Sherdog’s live
2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals coverage will begin Friday
at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Round 1
A featherweight tilt pitting Nelson (8-4, 0-1 PFL) against the
undefeated Diggs (5-0, 0-0 PFL) kicks off festivities at Bojangles
Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. Joseph Hawes steps in as the
referee. Nelson gets busy with his jab. Diggs ducks into punching
range, cracks him with an overhand right and clinches, pressing him
into the fence. Nelson separates and shoots a jab to the body,
followed by one to the head. Diggs counters with a right hook over
the top and tries to crowd his opponent. He changes levels and gets
in on the hips. Nelson denies his bid for a takedown but winds up
in the clinch. They separate, and Nelson connects with a counter
right. Diggs shoots again, only to have another takedown attempt
turned away. Midway through the round. Diggs tracks his target from
the center, flicks out his jab and dives in to another clinch.
Ninety seconds left. Nelson lands a slashing elbow and buckles his
counterpart’s knees with a right hook. Diggs completes a takedown
briefly. Nelson gets back to his feet. Diggs feeds him knees to the
thigh from the rear waist lock. They battle in the clinch. Nelson
lands a few knees to the body. Diggs bleeding from a cut below his
right eye but secures a takedown at the end of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Diggs
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Diggs
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Diggs
Round 2
Back for the second round. Nelson steps forward with his jab, cuts
off a takedown attempt and lands an elbow on the break. Diggs
clinches along the fence. Nelson connects with a knee to the body
at close range. Diggs looks to answer. He moves in for another
takedown, only to eat a series of elbows and hammerfists to the
side of the head, forcing him to separate. Back they go to the
clinch. Digging punches to the body from Diggs. Nelson answers with
a knee to the body and a shovel uppercut. Diggs eats it and
clinches again. More knees to the body from Nelson. Diggs works
behind him and lifts him off his feet but cannot get him to the
ground. Instead, he fires a few knees to the outer thigh. Nelson
turns and faces him, then separates. Diggs blocks a head kick but
eats a jab. Nelson circles into open space and cuts loos with a
jab. Diggs punches his way back into the clinch. Nelson stonewalls
another takedown attempt and circles away, narrowly missing a left
hook and right uppercut. Nice short elbow from Nelson. Diggs
continues to pin him to the fence. Nelson forces him to retreat
with a thudding right hand over the top. Diggs clinches again and
presses him into the cage before getting off a right hook.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nelson
Round 3
Could be anyone’s fight here. They trade punches in the center of
the cage. Nelson tries to sneak in an elbow. Diggs doubles up on
his jab and clinches along the fence. Nelson pushes his opponent
away and separates. Diggs closes the distance and eats a knee up
the middle. He resets and gets back to his forward pressure, mixing
his left hook with jabs. Thudding overhand right from Nelson. Diggs
answers to the body, plows forward and clinches. Nelson connects
with an elbow and sprawls on a takedown attempt. Diggs stays
attached and pushes him back to the cage. Nelson fires a few knees
to the body and avoids another takedown. Diggs lands a right hand
over the top. Nelson responds with jabs. Diggs clinches once more,
throwing short punches to the body with both hands. Ninety seconds
to go, and there’s not much separating these two. Nelson boxes the
ears. Diggs stays in his face with punches, then clinches. Hooks to
the body from Diggs. Nelson responds with a right hand over the
top, followed by a jab. They exchange with 30 seconds left on the
clock. Diggs stings him with a right hook and backs him to the
fence. Nelson lands a knee from the collar tie. They flurry until
the bell sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Diggs (29-28 Diggs)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nelson (29-28 Nelson)
The Official Result
Damion Nelson def. Isaiah Diggs—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
29-28)
Round 1
Next up: a three-round bantamweight encounter slotting the unbeaten
Khavalov (9-0, 1-0 PFL) opposite Ndregjoni (11-4, 0-0 PFL). Hawes
handles duties as the third man in the cage. They touch gloves to
get started. Khavalov opens with a counter left uppercut, then
pumps out his jab. Heavy low kick from Khavalov. Ndregjoni counters
with a right hook. More jabs from Khavalov. Ndregjoni lands an
inside leg kick. Khavalov bobs, weaves and feints. Ndregjoni steps
forward with winging punches but misses his target, setting off a
volley of punches from his adversary. Khavalov continues to score
with his jab and low kicks. Ndregjoni gets in on a single-leg.
Khavalov widens his base along the fence and peppers him with
punches to the side of the head.
Ndregjoni separates but leaves himself open. Khavalov connects with
a crushing knee to the face, then pounds away with punches to
finish it. Beautiful stuff from the Russian.
