It’s the middle of August and that means one thing: The playoff intensity is heating up. Make no mistake, however: This is not a baseball post, though a number of MLB’s teams have October on their minds as the summer wains, except for the Chicago White Sox, who have already started thinking about Cactus League play in Spring Training next February.
In MMA, two playoff brackets are already down to the finalists for championship night later on this fall. This Friday, after a bye week on Aug. 9, the PFL‘s postseason resumes with PFL 8.
Action begins on ESPN+ with the showcase fights at 6:30 pm ET/ 3:30 pm PT before moving over to ESPN proper for the main card at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT. This week, the championship picture in both the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions crystalize as the semifinals continue. All told, barring any further late adjustments to Friday’s bout order, this show features 10 contests from Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, FL.
Light Heavyweights Meet for Spot in Final in PFL 8 Main Event
Highlighting the night’s itinerary is the second semifinal in the 205-lb. bracket in the PFL 8 main event. Defending PFL Light Heavyweight Champion and No. 1 seed Impa Kasanganay (17-4 MMA, 2-0 2024 PFL) takes on No. 4 seed Josh Silveira (13-3 MMA, 1-1 2024 PFL) in a rematch of the 2023 championship to determine the last spot in this year’s light heavyweight title bout.
Its winner advances to fight the victor of the No. 2 vs. No. 3 fight at 205 between Rob Wilkinson (19-2, 1 NC MMA, 2-0 2024 PFL) and Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (23-7-1 MMA, 2-0 2024 PFL) for the belt on an as-yet-unannounced day and date. As with all PFL fights through the semifinal round of the postseason, the PFL 8 main event is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.
. @danhardymma 𝐊𝐄𝐘𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 🔑@kingimpa 🆚 @jmdasilv
2023 #PFLWorldChampionship rematch set to main event #PFLHollywood
[ #PFLPlayoffs | Fri, Aug 16th | 9pm ET on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/27WIITCRPh
— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 11, 2024
The Series So Far
Ahead of the rematch, the all-time series between Kasanganay and Silveira stands at 1-0 in favor of the former. Last November, Kasanganay bested Silveira by unanimous decision after five rounds to take the title. How will chapter two be written?
2024 PFL 8 Main Event Fighter Comparison and Betting Odds
Heading into the PFL 8 main event on Friday night, Josh Silveira stands as the taller competitor at 6-foot-1, compared to Impa Kasanganay’s 5-foot-11 frame. Both contestants have identical reaches (75 inches apiece) and leg reaches (42 inches apiece) in this fight.
Currently, the oddsmakers have Impa Kasanganay installed as a -425 favorite on the money line, while Josh Silveira counters as a +330 underdog. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening this weekend in MMA and/or combat sports, please wager responsibly.
Kasanganay Looks to Run Winning Streak to Three
Impa Kasanganay enters the PFL 8 main event having posted a record of 4-1 in his last five fights. Currently, he’s won two fights in a row.
Last time out, he scored a TKO (doctor’s stoppage) at the end of the second round against Jakob Nedoh (8-3 MMA, 0-2 2024 PFL) on June 21. This victory gave him 11 points in the light heavyweight standings, eventually solidifying the top seed in the bracket while eliminating Nedoh from any playoff possibilities in the process.
Recently, he talked with Jimmy V3 about the challenge awaiting him on Friday night.
“I’m grateful,” the top seed began. “It’s cool. Josh Silveira is a solid fighter, so that’s always awesome. Florida’s been a blessing for me. I moved back from North Carolina Dec. 3, 2020. Being here at Kill Cliff [FC] and just all the things that have happened in-between, getting my first world title through this gym, it’s been good. It’s been really cool to be back in Florida and it’s not far from my hometown in Ft. Lauderdale.”
A year ago at this time, Kasanganay was just a week removed from clinching his spot in the championship. Now, he’s just a few days away from potentially locking in a berth in the title fight for the second straight season. Only Silveira stands in his way.
Silveira Eager to Rebound from June Loss and Get Revenge for Last Year’s Title Fight
In the other corner, Josh Silveira has gone 3-2 in his last five contests dating back to the 2023 season. Less than two months ago, he dropped a split decision to the aforementioned Rob Wilkinson, dropping him to the No. 4 seed in the playoffs and setting up this week’s rematch.
2024 marks Silveira’s third postseason appearance, but he told Jimmy V3 that he’s trying to stay locked in on what matters most.
“I went from [being] new to the PFL, now I see the new guys coming in,” Silveira said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, this is a tough season.’ I try to put the fighting at home, rematch, it’s so hard not to put it aside because it’s always in my mind, but I try to put it aside so I can really stay focused for this fight.”
Like Kasanganay, Silveira is also based out of South Florida, meaning that there’s no clear “home-cage advantage” for the PFL 8 main event this coming weekend. One thing is clear: He wants to settle the score.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
It’ll be another strength versus strength affair in the PFL 8 main event. Who will emerge victorious?
Kasanganay Can Flip the Script
Impa Kasanganay is a tough customer at the shop. If he finds himself in a bind once the cage door closes, he has the skillset to improve his position in the fight. One need look no further than his semifinal fight against Marthin Hamlet last year.
During the first round of a scheduled three, Kasanganay got dropped by Hamlet but popped back up. While in the clinch, Kasanganay’s defense remained stout and forced Hamlet to spend some of his energy in the early going. Afterward, the fighters exchanged strikes, but the former found a much-needed opening to unload a two-punch combination to send Hamlet flying backwards and on the canvas.
Kasanganay can end the PFL 8 main event with the right shots at the right time.
Silveira Works Quickly
In the other corner, don’t look away from the screen once Josh Silveira enters the cage in the PFL 8 main event. You just might miss everything.
A textbook example of a quick finish by this man happened vs. Tee Cummins three years ago. While the fighters stalked one another in the opening moments of the fight, Silveira hit on a perfectly-placed head kick to drop Cummins, ending the fight with a flurry of ground and pound shots.
If Silveira beats Kasanganay to the first big blow of the main event, he’ll book his spot in the championship once again.
Final Thoughts
Even though the PFL 8 main event takes place at 205 lbs., much like a heavyweight fight, don’t expect it to last the full 15 minutes. These guys can bring the pain.
Prediction: Impa Kasanganay by First-Round TKO.
