2021 PFL 5 Results: Gleison Tibau Shocks Rory MacDonald In The Main Event
Welcome to Fightful’s results, live coverage and discussion for 2021 PFL 5. We will bring you full, fight-by-fight coverage of the whole card. Scroll down to the Disqus boards below and chat with fellow MMA fans during the event.
Main Card (9pm EST., ESPN 2)
Gleison Tibau def. Rory MacDonald by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ray Cooper III def. Nikolay Aleksakhin by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Emiliano Sordi fights Dan Spohn to a draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Chris Camozzi def. Cezar Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Preliminary Card (5:30pm EST., ESPN+)
Antonio Carlos Jr. fights Vinny Magalhaes to a no contest due to an accidental illegal strike (2:45, R1)
Cory Hendricks def. Marthin Hamlet by submission via rear naked choke (4:09, R3)
Joao Zeferino def. Jason Ponet by submission via arm triangle choke (2:16, R2)
Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Curtis Millender by submission via ezekiel choke (1:57, R1)
Tom Lawlor def. Jordan Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sadibou Sy def. Alexey Kunchenko by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking some swings at each other, MacDonald pops Tibau with a push kick to the midsection. Tibau backs up MacDonald while throwing a few overhand lefts, MacDonald then cracks Tibau with a kick to the midsection. Tibau cracks a swinging MacDonald with a counter left hook, MacDonald accidentally pokes Tibau in the eye and the fight is halted. The action resumes with Tibau cracking MacDonald with a left, MacDonald looks for a takedown and Tibau defends before a wild striking exchange briefly breaks out. MacDonald looks for a takedown and Tibau defends before eating a body kick, MacDonald trips up Tibau before jumping on his back. Tibau defends against a rear naked choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for MacDonald
Round Two: The round begins with MacDonald immediately scoring a takedown against Tibau, Tibau scrambles to his feet and MacDonald immediately hunts for another takedown. MacDonald goes back to attacking the midsection of Tibau with a variety of strikes, MacDonald also cracks Tibau with a head kick. Tibau starts firing back against the swinging MacDonald, MacDonald stays at a distance while attacking Tibau with combinations. Tibau cracks a swinging MacDonald with a counter right hook as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for MacDonald (Overall Score: 20-18 for MacDonald)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters trading some combinations, MacDonald continues attacking Tibau with a plethora of kicks. Tibau continues looking to land counter strikes on a swinging MacDonald, MacDonald accidentally pokes Tibau in the eye again and the fight is halted. The action resumes with Tibau landing a combination against MacDonald, Tibau chases a backing MacDonald around the cage while getting picked apart with strikes. Tibau attempts a jumping kick against MacDonald as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for MacDonald (Final Score: 30-27 for MacDonald)
Official Result: Gleison Tibau def. Rory MacDonald by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Ray Cooper III vs. Nikolay Aleksakhin
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Cooper III eats a hook before landing a counter strike on Aleksakhin. Aleksakhin charges forward and Cooper III nails him with a counter hook, Cooper III grabs Aleksakhin and he scores a takedown on him. The fighters scramble to their feet and Cooper III stuns Aleksakhin by landing a left hook, Cooper III grabs Aleksakhin and he gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and swing away at each other, Cooper III swings wildly at Aleksakhin before getting him back against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Aleksakhin cracking a swinging Cooper III with some jabs, Cooper III again gets Aleksakhin against the cage wall after swinging wildly at him. The fighters separate again and Aleksakhin pops a swinging Cooper III with a counter left hook, the fighters trade jabs as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cooper III
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters trading some jabs, Cooper III attacks a kicking Aleksakhin with an overhand right. Aleksakhin pops a ducking Cooper III with a knee strike to the face, Aleksakhin also kicks Cooper III right in the midsection. Cooper III stays at a distance while picking Aleksakhin apart with strikes, Aleksakhin and Cooper III continue getting into wild striking exchanges. Cooper III then cracks a swinging Aleksakhin with a counter right hook, Cooper III looks for a takedown and Aleksakhin defends while landing a knee strike. Cooper III stays in the clinch with Aleksakhin as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cooper III (Overall Score: 20-18 for Cooper III)
Round Three: The round begins with Cooper III taking some swings at a backing Aleksakhin, Aleksakhin clinches with Cooper III before landing multiple knee strikes to his head. Cooper III scores a takedown on Aleksakhin and Aleksakhin gets back up a short time later, the fighters separate after another takedown attempt from Cooper III. Aleksakhin cracks Cooper III with a two punch combination, Aleksakhin goes for a takedown on Cooper III as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Cooper III (Final Score: 30-27 for Cooper III)
Official Result: Ray Cooper III def. Nikolay Aleksakhin by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Emiliano Sordi vs. Dan Spohn
