PFL 9 Results: The Heavyweight & Light Heavyweight Playoff Finalists Are Determined
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Main Card (8pm EST., ESPN 2)
Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Jared Rosholt def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
(Note: Francimar Barroso was supposed to fight Jared Rosholt in the above bout, but was deemed medically unfit to continue. Kelvin Tiller gets the replacement spot because he was the highest ranked fighter healthy enough to compete.)
Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Ali Isaev def. Denis Goltsov by TKO via strikes (4:59, R3)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Jordan Johnson def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Emiliano Sordi def. Bozigit Ataev by submission via rear naked choke (4:26, R1)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Francimar Barroso def. Alex Nicholson by unanimous decision (20-17, 19-18, 19-18)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Denis Goltsov def. Satoshi Ishii by majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18)
Preliminary Card (5pm EST., ESPN+)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Jared Rosholt def. Muhammed Dereese by TKO via strikes (3:41, R1)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Ali Isaev def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (20-16, 20-17, 20-17)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Rashid Yusupov def. Vinny Magalhaes by KO via strikes (2:46, R1)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Jordan Johnson def. Maxim Grishin by judges tie-breaker (19-19, 19-19, 19-19)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Bozigit Ataev def. Viktor Nemkov by judges tie-breaker (19-19, 19-19, 19-19)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Emiliano Sordi def. Sigi Pesaleli by TKO via strikes (1:13, R1)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Emiliano Sordi vs. Sigi Pesaleli
Round One: The round begins with Sordi attacking Pesaleli with some leg kicks, Sordi also attacks Pesaleli with some jabs. Sordi rocks Pesaleli with a straight right, Sordi attacks Pesaleli with a plethora of unanswered strikes. Sordi drops Pesaleli and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Emiliano Sordi def. Sigi Pesaleli by TKO via strikes (1:13, R1)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Bozigit Ataev vs. Viktor Nemkov
Round One: The round begins with Nemkov attacking Ataev with a few jabs and leg kicks, Nemkov scores a takedown on a spinning Ataev and he gets the open guard. Nemkov attacks Ataev with some ground and pound, Ataev scrambles to his feet and Nemkov attacks him with knee strikes. Ataev grabs Nemkov and he gets him against the cage wall, Ataev drops Nemkov with a combination and he pounces on him with more strikes. Ataev backs off and he allows Ataev to stand as well, Ataev charges at Nemkov while swinging away at him. Ataev grabs Nemkov and he gets him back against the cage wall, Ataev scores a takedown on a kicking Nemkov and he gets the full guard. Ataev postures up as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ataev
Round Two: The round begins with Nemkov attacking Ataev with a few jabs, the fighters stay at a distance and take some swings at each other. Nemkov grabs Ataev and gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Ataev cracks Nemkov with a right to the midsection. Nemkov grabs Ataev and gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Nemkov cracks Ataev with a short right. Nemkov grabs Ataev and gets him back against the cage wall, Nemkov nails Ataev with a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Nemkov (Final Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Official Result: Bozigit Ataev def. Viktor Nemkov by judges tie-breaker (19-19, 19-19, 19-19)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Maxim Grishin vs. Jordan Johnson
Round One: The round begins with Grishin nailing Johnson with a flying knee strike to the midsection, Grishin also starts attacking Johnson with some leg kicks. Johnson scores a takedown on Grishin and he gets back control, Grishin gets up with Johnson still on his back. Grishin shakes Johnson off of him and Johnson gets him against the cage wall, the fighters exchange strikes while in the clinch. The fighters separate and Johnson gets Grishin against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Grishin takes a few swings at Johnson. Johnson drops Grishin with a right and Grishin gets right back up, Johnson grabs Grishin and gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Grishin attacks Johnson with rights, Grishin rocks Johnson with a right and a follow up combo as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson
Round Two: The round begins with Grishin kicking Johnson in the midsection, Johnson scores a takedown on Grishin and he gets the half guard. Grishin eats a few strikes while getting Johnson in his full guard, Grishin scrambles to his feet and Johnson gets him against the cage wall. Johnson nails Grishin with a knee strike as they separate, Grishin comes forward and he attacks Johnson with some kicks. Grishin and Johnson also exchange a few rights, Johnson grabs Grishin and gets him up against the cage wall. Johnson separates from Grishin after landing a knee strike and uppercut, Johnson again grabs Grishin and gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Grishin attacks Johnson with a front kick followed by a right, Johnson grabs Grishin and gets him back against the cage wall. Grishin swings at Johnson as they separate and the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson (Final Score: 20-18 for Johnson)
Official Result: Jordan Johnson def. Maxim Grishin by judges tie-breaker (19-19, 19-19, 19-19)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Vinny Magalhaes vs. Rashid Yusupov
