdum, then a second quicker tap before the ground n’ pound continued. Renan Ferreira, barely spoken of during Fight Week, gets the win regardless, barring any challenge — and six points towards the playoffs.

Official Result: Renan Ferreira def. Fabricio Werdum by TKO, Round 1, 2:32

The post PFL 3 Result: Renan Ferreira Spoils Debut of Fabricio Werdum appeared first on Cageside Press.

Harrison is unquestionably one of the PFL’s biggest stars, and while it seems inevitable that she’ll be UFC (or Bellator, given the UFC abandoning anything higher than 135lbs), for as long as they can hold on to her, the league has something special.

Following a high kick, Harrison got right to the clinch in Thursday’s battle against Morais, just bullying her opponent agaisnt the fence. Kayla landed a number of knees, then grabbed on with a body lock and put Morais on her back. From there, Harrison passed to mount, and began landing bombs. Morais rolled to her belly, rolled back over, but the beatdown never stopped. The ground n’ pound was heavy right up until the ref made the save.

It took all of ninety seconds for Kayla Harrison to earn her ninth pro win. It was brutal, it was dominant, and it was exactly what the PFL needs out of their star. It also gives Harrison six points in this year’s regular season.

Following the fight, Harrison gave a quote of the year candidate, stating “From now on, I’m the baddest woman in this room, and in any room.” With a literal mic drop at the end.

Official Result: Kayla Harrison def. Mariana Morais by TKO, Round 1, 1:23

The post PFL 3 Results: Kayla Harrison Beats Down Mariana Morais appeared first on Cageside Press.

In particular, the May 7 PFL card will be headlined by a familiar name as the former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum fights Renan Ferreira. Additionally, the card will feature one of the winners of the previous PFL season. That will see Olympic gold medalist in Judo Kayla Harrison return to action. The decorated Olympian is looking to start her PFL season off strong and take home her second million-dollar prize.

PFL: Werdum vs. Ferreira – Three Fights That Demand More Detail

Prior to the action kicking off, here is a closer look at a trio of fights that need more attention. First, a pivotal scrap at 155lbs between Cindy Dandois (16-5) and Kaitlin Young (11-10-1) is on deck. Then, a closer look at the heavyweight slobber knocker between UFC alum Justin Willis (8-2) putting his record on the line against Denis Goltsov (25-6). In an effort to save the best for last, we will conclude this segment with an examination of UFC champion Kamaru Usman’s brother, Mohammed Usman (7-1), who is looking to fend off fellow heavyweight Brandon Sayles (5-1) in the main event of going under the radar.

The company is already preparing fighters by placing them in a safety bubble ahead of their scheduled fights. 

.@Umohammed97 checks in at @thehealthrover testing pod ahead of his #2021PFL3 debut! pic.twitter.com/RjRhez83w4

— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 1, 2021

Cindy Dandois vs. Kaitlin Young – 155lbs

Following two decision loss results, Dandois understood it was time for a change. Seemingly, the 36-year old fighting since 2009 flipped a switch after the split-decision loss to Iony Razafiarison. After the close loss, the Belgium-born fighter went on a four-fight win streak. Interestingly, Dandois hasn’t fought since 2019, where she had probably the best year of her entire career. Not only did she rack up four wins, but she also was able to finish each fight by submission (3 subs in the first round, 1 sub in the second round).

https://twitter.com/DandoisCindy/status/1386865572282044416

On the other hand, Young doesn’t have the momentum Dandois has, but her tenacity has won her many fights that she was counted out in. When she lost to Pam Sorenson at Invicta FC 36, many were curious if the 35-year old could right the ship and mount another title run. With one win, and possibly another on the way, there is no doubt that Young has the tools and willpower to control the fight, but she will need to weary of Dandois and her ability to submit opponents when they have a false sense of security on the mat.

Justin Willis vs. Denis Goltsov – PFL: Werdum vs. Ferreira Under The Radar Co-Main 265lbs

Prior to getting clipped by a right hook and finished by Ali Isaev from ground and pound, Goltzof was riding high with a six-fight win streak. Overall, the Russian fighter’s record is downright impressive because of his versatility. The 30-year old heavyweight is young for the division and he has ten professional wins by TKO/knockout and ten wins by submission. Since the Russian’s finishing abilities are so diverse, a tentative game plan might be necessary to find a strategy to outwit “The Russian Bogatyr”.