Round One: The round begins with Spohn cracking Sordi with a few lefts, Sordi responds by attempting a head kick against Spohn. Spohn starts attacking Sordi with some leg kicks, Spohn scores a takedown on Sordi after a striking exchange and he gets back control. Spohn goes for a rear naked choke and Sordi defends against it, Sordi shakes Spohn off of his back and he gets top control. Sordi attacks Spohn with some ground and pound, Sordi gains back control on Spohn while landing more strikes. Spohn scrambles and Sordi attacks him with more strikes while in the half guard, Sordi regains back control while nailing Spohn with more strikes. Sordi nails Spohn with some illegal strikes to the back of the head and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with the ref taking a point from Sordi. The action resumes with Sordi cracking Spohn with a right, Sordi goes for a spinning attack as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 9-9 for Sordi
Round Two: The round begins with Spohn landing a counter strike combo on a kicking Sordi, Sordi and Spohn exchange some right hooks. Spohn backs up Sordi after landing a pair of left hooks, Sordi recovers and he rocks Spohn after landing a combination. Spohn briefly looks for a takedown and Sordi defends before landing more strikes, Spohn fights back and he takes some swings at Sordi. Sordi and Spohn get into a wild striking exchange while clinching, Sordi scores a takedown on Spohn and he gets him in a seated position while landing strikes. Spohn sweeps Sordi and he gains top control on the ground, Sordi looks to get up and Spohn gains back control on him. Sordi shakes Spohn off of him and he regains top control, Sordi attacks Spohn with some ground and pound. Spohn sweeps Sordi and he regains top control, Sordi scrambles to his feet and Spohn takes some swings at him. Sordi drops for a heel hook on Spohn as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sordi (Overall Score: 19-18 for Sordi)
Round Three: The round begins with Spohn swinging away at a backing Sordi, Sordi cracks a swinging Spohn with a counter uppercut. Spohn accidentally kicks Sordi low and the fight is halted, the action resumes with Sordi attacking Spohn with some leg kicks. Spohn charges forward and he attacks Sordi with a pair of lefts, Sordi cracks a ducking Spohn with a short right uppercut. Sordi and Spohn get into a few wild striking exchanges, Spohn trips up a kicking Sordi and both immediately get back up. Spohn again trips up Sordi after landing a leg kick, the fighters clinch for a few moments and exchange some strikes. Sordi charges at Spohn while swinging wildly at him, Sordi hunts for a takedown as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Spohn (Final Score: 28-28 for Draw)
Official Result: Emiliano Sordi fights Dan Spohn to a draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Cezar Ferreira vs. Chris Camozzi
Round One: The round begins with Ferreira attacking Camozzi with some leg kicks, Ferreira follows up by kicking Camozzi in the midsection. Camozzi fires back and he nails Ferreira with leg kicks of his own, Ferreira scores a takedown on Camozzi and he gets the half guard. Ferreira transitions to the full mount before Camozzi gets him back in the half guard, Camozzi scrambles and he gets Ferreira in his full guard. Ferreira advances to the half guard position against Camozzi, Camozzi scrambles and Ferreira keeps him down while controlling his head. Camozzi scrambles to his feet and he pops Ferreira with a few rights as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ferreira
Round Two: The round begins with Ferreira attacking Camozzi with some leg kicks, Camozzi backs up Ferreira after landing a combination. Camozzi continues landing combinations against a backing Ferreira, Ferreira looks for a takedown and Camozzi defends by landing a knee strike. Camozzi drops a swinging Ferreira with a counter left hook and he pounces on him with a bunch of strikes while gaining top control, Camozzi attacks Ferreira with more ground and pound. Camozzi continues landing ground and pound on Ferreira as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Camozzi (Overall Score: 19-18 for Camozzi)
Round Three: The round begins with Camozzi attacking Ferreira with some leg kicks, Ferreira fires back to land leg kicks of his own. Ferreira looks for a takedown and Camozzi gets him down instead, Ferreira scrambles to his feet and Camozzi swings away at him. Camozzi gets Ferreira against the cage wall for a short time after landing a combo, Ferreira scores a takedown on Camozzi and Camozzi quickly sweeps him to gain top control. Ferreira scrambles to his feet and Camozzi attacks him with combinations, Ferreira fights back and he nails Camozzi with a shot to the midsection. Ferreira goes for a takedown and Camozzi defends against it, the fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Camozzi (Final Score: 29-27 for Camozzi)
Official Result: Chris Camozzi def. Cezar Ferreira by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Antonio Carlos Jr. vs. Vinny Magalhaes
Round One: The round begins with Magalhaes attacking Carlos Jr with leg kicks and body kicks, Carlos Jr and Magalhaes exchange some jabs. Carlos Jr cracks Magalhaes with a multiple punch combination, Carlos Jr starts landing right hooks against Magalhaes. Carlos Jr cracks a backing Magalhaes with a kick to the midsection, the fighters clinch and battle for position along the cage wall. Carlos Jr accidentally nails Magalhaes low and the fight is halted, the doctor says Magalhaes cannot continue and the referee waves the fight off.
