Olivier Aubin-Mercier Grinds Out Clay Collard in 2023 PFL Championships Main Event

Five new Professional Fighting League world champions took home a belt and a $1 million payday Friday night at the 2023 PFL Championships in Washington D.C.

However, the main event saw a familiar face claim championship glory. Last year’s lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier (21-5, 10-0 PFL) defended his title against the surging “Cassius” Clay Collard in a competitive scrap. Collard dug in stinging body shots and pushed the Canadian back to the fence, but Aubin-Mercier routinely worked Collard (24-11, 6-3 PFL) on the ground. This resulted in "OAM" taking a unanimous decision win with a trio of 49-46 scorecards in his favor.

With multiple Bellator MMA champions in the crowd to promote eventual cross-promotional fights as a part of PFL’s takeover of the former rival promotion, the future of PFL looked exciting Friday night.

Ferreira Shocks Goltsov

You never know what’s bound to happen when giants face off. 244-pound Dennis Goltsov locked heads against 6-foot-8 Renan Ferreira, and the ensuing violence didn’t disappoint. Ferreira cashed out big off a thunderous right hand that took out Goltsov 26 seconds into the second round.

Goltsov (32-8, 10-3 PFL) started the fight strong and nearly finished his foe after transitioning into mount late in the first round. Goltsov showed that it would be a long night on the ground and nearly finished Ferreira with an Ezekiel choke. The Brazilian knew then he didn’t have long to play around.

Ferreira took advantage of every second he was on his feet to start the second frame. He rushed out of his corner and met Goltsov at the center cage before knocking him out with a pair of overhands. Ferreira finished up his work with a handful of hammer fists before the title was officially in his grasp. As the PFL heavyweight champion, Ferreira (12-3, 6-1 PFL) would love to welcome Francis Ngannou to the organization, but a showdown with Bellator champion Ryan Bader seems more likely.

Pacheco Survives Mokhnatkina Leglock

Larissa Pacheco made history, becoming the first two-division PFL champion after holding off Marina Mokhnatkina in the featherweight final. Pacheco, who upset Kayla Harrison in the lightweight final last season, notched a second belt in a fight that gave her little trouble besides a tight leglock in Round 1.

After five rounds of action, the scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, 49-46, all for Pacheco. The Brazilian's dominance over the first four rounds secured the victory. Pacheco (23-4, 12-2 PFL) largely set the pace of the fight and constantly tried to cut off the cage. Mokhnatkina seemed content with circling and avoiding Pacheco's heavy fists. Mokhnatkina amped up her offense late and stole the final round, but she fought to survive most of the fight.

Magomedkerimov Taps Sy

Magomed Magomedkerimov was the last man to defeat reigning PFL welterweight champion Sadibou Sy, and he proved Friday night that he was up to the task yet again. Magomedkerimov took a 2-0 lead in their rivalry after submitting Sy with a guillotine in the third round of the welterweight final.

The twitchy and erratic head movement of Magomedkerimov (34-6, 16-1 PFL) made it hard for Sy to figure out his distance and timing. Magomedkerimov took advantage and slipped his way inside for tight body locks that he evolved into takedowns.

Down 2-0 on the cards, Sy looked to up the pressure in the third round. After staying long with his kicks, Sy shot under Magomedkerimov’s right hand to clinch but was too high up, falling into a guillotine trap. Magomedkerimov quickly locked up the choke and $1 million seconds later at the 1:17 mark of Round 3.

Kasanganay Wins Light Heavyweight Gold

Impa Kasanganay’s prolific journey to the championship won’t be forgotten. Kasangnay went from sleeping in his car to earning a shot in the PFL Challenger Series and finally winning the entire light heavyweight tournament.

Kasanganay’s unconquerable spirit was on full display in his championship tilt against Joshua Silveira. Over five long rounds, Kasanganay dug deeper and proved that he wanted it more. Dominating Silveira in both striking and grappling, Kasanganay earned a unanimous decision win with three 50-45 scorecards in his favor.

Nearly two years ago, Kasanganay was knocked out by Carlston Harris. Now, he has the opportunity to blossom into one of the PFL’s biggest stars. In his post-fight interview, Kasanganay set up an eventual showdown with Bellator light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov.

Harrison Cruises Past Ladd

Kayla Harrison (16-1,15-1 PFL) showed little ring rust in her much-anticipated return to the SmartCage. It had been nearly a year since Harrison’s loss in last year’s lightweight final, but she got back to her winning ways in a 150-pound catchweight fight against Aspen Ladd (11-5, 2-2 PFL).