Conversely, for Willis, perhaps his best chance at success is a wrestling-centric game plan to wear on the arms and power of Goltsov. Then, later in the fight when an opportunity presents itself, Willis would be more comfortable in the striking exchanges to carry out the necessary damage. Following his decision loss to Curtis Blaydes and the subsequent release from the UFC, certainly fans and pundits are curious to see how he bounces back from career adversity.

PFL: Werdum vs. Ferreira – Under The Radar Main Event – Mohammed Usman vs. Brandon Sayles 265lbs

In 2019, fans witnessed the Usman family power on full display as the African powerhouse slept two of his opponents in a row at Titan FC. Then, at Titan FC 63 Mohammed earned himself a hard-fought unanimous decision victory against Terrance Hodges. Without a doubt, the win illuminated his potential as a mixed martial artist, as he’s no longer just a one-round fighter, but capable of carrying dominance through three rounds on a consistent basis. The 32-year old training out of Fortis MMA is at a good camp, and it seems the heavyweight is steadily making improvements.

However, he has a tall task ahead of him in the 6″5″ package named Sayles. Also, the 39-year old is on a three-fight win streak. The Hawaiian has always packed a punch but hasn’t been active throughout his career. While there are advantages to only having six professional fights, like taking less damage, it’s paramount to see how he adapts to higher-level competition.

In the end, this heavyweight tilt should have it all because both athletes swing for the knockout, and when these two titans throw down, surely the fight world is anxious to see the type of weapons that UFC champion Kamaru Usman’s brother has sharpened while watching his brother ascend to heights that many believed couldn’t be reached.

The third event of the third PFL season goes down Thursday night in Atlantic City, airing on ESPN2/ESPN+ in the U.S.

The post PFL 3: Werdum vs. Ferreira — Three Fights Going Under The Radar appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the co-main event, meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist and last year’s women’s lightweight winner, Kayla Harrison, will return to action against Mariana Morais.

Werdum (24-9-1) had two runs with the UFC, and also competed for both Pride and Strikeforce. The Brazilian grappling standout won the UFC heavyweight title in 2015, in what was widely considered a massive upset against Cain Velasquez. “Vai Cavalo” had entered the fight as an interim champ, after finishing Mark Hunt in his previous fight.

While Werdum would lose the title in his first attempt to defend it, that loss looks a little better in hindsight, given it came against Stipe Miocic. Werdum is 4-3 since losing his belt, a stretch which included a lengthy suspension from USADA. In his last outing, in July 2020, the former champ defeated Alexander Gustafsson via arm-bar.

Renan Ferreira (6-2), a fellow Brazilian, serves as the other half of the main event. He last competed in August 2019, picking up a win over current UFC heavyweight Jared Vanderaa.

Harrison (8-0) fought once in 2020, competing outside of the PFL for the very first time. On loan as the promotion shut down for the year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Harrison instead competed for Invicta FC, where she virtually slaughtered Courtney King in a bloodbath last November.

The judoka had been scheduled to compete for Titan FC in December, but a bad weight cut led to the hospitalization of opponent Jozette Cotton. Harrison will face Mariana Morais (16-10) at PFL 3. The Brazilian will be making her promotional debut, and has won three straight.

This year’s PFL 3 card will take place May 6 at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. All six regular season events will be held at the venue.

PFL 3 2021 Full Card

ESPN 2 Card

Fabricio Werdum vs. Renan Ferreira
Kayla Harrison vs. Mariana Morais
Ali Isaev vs. Hatef Moeil
Genah Fabian vs. Laura Sanchez

ESPN+ Card

Mohammed Usman vs Brandon Sayles
Denis Goltsov vs. Justin Willis
Larissa Pacheco vs. Julija Pajic
Ante Delija vs. Bruno Cappelozza
Cindy Dandois vs. Kaitlin Young
Olena Kolesnyk vs. Taylor Guardado

The post PFL 3 2021 Full Card Announced, Including Werdum’s Debut, Harrison’s Return appeared first on Cageside Press.