Official Result: Antonio Carlos Jr. fights Vinny Magalhaes to a no contest due to an accidental illegal strike (2:45, R1)
Marthin Hamlet vs. Cory Hendricks
Round One: The round begins with Hendricks attacking Hamlet with some leg kicks, Hamlet grabs Hendricks and he gets him against the cage wall. Hamlet gets Hendricks down and Hendricks pops right back up each time, the fighters separate and Hendricks attacks Hamlet with a high kick. Hamlet rocks a swinging Hendricks with a counter right, Hamlet drops Hendricks with a follow up combination. Hamlet pounces on a downed Hendricks with more strikes before gaining top control on the ground, Hamlet gains back control on Hendricks while landing more strikes. Hendricks wall walks to his feet as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Hamlet
Round Two: The round begins with Hendricks dropping Hamlet with a combination, Hamlet gets back up and he gets Hendricks against the cage wall. The referee separates the fighters for inactivity, the action resumes with Hamlet getting Hendricks back against the cage wall after an exchange. The fighters separate and Hamlet attacks Hendricks with a combo after avoiding a jump knee strike, Hamlet again gets Hendricks against the cage wall. The referee again separates the fighters for inactivity, the action resumes with Hamlet landing a few rights on Hendricks. Hendricks hits Hamlet with a few kicks as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Hamlet (Overall Score: 20-17 for Hamlet)
Round Three: The round begins with Hamlet charging Hendricks while throwing a combination, Hamlet grabs Hendricks and he gets him against the cage wall. The fighters trade some strikes while in the clinch, the referee separates the fighters due to inactivity. The action resumes with Hendricks landing a multiple strike combo on Hamlet, Hamlet goes for a takedown and Hendricks defends while landing strikes. Hendricks engages Hamlet on the ground and he gets back control, Hendricks catches Hamlet in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Cory Hendricks def. Marthin Hamlet by submission via rear naked choke (4:09, R3)
Joao Zeferino vs. Jason Ponet
Round One: The round begins with Zeferino attacking Ponet with a jump kick to the midsection, Ponet drops a swinging Zeferino with a counter left. Zeferino makes it back to his feet while eating more strikes, Ponet backs up Zeferino while swinging away at him. Zeferino fires back and he starts landing strikes against Ponet, Zeferino grabs Ponet and he gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Ponet starts attacking Zeferino with some leg kicks, Ponet then nails a swinging Zeferino with a counter left hook. The fighters briefly clinch and then separate a short time later, Zeferino scores a takedown on a kicking Ponet and he gets the open guard. Zeferino quickly transitions to the half guard against Ponet, Zeferino advances to the full mount against Ponet. Zeferino attacks Ponet with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Zeferino
Round Two: The round begins with Zeferino cracking Ponet with a straight right, Zeferino scores a takedown on Ponet and he gets the half guard. Zeferino attacks Ponet with some ground and pound, Zeferino gains the side control position against Ponet before getting the full mount. Zeferino catches Ponet in an arm triangle choke and the tap out follows.
Official Result: Joao Zeferino def. Jason Ponet by submission via arm triangle choke (2:16, R2)
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Curtis Millender
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking some swings at each other, Millender goes for a jump knee strike and Magomedkerimov avoids it. Millender starts landing some leg kicks against Magomedkerimov, Magomedkerimov fires back and he nails Millender with a right. Magomedkerimov scores a takedown on a leaping Millender and he gets the open guard, Magomedkerimov catches Millender in an ezekiel choke and Millender goes out cold.
