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| (Image Source: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative mixed martial arts league, has officially announced the card for its upcoming PFL World Championship 2021 on October 28 (Thursday), Philippine time, headlined by the return of two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields and a highly-anticipated main event featuring the 2019 PFL Women's Lightweight World Champion Kayla Harrison. Fighters across six different weight classes look to etch their name in PFL history as world champions and capture the coveted US$1M grand prize at the PFL SmartCage inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, USA.
Shields returns to the PFL SmartCage following her thrillingly successful MMA debut at PFL 4 (2021) where she rallied from behind and secured an impressive Round 3 TKO victory over Brittany Elkin. The two-sport combat athlete looks to continue her winning ways and is set to face Abigail Montes at the PFL World Championship. On the other hand, Harrison looks to continue her undefeated MMA run when she returns to the SmartCage to take on Taylor Guardado. Further action will see an appealing co-main bout featuring 2019 PFL Welterweight World Champion Ray Cooper III and 2018 PFL Welterweight World Champion Magomed Magomedkerimov which will be a rematch from their previous encounter in 2018 where Magomedkerimov was victorious via second round submission.
Continued action turns to the Heavyweight division, where a highly intriguing clash between Bruno Cappelozza and Ante Delija will take place. In the Featherweight division, Movlid Khaybulaev - who holds the fastest knockout in PFL history - will match up with Chris Wade who is making his first trip to the PFL World Championship after exiting the PFL Semifinals twice in 2018 and 2019. The Light Heavyweight division will feature Brazilian Antonio Carlos Jr. and Norwegian Marthin Hamlet. Carlos Jr. was victorious in the PFL Semifinals last August knocking off former Light Heavyweight World Champion Emiliano Sordi while Hamlet advanced in the PFL Semifinals after Cezar Ferreira suffered an injury from his first kick, resulting in the fastest finish in the history of PFL's Light Heavyweight division. The World Championship action starts in the Lightweight division with 2019 PFL lightweight runner-up Loik Radzhabov squaring off against Raush Manfio who holds a record of 3-0 in his PFL debut season.
“The PFL World Championship on Wednesday, October 27 will showcase the determination and resilience our world class fighters have showcased throughout the season in their quest to become a PFL World Champion. After what’s already been an incredibly successful season, I cannot wait to crown this year’s six champions," said PFL MMA Chief Executive Officer Peter Murray. Catch the 2021 PFL World Championship on October 28, Thursday, live and exclusive on TAP Sports on SKYcable, Cignal, Satlite and GSAT and on the TAP GO app for Android and iOS devices.
