PFL returns for its second event of the season tonight hosting a 10-fight card live from the Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas, featuring featherweights and heavyweights. MMA Sucka brings you live coverage of this event and many more.
In the main event, reigning PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza (14-5) squares off with England’s own Stuart Austin (15-7). Cappelozza looks to continue his unbeaten run with PFL in his fifth promotional appearance. The 32-year-old has three stoppage wins in his four PFL bouts, two of which came within the first 2:30 of the fight. Cappelozza earned the PFL heavyweight championship, along with the patented PFL million dollar check, in a decision victory over Ante Delija at the PFL championship back in October. The champ does his training at Corinthians MMA and is a tenured veteran of mixed martial arts. Outside of PFL, he has shared the cage with Jiri Prochazka, Klidson Abreu, and Emiliano Sordi. Cappelozza is known for his vicious knockout power, scoring 13 of his 14 wins in that fashion, and has only been to a singular decision in 19 pro MMA bouts.
Austin steps into the PFL cage for the second time in hopes of dethroning the promotions heavyweight king. The 33-year-old looks to bounce back after a tough loss at PFL 8 2021. Despite not getting the result he wanted in his promotional debut, the English judo practitioner has won two of his last three. Austin has shared the cage with Johnny Walker, Dalcha Lungiambula, and Mark Godbeer, and is one of two men with a victory over current UFC contender Tom Aspinall. In his 22 pro bouts, he has seen the judges’ scorecards just four times. Austin has 12 finishes in his 15 pro victories, eight of which came by knockout. In a war between two powerful heavyweights, do not be surprised if the judges are not needed in this one.
Co-headlong the card is a battle between featherweights Lance Palmer (22-5) and Chris Wade (20-7). Two-time PFL featherweight champ and two-time WSOF featherweight champ Palmer returns to the PFL SmartCage for the 14th time tonight. In his last bout, he dropped a decision at PFL 6 2021 to the man who went on to win the tournament, Movlid Khaybulaev. The 35-year-old has been at the top of the promotions he has fought in from the jump. Palmer was originally one of the key members of Team Alpha Male but has since made the move to Las Vegas to train at Xtreme Couture. The 27-fight veteran is a relentless wrestler who prides himself on dominating his way to victory. Despite dropping both his PFL regular season bouts last year, he has his eyes on the million-dollar prize in what is a fresh start for the former crown holder.
Wade looks to build off the momentum he built last season finishing as the runner-up to the million-dollar winner, Khaybulaev. Despite nearly completing quite the Cinderella story, he seems to have unfinished business on his hands. Like Palmer, Wade’s last loss came courtesy of the reigning champion and he is also a veteran of 27 fights. Although he has a slew of submission wins, Wade has proven he can put someone’s lights out on the feet as he did so in his knockout victory over Arman Ospanov at PFL 4 2021. In his pro career, the UFC veteran has shared the cage with Islam Makhachev, Rustam Khabilov, and Natan Schulte. When it comes to being in a dog fight, it is safe to say Chris Wade is an expert. Count on this to be quite the chess match between two of the more notable featherweights outside of the UFC.
Also on the card, the return of England’s Brendan Loughnane (21-4), the showcase of highly touted heavyweight Renan Ferreria (8-2), the revenge tour of last season’s heavyweight runner-up, Ante Delija (19-5), and the PFL debut of UFC veteran Boston Salmon (8-3).
PFL 2 2022 Results
Main Card (ESPN 2/ESPN+, 9pm ET/6pm PT):
Bruno Cappelozza (15-5) def. Stuart Austin (15-8) via TKO at 4:24 of Round 1
Chris Wade (21-7) def. Lance Palmer (22-6) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Brendan Loughnane (22-4) def. Ryoji Kudo (10-3-1) via Technical Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at 3:00 of Round 3
Renan Ferreria (9-2) def. Jamelle Jones (12-8) via Knockout at :25 of Round 1
Denis Goltsov (28-7) def. Cody Goodale (8-6) via TKO at 3:20 of Round 1
Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT):
Ante Delija (20-5) def. Matheus Scheffel (15-8) via TKO at :59 of Round 2
Bubba Jenkins (17-5) def. Kyle Bochniak (11-6) via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Klidson Abreu (16-5) def. Adam Keresh (5-1) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sheymon Moraes (14-5) def. Boston Salmon (8-4) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Alejandro Flores (21-3) def. Saba Bolaghi (14-3-1) via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