Official Result: Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Curtis Millender by submission via ezekiel choke (1:57, R1)
Tom Lawlor vs. Jordan Young
Round One: The round begins with Lawlor scoring a takedown on a kicking Young, Lawlor escapes a triangle choke set up from Young before landing a few strikes. Young scrambles to his feet and Lawlor holds him against the cage wall, the fighters clinch and exchange some strikes. Lawlor separates from Young after landing a combination, Lawlor scores another takedown on Young after eating a knee strike. Young scrambles to his feet and Lawlor gets him against the cage wall, the fighters trade some shots while in the clinch. The fighters separate and swing at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lawlor
Round Two: The round begins with Young kicking Lawlor in the midsection, Lawlor backs up Young while landing a left hook. Lawlor and Young clinch while doing battle along the cage wall, Young cracks Lawlor with another body kick after they separate. Young keeps Lawlor at a distance while attacking him with a few kicks, Lawlor looks for a takedown and Young defends. Young catches Lawlor in a guillotine choke and Lawlor defends after getting taken down, Lawlor scrambles and he gets up before eating a knee strike from Young. Lawlor grabs Young and he gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Young attacks Lawlor with another body kick. Lawlor scores a takedown on Young and he quickly gets the full mount, Lawlor goes for an arm triangle choke and Young defends until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lawlor (Overall Score: 20-18 for Lawlor)
Round Three: The round begins with Young attacking Lawlor with a high kick, Lawlor backs Young into the cage wall after throwing a few lefts. Lawlor scores a takedown on Young and he gets the half guard, Young gets Lawlor into his full guard after a failed triangle choke attempt. Lawlor attacks Young with some ground and pound, Lawlor transitions to back control on Young before regaining the half guard. Lawlor again goes for the arm triangle choke and Young defends, Young eventually gets Lawlor back in his full guard. Lawlor keeps top control until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lawlor (Final Score: 30-27 for Lawlor)
Official Result: Tom Lawlor def. Jordan Young by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sadibou Sy vs. Alexey Kunchenko
Round One: The round begins with Sy attacking Kunchenko with some leg kicks, Sy also lands a two punch combo on Kunchenko. Kunchenko starts landing leg kicks of his own against Sy, Sy fires back and he peppers Kunchenko with some jabs. Sy also starts attacking the midsection of Kunchenko, Sy goes for a head kick and Kunchenko manages to block it. Sy keeps Kunchenko at a distance while swinging away at him, Kunchenko backs Sy into the cage wall after landing a right hook. The fighters exchange strikes while staying in the clinch, the fighters separate and Sy nails Kunchenko with a few knee strikes. Sy also lands more body kicks against Kunchenko, Kunchenko clinches with Sy again and they battle along the cage wall. Kunchenko scores a takedown on Sy as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sy
Round Two: The round begins with Sy popping Kunchenko with jabs and leg kicks, Kunchenko backs up Sy after landing his own leg kicks. Sy goes back to landing kicks to the midsection of Kunchenko, Sy rocks Kunchenko with a right and then he drops him with a follow up combination. Kunchenko scrambles to his feet and he gets Sy against the cage wall, Sy cracks Kunchenko with a few strikes while in the clinch. Kunchenko and Sy exchange more strikes while remaining in the clinch, the fighters separate and Sy kicks Kunchenko in the body again. Kunchenko fires back and he exchanges some strikes with Sy, Kunchenko hunts for a takedown on Sy as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Sy (Overall Score: 20-18 for Sy)
Round Three: The round begins with Kunchenko kicking Sy in the midsection, Sy goes for a head kick and Kunchenko blocks it. The fighters clinch and battle along the cage wall, the fighters exchange a bunch of strikes while in the clinch. The fighters separate and exchange some right hooks, Sy cracks an incoming Kunchenko with a kick to the midsection. Sy misses a wheel kick attempt and Kunchenko’s head kick attempt gets blocked, Kunchenko grabs Sy and he gets him against the cage wall. Kunchenko cracks Sy with a few strikes while in the clinch and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kunchenko (Final Score: 29-28 for Sy)
Official Result: Sadibou Sy def. Alexey Kunchenko by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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