The Official Result
Renat Khavalov def. Vilson Ndregjoni—TKO (Knee and Punches) 2:49
R1
Round 1
Women’s flyweights are next to the stage, as de Sousa (3-0, 0-0
PFL) takes on Orozco (8-7, 0-2 PFL) at 125 pounds. Woods
officiates. Glove touch, and off they go. De Sousa takes the center
of the cage and opens with a sharp leg kick, followed by another.
Orozco off to a tentative start. Left hook-right cross combo from
de Sousa, who paws with her jab and lands a front kick to the body.
Another front kick to the body doubles over Orozco. De Sousa
unleashes her hands with a hellacious punching barrage to the head
and body, mixing in knees along the way. She blocks a spinning back
fist and resets. Leg kick from de Sousa, who looks the part of a
blue-chip prospect thus far. Orozco cuts loose with a few punches
and connects with a jab. De Sousa fires back with one of her own,
followed by a leg kick. The Brazilian gets in on the hips and
drives Orozco to the fence. Orozco stays upright. De Sousa
threatens with a standing guillotine, bails on the choke and turns
her opponent into the cage. One minute to go. Orozco defending
takedowns well along the fence. Thirty seconds to go. De Sousa
separates and eats a body kick. Orozco flurries but walks into a
double-leg takedown in the waning seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa
Round 2
Orozco has some work to do at the start of the middle stanza. De
Sousa greets her with a jab, followed by two more. Orozco connects
with a counter right hook. She clinches and lands a knee to the
body. De Sousa drives into a takedown and goes to work on the
ground. She controls the farside wrist and feeds Orozco left hands
before moving to the back. Orozco works back to her knees. De Sousa
pounds away with punches and prevents her opponent from getting to
her feet. She jumps to the back and secures position with a body
triangle. Orozco gets to her feet, only to have de Sousa drag her
to the canvas again. Punches follow. Orozco escapes and turns the
Brazilian into the fence, firing knees to the body. They separate.
De Sousa plunks her with a few jabs and circles into open space.
Ninety seconds on the clock. Straight left from de Sousa, who trips
Orozco to the mat in the center of the cage. She goes to work from
half guard and climbs to full mount in the closing seconds. She
sets up for an armbar, but the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa
Round 3
De Sousa looks to have built quite a lead through the first 10
minutes. They meet in the middle. De Sousa fires off a jab, then a
low kick. She switches stances, lands a front kick to the body and
cracks Orozco with a right hand over the top. Another front kick to
the midsection from de Sousa. Orozco presses forward with punches
but hits only air. Multi-punch volley from de Sousa. Orozco cuts
off a takedown attempt. Lead left hook from de Sousa, followed by a
brutal right uppercut. She follows hooks from both hands with a
knee up the middle. Sharp jab from de Sousa. She snatches a collar
tie and lands a series of knees followed by a body kick. De Sousa
completes a takedown and moves behind her kneeling opponent,
shooting knees to the body. Orozco stands. De Sousa drags her back
to the mat, using more horsepower than technique. Orozco gets back
to her feet. Fifty seconds to go. They clinch along the fence.
Orozco shuts down a single-leg, as they trade at close range. They
separate for the final 10 seconds. De Sousa clinches to close it
out.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa (30-27 de Sousa)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa (30-27 de Sousa)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 de Sousa (30-27 de Sousa)
The Official Result
Sabrina de Sousa def. Saray Orozco—Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
Pressing forward with the prelims, Walsh (2-1, 2-1 PFL) looks to
rebound from his first professional defeat when he meets Grundy
(3-1, 0-0 PFL) in a lightweight confrontation. Blake Grice
adjudicates matters. They touch gloves and get to work. Leg kick
from Grundy. Walsh answers with one of his own and another. Quick
one-two from Grundy, followed by a right hand over the top. Leg
kick from Walsh, then another. They trade jabs. Grundy lands a
front kick to the body. Walsh hunts a one-two, misfires and settles
for a leg kick. Grundy jabbing while moving backwards. Leg kick
from Walsh, followed by a right hand over the top. Inside leg kick
from Grundy, who jabs at the body. Grundy connects with a sharp
one-two. Walsh answers with a leg kick. Grundy sticks him with jabs
and narrowly misses a looping right hook. Two body kicks from
Walsh. Grundy grazes him with an uppercut. A minute left in the
round. Walsh dives on the hips and clinches briefly. Grundy shakes
him off and lands a clubbing right, then gets back to his jab.
