After acquiring Bellator earlier this week the PFL is back with their biggest fight card of the year. Six world titles will be on the line at this year’s PFL World Championship with weight class tournaments coming to an end for this season. In the Main Event, “The Canadian Gangster” Olivier Aubin-Mercier faces all-action boxer Clay Collard. Mercier was last year’s Lightweight tournament winner and has not lost since leaving the UFC in 2019. Collard was just involved in the potential Fight of the Year with Shane Burgos in the semifinals and is quickly becoming a fan favorite inside the PFL. All PFL tournament championship fights have a reward of one million dollars.
Also on the PFL World Championship main card, five other weight classes will crown title holders. On the prelims, former PFL champion Ray Cooper faces UFC veteran Derek Brunson.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier (20-5) vs Clay Collard (24-10)
The Main Event of the PFL World Championship card showcases a Lightweight bout between tough veteran competitors. Olivier Aubin-Mercier has not lost since leaving the UFC and is one of the most well-rounded fighters on the PFL roster. Last season Mercier was able to knock out Stevie Ray in the final of the PFL playoffs to win the million-dollar prize.
This season Mercier is undefeated again and fought his way back into the playoff finale. Clay Collard is currently on the best streak of his career having defeated Shane Burgos and Stevie Ray in back-to-back fights. Collard is predominantly a boxer, before joining the PFL Collard was a professional boxer who was frequently featured on ESPN Friday Night Fights.
Collard will have an advantage standing while Mercier will look to take this fight to the ground. Currently, Collard is a betting underdog (+250) at online sportsbooks. Both fighters had previous stints inside the UFC before joining the PFL and will be fighting with one million dollars on the line.
Prediction: Olivier Aubin-Mercier by Decision
Magomed Magomedkerimov (34-6) vs Sadibou Sy (16-6)
In the Co-Main Event Welterweights Magomed Magomedkerimov and Sadibou Sy rematch after their semifinal matchup in 2021. Magomedkerimov lost to Ray Cooper in the finals that year but has since won five straight. Sy was last year’s tournament winner and is looking to win the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
Sy is a former professional kickboxer with outstanding striking skills. The creativity and elusiveness of Sy will give him an upper hand in this contest when both fighters are standing. Magomedkerimov is well-rounded but will want to be cautious when exchanging on the feet with Sy.
In their first matchup, Sy was able to land leg kicks and straight punches at a distance but was controlled on the ground at times by Russia’s Magomedokerimov. Sy has grown tremendously as a fighter since these two’s first matchup. Training at Extreme Couture with UFC champion Sean Strickland, Sy has one of the best teams in the world behind him. Sy will be the taller fighter and also enjoy a seven-inch reach advantage. Entering this contest Sy is a slight underdog at online sportsbooks (+155)
Prediction: Sadibou Sy by Knockout
Ray Cooper (25-8) vs Derek Brunson (23-9)
The most anticipated matchup of the night may not even be for a PFL World Title. Hawaii’s Ray Cooper returns to the Middleweight division to take on new UFC arrival Derek Brunson. Cooper won the PFL Welterweight tournament in 2021 but has since moved up in weight.
Brunson was stopped by top five ranked UFC contenders Jared Cannonier and Dricus Du Plessis in his last two fights before leaving the UFC. In his illustrious UFC career, Brunson held wins over Darren Till, Kevin Holland, and Lyoto Machida. Cooper has devastating punching power but will need to defend the takedown in this matchup.
This is a classic striker vs grappler matchup that should be a highly entertaining way to start the Main Card. Cooper has had mixed results since winning the PFL tournament and missed weight this week by 0.8 pounds. Entering this matchup online sportsbooks have this fight at even money. Cooper could finish this fight on the feet but his weight miss even moving up a division is very alarming.
Prediction: Derek Brunson by Decision
Rest of PFL World Championship Card:
Jesus Pinedo (22-6-1) vs Gabriel Braga (12-0) – Featherweight Championship
Josh Silveira (12-1) vs Impa Kasanganya (14-3) – Light Heavyweight Championship
Denis Goltsov (32-7) vs Renan Ferreira (11-4) – Heavyweight Championship
Larissa Pacheco (22-4) vs Marina Mokhnatkia (11-3) – Women’s Featherweight Championship
Kayla Harrison (15-1) vs Aspen Ladd (11-4)
The PFL World Championship can be seen exclusively on ESPN+. The prelims begin at 4:30 CST with the Main Card starting at 7:30 CST.
Click here for more Combat Sports coverage.
Subscribe to Fantom’s YouTube!
Follow us on Newsbreak!!!
Follow us on Twitter!!