Round One: The round begins with Magalhaes attacking Yusupov with some leg kicks and high kicks, Yusupov tries keeping Magalhaes at a distance by peppering him with jabs. Yusupov backs up Magalhaes while attacking him with combinations, Yusupov backs up Magalhaes after landing a left. Yusupov then hits Magalhaes with a kick to the midsection, Yusupov also attacks Magalhaes with some leg kicks of his own. Yusupov levels Magalhaes with a two punch combination and Magalhaes face plants as the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Rashid Yusupov def. Vinny Magalhaes by KO via strikes (2:46, R1)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Kelvin Tiller vs. Ali Isaev
Round One: The round begins with Tiller grabbing a kicking Isaev and getting him against the cage all, the fighters exchange strikes while in the clinch. Isaev scores a takedown on Tiller and he gets the open guard, Isaev attacks Tiller with some ground and pound. Isaev transitions to the half guard against Tiller while landing more strikes, Tiller tries getting up as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Isaev
Round Two: The round begins with Tiller charging forward while swinging away at Isaev, Isaev scores a takedown on Tiller and he gets the half guard. Isaev attacks Tiller with some ground and pound, Isaev keeps Tiller down while attacking him with more strikes. Isaev continues landing strikes until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Isaev (Final Score: 20-18 for Isaev)
Official Result: Ali Isaev def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (20-16, 20-17, 20-17)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Muhammed Dereese vs. Jared Rosholt
Round One: The round begins with Dereese dropping Rosholt with a leg kick, Dereese attacks Rosholt with ground and pound. Dereese settles in the half guard of Rosholt while landing more strikes, Rosholt tries getting to his feet and Dereese gets back control while landing more strikes. Dereese moves to side control against Rosholt while landing more strikes, Dereese advances to the full mount against Rosholt. Rosholt scrambles to his feet and he scores a takedown on Dereese, Rosholt gains back control against Dereese. Rosholt attacks Dereese with ground and pound until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Jared Rosholt def. Muhammed Dereese by TKO via strikes (3:41, R1)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Denis Goltsov vs. Satoshi Ishii
Round One: The round begins with Goltsov attacking Ishii with a few jabs and leg kicks, Ishii backs up Goltsov after attacking him with a left. Ishii goes for a takedown and Goltsov defends while landing hammer fists, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. Ishii cracks a swinging Goltsov with a counter overhand left, Ishii grabs Goltsov and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters exchange some strikes while in the clinch, Ishii scores a takedown on Goltsov and he gets side control. Goltsov eventually gets Ishii back in his full guard, Goltsov catches Ishii in a triangle choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Ishii
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Goltsov backs up Ishii with a high kick attempt. Goltsov then cracks Ishii with a straight right, Goltsov follows that up by kicking Ishii in the midsection. Ishii recovers and he cracks Goltsov with a right, Ishii goes for a takedown and Goltsov defends by kicking at his legs. Goltsov stands over Ishii while continuously landing leg kicks, Goltsov gets on top of Ishii and he rolls for a triangle choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Goltsov (Final Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Official Result: Denis Goltsov def. Satoshi Ishii by majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18)
Heavyweight Playoff Quarterfinals
Alex Nicholson vs. Francimar Barroso
Round One: The round begins with Barroso attacking Nicholson with some jabs and leg kicks, Nicholson fires back with some leg kicks of his own. Nicholson comes forward while swinging away at Barroso, Barroso scores a takedown on Nicholson and he gets right back up. Barroso rocks Nicholson by landing an overhand right, Barroso drops a kicking Nicholson with a counter right and he gets the half guard on the ground. Nicholson scrambles to his feet and Barroso attacks him with a knee strike, Barroso then hits Nicholson with a left hook. Barroso rocks Nicholson again after connecting with more rights, Barroso scores another takedown on Nicholson and he gets back control. Nicholson gets up with Barroso holding onto him, Nicholson accidentally nails Barroso low and he lands a knee strike followed by a left before the referee jumps in. The fight resumes with Barroso instantly hunting for a takedown on Nicholson and Nicholson gets top control while landing strikes, Nicholson gets up and Barroso follows. Barroso continues cracking Nicholson with rights, Nicholson and Barroso swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Barroso
Round Two: The round begins with Barroso attacking Nicholson with some leg kicks, Nicholson accidentally kicks Barroso low again and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with the fighters swinging away at each other, Nicholson throws a leg kick and Barroso claims another low blow landed as the fight is halted. The fight resumes with the referee taking a point from Nicholson, the action resumes with Barroso looking for takedowns against Nicholson. Barroso then cracks a swinging Nicholson with a counter left, Barroso drops Nicholson with a right and Nicholson gets up while eating more strikes. Barroso scores a takedown on Nicholson and he gets the half guard, Nicholson gets Barroso in his full guard while eating a few strikes. Barroso scrambles and he gets the north/south position against Nicholson, Barroso returns to side control while landing a few strikes. Nicholson rolls for a kimura and Barroso escapes, Nicholson also looks for a choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-8 for Barroso (Final Score: 20-17 for Barroso)