Grundy jabs at the body and blocks a front kick. Fans boo the
perceived lack of action as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Grundy
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Grundy
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Grundy
Round 2
Back at it after a closely contested first round. Front kick to the
body from Grundy, who follows with an overhand right. Walsh answers
with a leg kick, then another. He then targets the body with a
front kick. Grundy cracks him with a one-two. Walsh lands a leg
kick backs it up with a right hand, then jabs at the body. Grundy
circles on the outside. Front kick to the body from Walsh. More
boos from the crowd. They exchange jabs. Walsh scores with another
front kick. Grundy backs him up with an overhand right. Stiff jab
from Walsh, who follows it with a front kick to the body and two
more jabs. Another leg kick from Walsh. Grundy shoots on a takedown
and gets stonewalled. Walsh doubles up on his jab and lands a leg
kick. He follows an overhand right with a left hook, then stops
another attempted takedown. Front kick to the body from Walsh,
followed by a one-two. Grundy’s output has taken a noticeable dip.
Jab from Walsh. Grundy bleeding from the nose with a minute left in
the round. Front kick to the body from Walsh, who backs up an
overhand right with a straight left. Walsh sticks him with a right
hand, followed by a jab. Strong round from the favorite.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Walsh
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Walsh
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Walsh
Round 3
Could be 1-1 at the start of the Round 3. Walsh gets back on his
jab and blocks a head kick. Strong low kick from Walsh, who keeps
his opponent on the back foot with steady activity. Grundy paws
with his jab. Front kick to the body from Walsh, who dodges an
uppercut. Grundy circles on the outside and jabs to the body, then
connects with an overhand right. Walsh rolls with it and answers.
Double jab from Grundy followed by a cross. Walsh responds with a
one-two, then scores with his jab and a leg kick. Overhand right
from Walsh, who continues to command the center of the cage as the
aggressor. Grundy sneaks in a right hand. Walsh goes back to the
front kick to the body. Leg kick from Walsh, then another. He
counters a knee with an overhand right. Grundy slips and gets back
to his feet.
Walsh pins him on the fence, cracks him with a left hook to the
body and goes upstairs with a right cross. Grundy hits the deck,
where Walsh meets him with punches and hammerfists for the
finish.
The Official Result
Biaggo Ali Walsh def. Adryan Grundy—TKO (Punches) 3:23 R3
Round 1
Women’s flyweights tie a bow on the undercard, as Velasquez (13-4,
1-2 PFL) rematches Shakalova (9-3, 1-1 PFL). Jason Herzog steps in
as the referee. They touch gloves and start circling. Neither woman
looks eager to exchange. Shakalova crashes forward with punches,
missing most of them. Velasquez sidesteps her and moves into open
space. She lands a counter left. Shakalova circles on the outside
and crashes forward with a right hook. Velasquez answers with a
jab. Shakalova connects with a right hook. One-two from Velasquez,
then another. Shakalova reaching with her punches. Velasquez denies
a takedown, stays in the center and counters with both hands.
One-two from the Brazilian, who shuts down a takedown attempt. Two
minutes to go in the round. Clubbing left over the top from
Velasquez, who stays out of range of the return fire. Shakalova
still reaching with her punches. Velasquez counters with a right
hook. Shalakova whiffs from the outside. Velasquez circles and
hunts counters. Overhand left from Shakalova, who follows it with a
right hook. Shakalova nets a takedown in the closing seconds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez
Round 2
Shakalova steps forward with punches at the start of the round and
fails to secure a takedown. Velasquez circles back to the center
and gets busy with her jab. Shakalova struggle to get into range
against the longer, taller Brazilian. Counter right hook from
Velasquez, who sprawls on a takedown and lands a knee on the break.
Another effective sprawl from Velasquez, who stops the takedown and
breaks away. They trade in the center of the cage, and both women
land. Velasquez feeds her a few jabs and another. Shakalova stuck
on the outside right now. Velasquez jabs at the body. Damage
starting to show near Shakalova’s right eye. They clinch in the
center. Velasquez breaks away. She lands a right hook and dodges
Shakalova’s bid to counter. Crowd growing restless again. Velasquez
steps into a left hand, circles and jabs. Shakalova shoots on a
single-leg and goes nowhere. Twenty seconds to go. Jumping knee
from Velasquez finds the mark. Shakalova blitzes forward with an
overhand left as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez
Round 3
Velasquez seems to have built a big lead through 10 minutes.
Shakalova presses forward behind punches. Velasquez answers with a
counter right hook, then turns back to her jab. Leg kick from
Shakalova. One-two from Velasquez. Shakalova gets in on a
single-leg, sheds a guillotine and completes the takedown. She
lands in side control. Velasquez escapes and gets back to her feet.
