Powell improved to 13-2 with the split decision win, and is 4-1 over his last five fights. Speaking with media outlets including Cageside Press backstage at the Bojangles Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, Powell noted that he was “just focused on getting the job done” in the face of the crowd reaction.

“I’ve been around now for a long time now,” England’s Powell added. “I’m a vet.”

Explaining the lack of action on Friday, Powell noted that Yagshimuradov is “a very explosive counter-striker. So I knew it could potentially be like that. There’s going to be a lot of points where we’re twitching, and it looks like there’s not very much going on.”

“I’m a counter-striker, he’s a counter-striker. That’s what happened. He didn’t give much, I just gave more,” he added.

What Simeon Powell wants next is simple, and that’s a title shot. “I want the champion, I want Corey Anderson,” he exclaimed. “And if he’s not available and he wants to go to heavyweight, he should vacate, and then me and Shoeface [Antonio Carlos Jr.] can rematch.”

Former UFC star Antonio Carlos Junior, a tournament winner in the PFL, represents the lone loss in Powell’s last five fights. The pair met in June 2025, with “Shoeface” winning a unanimous decision. Carlos went on to win the PFL World Tournament later that year, and hasn’t competed since. Champ Corey Anderson, meanwhile, won the inaugural PFL light heavyweight title back in October with his own win over Yagshimuradov, but has floated the idea of a move to heavyweight, competing there once in the PFL prior to his 205lb title win.

Watch the full PFL Charlotte post-fight press conference with Simeon Powell above.

The post PFL Charlotte: Simeon Powell Wants Title Next, Be It Against Anderson or Shoeface appeared first on Cageside Press.

“It’s good to be back. Made (my) way to the finals. I hope we’re going to get another belt,” Carlos Jr. told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.

Carlos Jr. (18-6) faced a younger Powell with fight fans thinking this would be a grappler vs. striker type matchup.

“It’s MMA man. It’s not a wrestling match or a Jiu Jitsu match. It’s MMA you got to mix it up. I try taking him down, he did a pretty good job defending the takedowns, he got long legs. So it was hard,” he said.

“He did a great job. I didn’t expect that, but I feel great.”

During the post-fight presser his finals opponent was yet to be determined, but Sullivan Cauley scored an upset victory over Phil Davis later that night.

“Don’t really matter. They’re both good fighters, good athletes,” said Carlos Jr.

“Whoever it is I just have to be ready for it.”

Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Antonio Carlos Jr. above. He faces Sullivan Cauley in the Finals in August.

The post Antonio Carlos Jr. Ready For Finals Matchup, Going For Another Belt appeared first on Cageside Press.

Speaking to the media following his bout at PFL 1 on Wednesday night Powell spoke about his performance.

“Good, it could have been better, but ultimately I knew I was the better athlete. I knew I was fitter I was conditioned better. So I knew my opportunity would be there when I found it. I was waiting I could feel him getting weaker and weaker and I found my opportunity,” Powell told reporters in his post-fight scrum.

Being the first bout on the card and the first finish had Powell hoping for a check going his way after the event would end.

“Lovely. Let’s hope no more knockouts so I can get a bonus,” Powell joked.

The win over Williams was the third KO finish for Powell in his career.

“I’ve got this weird thing with knockouts. I get these little tingles and I just see it. Boom I throw it and the guys sleeping. I felt his body go soft, he got lazy, he got tired, and I just saw the opening.”

Powell was coming off a decision win over Tobias Baker at PFL Challenger Series 8 just 12 days before his fight on Wednesday. The quick turnaround did not deter Powell from taking the bout.

“Never. This is a big opportunity. This is PFL’s opening show. I’d be stupid not to take an opportunity like that. I took it,” Powell said.

As far as a name he’d like to see on a fight contract next Powell wasn’t picky.

“Anyone. I’m a fighter. I don’t care, anyone can get it honestly. Give me a full camp this time,” Powell laughed.

Watch the rest of Simeon Powell’s post-fight scrum above. For more from PFL 1 2022 check out CagesidePress.com

The post PFL 1: Simeon Powell Looking For Opportunity In PFL’s 205 Division appeared first on Cageside Press.