Another weekend of fights is about to begin! Tonight, on the second evening of summer, the PFL SmartCage sets up shop inside the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on the campus of The University of Utah for PFL 5.
It’s the second and final chance for lightweights and light heavyweights to accumulate points in the standings to become the top four and qualify for the Aug. 16 playoffs in PFL 8. Live coverage begins at 5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT on ESPN+ with the early card and continues at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on ESPN proper.
Main Event
All told, tonight’s card features 12 bouts. At the top of the bill tonight is a contest matching Clay Collard (25-12, 1 NC MMA, 1-0 2024 PFL, five points in the standings) and Mads Burnell (18-6 MMA, 0-1 2024 PFL, zero points in the standings.)
It’s a simple deal for Collard in this three-round fight at five minutes per round: If he wins tonight in the main event, method notwithstanding, he’ll be in the playoffs. Burnell needs to win by stoppage no later than round two.
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Co-Main Event
Immediately beforehand, the co-main event features former UFC fighter Impa Kasanganay (16-4 MMA, 1-0 2024 PFL, six points in the standings) against Jakob Nedoh (8-2 MMA, 0-1 2024 PFL, zero points in the standings). The light heavyweight playoff picture is packed heading into Friday night, with first through fifth place all having scored six points due to first-round stoppages in PFL 2. Whoever wins books a playoff spot.
Rest of the Card
Also on tonight’s main card, you’ll see a lightweight affair between Patricky Pitbull (Freire) (25-13 MMA, 0-1 2024 PFL, zero points in the standings) and Bruno Miranda (16-5 MMA, 0-1 2024 PFL, zero points in the standings) and a light heavyweight fixture matching Rob Wilkinson (18-2, 1 NC MMA, 1-0 2024 PFL, six points in the standings) with Josh Silveira (13-2 MMA, 1-0 2024 PFL, six points in the standings.)
2024 PFL 5 Results:
Main Card: (8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT, ESPN)
Main Event: Mads Burnell def. Clay Collard by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). Collard clinches playoff spot with fight advancing beyond second round, Burnell eliminated from playoff contention.
Co-Main Event: Impa Kasanganay def Jakob Nedoh by TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage) at 5;00 into Round 2. Nedoh eliminated with fight advancing beyond round one, while Kasanganay clinches playoff berth with fight advancing beyond round one. Josh Silveira clinches playoff berth with 3:28 having lapsed off of the first-round clock.
Patricky Pitbull def. Bruno Miranda by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) Michael Dufort clinches playoff berth as fight advances beyond second round. Miranda and Pitbull eliminated from playoff contention.
Rob Wilkinson def. Josh Silveira by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Wilkinson clinches playoff berth.
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Simon Biyong by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). Biyong eliminated from playoff contention as fight advances beyond first round, while Yagshimuradov clinches playoff berth.
Alex Polizzi def. Antonio Carlos Junior by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28.) Polizzi eliminated from playoff contention with fight advancing to second round.
Prelims: (5 pm ET/ 2 pm PT, ESPN+)
Featured Prelim: Brent Primus def. Solomon Renfro by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) at 3:21 into Round 3. Primus clinches playoff berth. Renfro eliminated from playoff contention after being deducted one point in the standings (weight miss). Gadzhi Rabadanov clinches playoff berth with result.
Co-Featured Prelim: Sadibou Sy def. Andrew Sanchez by Standing TKO (Punches) at 4:00 into Round 3. Both men eliminated from playoff contention after fight goes beyond 3:29 mark in Round 1.
Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Elvin Espinoza by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27.) Elvin Espinoza eliminated from playoff contention.
Adam Piccolotti def. Michael Dufort by Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Piccolotti eliminated from playoff contention as fight ends in decision.
Sergio Cossio def. Anthony Romero by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Lightweight Showcase Bout
Brahyan Zurcher def. Julian Ruiz by KO (Left Hook) at 1:26 into Round 2. Featherweight Showcase Bout
Playoff Brackets: Aug. 15
Lightweights: No. 1 seed Brent Primus vs. No. 4 seed Clay Collard
No. 2 seed Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. No. 3 seed Michael Dufort
Light Heavyweights: No. 1 seed Impa Kasanganay vs. No. 4 seed Josh Silveira
No. 2 seed Rob Wilkinson vs. No. 3 seed Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