More jabs from the Brazilian. Three minutes to go. They trade jabs.
Velasquez cracks her with a one-two, then jabs at the body.
Shakalova shoots on a single-leg. Velasquez shuts it down, eats a
few rear elbows and lands a left hand on the break. Right hook from
Shakalova. Time running out on the Ukrainian. Velasquez continues
to lean on her jab. She cracks Shakalova with a straight left and
cuts off a takedown with a guillotine. Shakalova frees herself but
eats punches in the process. More jabs from Velasquez, who dodges a
spinning backfist. Desperation time for Shakalova, who needs a
finish but cannot find one.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez (30-27 Velasquez)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez (30-27 Velasquez)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Velasquez (30-27
Velasquez)
The Official Result
Juliana Velasquez def. Ekaterina Shakalova—Unanimous Decision
(30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Round 1
Lightweights get the ball rolling on the main card, where Burnell
(20-7, 2-2 PFL) squares off with Watley (15-3, 2-1 PFL) in a
155-pound showcase. Grice administers the law and order. The only
non-title fight left is underway. Burnell immediately probes with
his jab. They trade front kicks to the body. Burnell presses
forward behind punches and lands a leg kick. Body kick from Watley.
Burnell ducks into a takedown and snatches the neck. Watley stands
and denies a takedown. They go to work in the clinch. Knees to the
body from Watley. Short punches from Burnell. Fans boo. Burnell
continues to lean on the American, pressing him into the fence.
Grueling stuff. Watley shuts down a single-leg, lands a knee to the
body and a short left hook. Jabs from Watley. Burnell clinches. One
of Watley’s knee strikes strays south of the border and results in
a brief pause to the action. Burnell punches back into the clinch,
separates and smashes away with hooks to the body. A right hook
over the top staggers Watley. Burnell closes the distance and lets
his hands go from close range. Watley not having much fun in the
clinch. Burnell cuts off his escape and continues to drive hooks
into the ribs. He sneaks behind Watley and trips him to the canvas
before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Burnell
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Burnell
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Burnell
Round 2
They touch gloves to start the second round. Burnell immediately
presses forward. Leg kick from Watley, who circles on the outside
and lands a kick to the body. Burnell digs punches to the body and
moves into the clinch. Watley pinned to the fence and forced to
carry the Dane’s weight. Watley sweeps him to the floor but
clinches. Burnell eats a kick to the body and flurries with
punches. Back to the clinch they go. Burnell maneuvers behind him
and sweeps him to the canvas. Watley gets back to his feet. Burnell
digs more punches to the body. He again moves behind Watley. The
American turns and faces, then denies a single-leg. They separate.
Body kick from Watley, turning Burnell’s right side an ugly shade
of pink. The Dane clinches, then lands to the body and head. Watley
has no real answer in the clinch. Less than a minute to go. Burnell
completes a takedown at the base of the cage. Watley stands. They
separate. Front kick to the body from Watley, who circles and
throws. Burnell answers as the round concludes.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Burnell
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Burnell
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Burnell
Round 3
Could be 2-0 Burnell or 1-1. They hug before they get back to it.
Watley opens with a head kick, follows with a switch knee and
swarms. Burnell lures him back into the clinch. He scrambles out of
a takedown, and they tumble across the cage. Watley lands elbows to
the body as Burnell clings to a single-leg. More elbows from Watley
who settles in top position. Burnell scrambles but goes nowhere.
Watley hammers away with elbows and punches. Tide has turned, at
least for now. Watley moves to half guard and scores with punches
and hammerfists, then passes to side control. More elbows from
Watley. Burnell fading here. Watley cuts loose with left hands, and
the Dane’s mouthpiece shoots out. Elbows and punches draw Grice’s
attention. He asks Burnell to fight back. Watley continues throwing
until the referee waves it off.
The Official Result
2025 PFL World Tournament Bantamweight Final:
Justin
Wetzell (134.8) vs. Marcirley
Alves (134.8)
Round 1
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 2
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 3
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 4
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 5
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
The Official Result
2025 PFL World Tournament Women’s Flyweight Final:
Jena
Bishop (124.8) vs. Liz
Carmouche (125)
Round 1
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 2
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 3
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 4
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 5
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
The Official Result
2025 PFL World Tournament Lightweight Final:
Alfie
Davis (154.2) vs. Gadzhi
Rabadanov (154.8)
Round 1
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 2
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 3
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 4
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round:
Round 5
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round:
J.L. Kirven scores the round:
Mike Pendleton scores the round: