The 2021 season of PFL is back with some emphatic fights announced. PFL 2 will be headlined by UFC Canadian veteran Rory MacDonald vs PFL 2019 runner-up David Michaud on April 29. PFL 2 will feature their welterweight and light heavyweights and will be broadcast on ESPN 2 and ESPN+. PFL 1 fight card announcements were made earlier.
PFL 2 on ESPN2
American Born David Michaud (18-6) has fought on the Ultimate Fighter, the UFC, Bellator, and made his biggest success during the 2019 PFL season. “Bulldawg” Michaud has won 50% of his bouts via KO/TKO. From British Columbia Rory MacDonald (21-6-1) will be making his debut on PFL 2 April 29th. MacDonald has fought for the UFC welterweight title as well as held the Bellator welterweight title. Since making his pro debut in 2005 at age 16 MacDonald has had notable fights against Robbie Lawler, Douglas Lima, Nate Diaz, among others.
The 2019 PFL welterweight champion Ray Cooper III (20-7-1) will return on PFL 2 in the co-headlining spot facing off against French-born Jason Ponet (20-12-1). Ponet fights out of AKA Thailand and made his pro debut in 2008. The Hawaiian-born knockout artist Cooper will be looking to add another PFL title to his record this season. Of his 20 wins in MMA Cooper has won 14 of them by way of KO/TKO.
The light heavyweight portion of PFL 2 starts with Jordan Johnson (12-2-1), the NCAA Division 1 wrestler, in a showdown against UFC veteran Tom Lawlor (10-7-1). Johnson won the 2006 Class AA Illinois state heavyweight state title. Lawlor most recently fought in Golden Boy Promotions in 2018 but has also been active in professional wrestling, competing in Major League Wrestling and most recently New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
The Argentinian champion Emiliano Sordi (22-8) returns and is hunting for more knockouts. During the 2019 season Sordi won 4 out of 5 bouts KO/TKO en route to his PFL season championship and impressively has won 16bouts via KO/TKO. Facing him at PFL 2 will be experienced UFC fighter Chris Camozzi (25-14). Camozzi notably has had 19 fights in the UFC and will be making his PFL debut. Sordi “He-Man” will be looking to add more to his highlight reel on ESPN 2.
PFL 2 on ESPN+
The 2018 season champion Magomed Magomedkerimov (26-5), of Dagestan, Russia, will be fighting on the ESPN+ portion of PFL 2. Standing across from him will be “The Brazilian Samurai” João Zeferino (24-9). Both fighters are undefeated in PFL.
Returning on PFL 2 and aiming for gold is Canada’s Smealinho Rama (11-5-1). He will face off against Jordan Young (11-1) who is making his PFL debut. The two light heavyweights have each a loss in their last bout and will both be seeking to get back to the win column.
Fighting since 1999 with 28 UFC Brazil’s Gleison Tibau (35-14) will make his PFL debut at age 37. Tibau is a long-time veteran of MMA and has fought Nick Diaz, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Rafael dos Anjos amongst many others. Facing Tibau at PFL 2 will be Alexey Kunchenko (20-2). Kunchenko will be seeking more gold in PFL and was the four-time M-1 Global welterweight champion.
PFL 2
ESPN 2 Card
Rory MacDonald vs. David Michaud
Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Ponet
Jordan Johnson vs. Tom Lawlor
Emiliano Sordi vs. Chris Camozzi
ESPN+ Card
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Joao Zeferino
Smealinho Rama vs. Jordan Young
Cezar Ferreira vs. Nick Roehrick
Gleison Tibau vs. Aleksei Kunchenko
Sadibou Sy vs. Nikolai Aleksakhin
Dan Spohn vs. Marthin Hamlet
PFL will be on April 29th on ESPN 2 and ESPN+, venue yet to be announced, more announcements to follow regarding PFL events. More regular PFL season events to follow on May 6th, and June 10th, June 17th, and June 25th.
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