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PFL New York: What the Fighters are Saying
Andrew Benjamin attended PFL New York media day Wednesday and got some quotes from some fighters competing on the card.
The last time PFL came to New York state was back in 2023. After almost three years, the promotion is making its big return to the UBS Arena in Long Island on Friday. Some fighters on the PFL New York card took time out on Wednesday to field questions from the media. Here are some highlighted quotes from their statements.
PFL New York: Denise Kielholtz
"I really like strikers in MMA... she never faced an opponent like me before... That will be the biggest difference from her other fights... The thing we both have is the fight IQ. I will not say my striking is better, but different... I'm going to give everything this Friday in the cage"
PFL New York: Archie Colgan
"Yesterday when I looked in the eyes, I could tell he wasn't looking past me... At the end of the day, I have to fight another man... I tried my best not to make it any bigger than that... I'm not making this fight anymore hype than I need to. What I have to do is believe in my conviction of myself... I believe I'm going to win. He's proved to himself that he is one of the best lightweights in the world."
PFL New York: Dakota Ditcheva
I know Denise is going to bring more aggression than anyone I've fought before. We're both very high level strikers. even when i was injured I was in the gym. Maybe my youth will help. We'll see. I treat every fight the same. I focus on myself and what I bring to the table. I still feel like I'm young in this game. Still a lot to learn.
PFL New York: Usman Nurmagomedov
"This camp, in my opinion, I grow a lot... Working a lot of my wrestling skills... My opinion the Nurmagomedov name already the greatest name in combat sports... It's going to be good matchup. I know after second round he will tire."
The show will air the prelims on the ESPN app, 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT and the main card at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The card as of this printing is:
Usman Nurmagomedov (c) vs. Archie Colgan for the PFL lightweight title
Dakota Ditcheva vs. Denise Kielholtz
Amru Magomedov vs. Angel Alvarez
Raufeon Stots vs. Lazaro Dayron
Jonathan Piersma vs. Omar El Dafrawy
Sean Gauci vs. Allan Begosso
Jamelle Jones vs. Khabib Nabiev
Montana De La Rosa vs. Tatiana Postarnakova
Chamy Delva vs. Levan Khabalaev
