The Professional Fighters League returns following a two-month break with highly-anticipated playoffs just around the corner. PFL 7 2021 will take place later tonight, August 13 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. This marks the start a three-week stretch of semifinal pairings before the million-dollar tournament finale on October 27. Tonight’s main card will begin at 9:00pm ET (6:00pm PT) live for both subscribers on ESPN+ and cable viewers on ESPN 2.
Stay tuned to MMASucka for our Bellator 264: Mousasi vs. Salter staff picks, the event also beginning at the start time of PFL 7 2021.
The Fights
Lightweight (155 pounds) and welterweight (170 pounds) semifinals will lead the show on tonight’s main card. Former Bellator champion Rory MacDonald and 2019 tournament winner Ray Cooper III are locked in as the featured bout of the card, coming in the welterweight division. The two, as well as fighters Sadibou Sy and Magomed Magomedkerimov in the co-main slot, all look to make a statement and advance their way into their divisional final. Sy steps in as the number five seed after top-seed Joao Zeferino was forced out of the tournament due to an injury.
The final four welterweights of Clay Collard, Raush Manfio, Loik Radzhabov, and Alexander Martinez will all fight on the main card for their spot in the finals. One-seed Radzhabov will rematch against the four-seed of Martinez, while PFL’s newcomers of 2021 Collard and Manfio face off for the first time.
Who are the staff picking to win at PFL 7 2021? Check each prediction further below.
Staff Picks
Throughout the calendar year, staff picks will be composed of main card fights from UFC and Bellator events and a variety of fights from PFL MMA. Dana White’s Contender Series will make its debut in just a few short weeks.
The WINNER of staff picks in 2021 will have a choice between receiving a custom-made championship belt from ProAmBelts or chain from Championship Chains. For the third straight year, Michael DeSantis captured the 2020 victory compiling a record of 201-88.
See our PFL 7 2021 staff picks below.
Staff Records after UFC 265:
1. Nate Freeman: 127-73
2. Wesley Riddle: 126-74
3. Michael DeSantis: 122-78
4. Frazer Krohn: 117-83
5. Ash Camyab: 113-78
6. Jeremy Brand: 108-93
7. Mitchell Banuelos: 107-89
8. Mike Lynch: 104-86
9. Tim Wheaton: 88-66
10. Andrew Benjamin: 85-92
11. Kenny Lee: 77-64
12. Matt Bricker: 57-57
13. Brandon Joint: 52-25
14. Chris Presnell: 14-5
15. Maria Morales: 9-1
*Note – not all staff pick for every event*
Loik Radzhabov (14-3-1) vs. Alexander Martinez (8-1, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Martinez via UD
Wesley Riddle: Radzhabov via UD
Michael DeSantis: Radzhabov via UD
Ash Camyab: Radzhabov via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Radzhabov via UD
Frazer Krohn: Radzhabov via UD
Mike Lynch: Radzhabov via Round 2 TKO
Nate Freeman: Radzhabov via UD
Brandon Joint: Radzhabov via UD
Chris Presnell: Radzhabov via UD
Staff picking Radzhabov: 9
Staff picking Martinez: 1
Clay Collard (20-8, 1 NC) vs. Raush Manfio (13-3)
Jeremy Brand: Collard via Round 2 TKO
Wesley Riddle: Collard via SD
Michael DeSantis: Collard via UD
Ash Camyab: Collard via Round 3 TKO
Andrew Benjamin: Collard via Round 1 TKO
Frazer Krohn: Collard via Round 2 TKO
Mike Lynch: Collard via UD
Nate Freeman: Collard via UD
Brandon Joint: Collard via Round 3 TKO
Chris Presnell: Collard via Round 2 TKO
Staff picking Collard: 10
Staff picking Manfio: 0
Magomed Magomedkerimov (28-5) vs. Sadibou Sy (9-5-2, 1 NC)
Jeremy Brand: Magomedkerimov via UD
Wesley Riddle: Magomedkerimov via Round 1 SUB
Michael DeSantis: Magomedkerimov via Round 1 SUB
Ash Camyab: Magomedkerimov via UD
Andrew Benjamin: Sy via UD
Frazer Krohn: Magomedkerimov via UD
Mike Lynch: Magomedkerimov via UD
Nate Freeman: Magomedkerimov via Round 2 TKO
Brandon Joint: Magomedkerimov via UD
Chris Presnell: Magomedkerimov via Round 1 SUB
Staff picking Magomedkerimov: 9
Staff picking Sy: 1
Rory MacDonald (22-7-1) vs. Ray Cooper III (22-7-1)
Jeremy Brand: MacDonald via UD
Wesley Riddle: MacDonald via SD
Michael DeSantis: MacDonald via UD
Ash Camyab: MacDonald via UD
Andrew Benjamin: MacDonald via Round 2 SUB
Frazer Krohn: Cooper III via UD
Mike Lynch: Cooper III via UD
Nate Freeman: MacDonald via SD
Brandon Joint: Cooper III via UD
Chris Presnell: MacDonald via UD
Staff picking MacDonald: 7
Staff picking Cooper III: 3
FEATURED IMAGE:
Clay Collard (left) and Raush Manfio faceoff ahead of their PFL 7 2021 semifinal fight taking place Friday, August 13 from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida (photo credits to PFL MMA).