Official Result: Francimar Barroso def. Alex Nicholson by unanimous decision (20-17, 19-18, 19-18)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Jordan Johnson vs. Rashid Yusupov
Round One: The round begins with Johnson attacking Yusupov with an overhand right, the fighters stay at a distance while exchanging a few strikes. Yusupov then cracks Johnson with a straight left, Yusupov and Johnson exchange kicks to the midsection. Yusupov cracks a kicking Johnson with a counter left, Johnson nails Yusupov with a body kick followed by a multiple punch combination. Yusupov attacks Johnson with a spinning back kick to the midsection as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson
Round Two: The round begins with Yusupov attacking Johnson with lefts and a body kick, Johnson comes forward while swinging away at Yusupov. Johnson backs up Yusupov while landing some left hooks, Yusupov hits Johnson with a front kick to the midsection. Johnson looks for a takedown before attacking Yusupov with lefts, Johnson grabs Yusupov and he gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Yusupov cracks Johnson with a right, Johnson kicks Yusupov in the midsection as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson (Overall Score: 20-18 for Johnson)
Round Three: The round begins with Yusupov cracking a swinging Johnson with a high kick, Yusupov and Johnson get into a striking exchange. Johnson scores a takedown on Yusupov and he gets him in the seated position, Johnson attacks Yusupov with some ground and pound. Johnson transitions to back control against Yusupov, Yusupov spins and Johnson keeps him seated against the cage wall. Yusupov tries getting up as Johnson swings away at him, Johnson regains back control and he nails Yusupov with more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Johnson (Final Score: 30-27 for Johnson)
Official Result: Jordan Johnson def. Rashid Yusupov by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-27)
Light Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Emiliano Sordi vs. Bozigit Ataev
Round One: The round begins with Sordi peppering Ataev with jabs, Ataev starts attacking Sordi with some leg kicks. Sordi continues coming forward and swinging away at Ataev, Sordi backs Ataev into the cage wall while landing a multiple strike combination. Sordi goes after Ataev by landing some leg kicks, Ataev also nails Sordi with some leg kicks of his own. Ataev backs up Sordi after landing a left hook, Ataev briefly drops Sordi after landing an overhand right. Sordi scores a takedown on Ataev and he gets the half guard, Sordi gains full mount and then back control while attacking Ataev with strikes. Sordi locks in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Emiliano Sordi def. Bozigit Ataev by submission via rear naked choke (4:26, R1)
Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Jared Rosholt vs. Kelvin Tiller
Round One: The round begins with Tiller attacking Rosholt with some leg kicks, Rosholt starts hunting for the takedown against Tiller. Rosholt grabs Tiller and gets him up against the cage wall, Rosholt scores a takedown on Tiller and he gets side control. Rosholt gains full mount and he gets Tiller in an arm triangle choke, Tiller scrambles to escape the submission attempt. Rosholt moves to the half guard against Tiller while landing a few strikes, Rosholt lands more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rosholt
Round Two: The round begins with Tiller taking some swings at Rosholt, Rosholt grabs Tiller and gets him against the cage wall. Rosholt goes for a takedown and Tiller gets free after a choke attempt, Rosholt again gets Tiller against the cage wall before scoring a takedown. Rosholt gains the half guard while looking for a kimura on Tiller, Rosholt advances to the full mount against Tiller before Tiller gets him in the half guard again. Rosholt attacks Tiller with some ground and pound, the referee stands up the fighters for inactivity. The action resumes with the fighters swinging away at each other until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rosholt (Overall Score: 20-18 for Rosholt)
Round Three: The round begins with Rosholt nailing Tiller with a knee strike before getting him against the cage wall, Rosholt scores a takedown on Tiller and he gets the full mount. Tiller gets Rosholt in his half guard while eating some strikes, Tiller rolls for an arm bar and Rosholt escapes to keep top control. Rosholt lands a few more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rosholt (Final Score: 30-27 for Rosholt)
Official Result: Jared Rosholt def. Kelvin Tiller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Heavyweight Playoff Semi-Finals
Ali Isaev vs. Denis Goltsov
Round One: The round begins with Goltsov attacking Isaev with some jabs, Isaev responds by landing some leg kicks. Goltsov backs up Isaev after throwing a few rights, Isaev goes for a spin kick to the head of Goltsov and Goltsov blocks it. Goltsov comes forward and he takes a few swings against Isaev, the fighters throw a few strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Goltsov
Round Two: The round begins with Goltsov cracking an incoming Isaev with a short right, Goltsov backs up Isaev while swinging away at him. Isaev looks for a takedown and Goltsov defends by briefly grabbing a front headlock, Isaev scores a takedown on Goltsov. Goltsov quickly sweeps Isaev and he gets side control, Isaev sweeps Goltsov to regain top control. Goltsov looks for a triangle choke and Isaev quickly escapes, Isaev keeps top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Isaev (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Goltsov attacking Isaev with some leg kicks, Goltsov keeps Isaev at a distance while swinging away at him. Isaev starts attacking Goltsov with some leg kicks, Goltsov cracks Isaev with a few punches before avoiding a takedown attempt. Isaev drops Goltsov with a right and he pounces on him with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Ali Isaev def. Denis Goltsov by TKO via strikes (4:59, R3)