Harrison dominated Ladd on the ground en route to a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Harrison stated that she was nervous heading into the fight after re-dedicating herself to the sport after a year-long layoff. The two-time Olympic gold medalist had little trouble getting Ladd to the ground, but the finish eluded her. Ladd was gritty and kept the former PFL champion busy but lacked the power to get Harrison off her. Following her win, Harrison called out Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cristiane Justino to what would be one of the biggest fights in women’s MMA history.

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Brunson Decisions Overweight Cooper

Former UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson (24-9, 1-0 PFL) turned back the clock in his PFL debut. The 37-year-old Brunson outworked and outwrestled 2021 PFL welterweight champion Ray Cooper III, cruising to a clear unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-25).

Cooper (25-9-1 12-4-1 PFL) showed up for the middleweight showcase fight overweight, sluggish and unmotivated. Cooper cracked Brunson early with a right hand but failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Brunson recovered by inside-tripping Copper and settling into full mount. Brunson nearly gassed himself as he reigned down punches on a helpless Cooper. Brunson beat on Cooper until the bell mercifully ended the action.

Brunson’s wrestling dominated the Hawaiian all night. Brunson sunk in easy single legs and kept Cooper pinned for minutes at a time. It wasn’t pretty, but the win was indisputable.

Pinedo Claims Featherweight Glory

Jesus “El Mudo” Pinedo left a definitive statement Friday night, avenging his early season loss to Gabriel Braga with a third-round revenge-filled TKO to win the 2023 PFL Featherweight Championship.

Pinedo (23-6-1, 3-1 PFL) became the first Peruvian to win a major mixed martial arts title despite coming in as the underdog against the previously undefeated Braga (12-1, 4-1 PFL). Braga lit up Pinedo’s legs en route to a split decision win in their first fight, but Pinedo found success when he moved forward and let his hands go.

Braga looked to establish the calf kick early, but Pinedo offset its effectiveness by moving laterally. Pinedo’s pressure from the fight carried over into the rematch as he battered Braga with combinations. Braga’s defense was sturdy, but his guard could only fend off so many punches.

As Pinedo began to find a rhythm, his shots started to land much crisper. The beginning of the end came off a sneaky shovel hook that sent Braga stumbling into the ropes. The Brazilian immediately shelled up and took the brunt of Pinedo’s furious fists. Despite blocking most of the shots, Braga’s night was called early by referee Fernando Yamasaki at 53 seconds into Round 3.

With the win, Pinedo takes home the $1 million prize and sets up an eventual cross-promotional showdown with Bellator featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire in 2024.

Ali Walsh KOs Lopez

The grandson of Muhammad Ali was destined to have hands. Biaggio Ali Walsh (6-1 AMMA) showed flashes of “The Greatest” after floating around Joel Lopez for two short rounds. Ali Walsh stung Lopez with an overhand right before knocking him out cold with a left hook 1:24 into the second round of their amateur lightweight clash. Ali Walsh clearly has the speed and power to make the jump to the pro ranks. His legendary lineage doesn’t hurt, either. It’s only a matter of time.

Wu Outwrestles Caracappa

Bantamweight newcomer Phil Caracappa (11-3, 1-0 PFL) picked up a unanimous decision win over fellow PFL debutant Khai Wu (30-27, 29-28, 29-28). Caracappa entered 2-3 in his last five but picked up the biggest win of his career by outwrestling Wu in half-guard. Caracappa secured the position in all three rounds and punished Wu (7-5, 0-1 PFL) with punches every chance he got. Wu scrambled away and neutralized most of Caracappa’s attacks but never got to establish an offense of his own. He was out-worked for most of the 15 minutes, resulting in his third loss in four fights.

Stirn Outstrikes Blyden

Jesse Stirn (16-6, 1-2 PFL) opened the 2023 PFL Championship card with a gritty unanimous decision win over promotional newcomer Josh Blyden (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Blyden came in nearly a pound overweight and a step slower than Stirn but managed to secure a pair of takedowns early.

Stirn edged out his fellow featherweight in the clinch and battered him with thudding knees and elbows, which knotted up the fight heading into the final round. The final five minutes could’ve gone to either man, but a last-minute takedown from Stirn resonated with the judges. With the win, Stirn picked up his fifth straight victory and his first in the PFL SmartCage.