Last year’s PFL light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay moved one step closer to repeating the feat and capturing the 2024 title as he punched his ticket to the PFL Championships with victory in the PFL Playoffs in Hollywood, Florida.
On Friday night , Kasanganay defeated familiar foe Josh Silveira over three rounds to earn his spot in the light heavyweight finale.
Kasanganay defeated Silveira in last year’s light heavyweight final, and in the rematch, he claimed a unanimous decision victory, with scores of 29-28, 29-28, 30-27 to push him into the final, where he stands one win away from becoming a back-to-back PFL light heavyweight champion, and his second million-dollar cheque.
He’ll face Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, who claimed a shutout decision victory over 2022 champion Rob Wilkinson, with scores of 30-27 across the board.
The lightweight finalists were also decided at the Hard Rock Live, with Gadzhi Rabadanov and Brent Primus booking their spots in the 155-pound finale.
Primus dominated Clay Collard over three rounds to claim a shutout win on the scorecards, with scores of 30-27, 30-27, 30-26, but Rabadanov didn’t need the judges’ assistance. He knocked out Michael Duford mid-way through the second round of their semi-final matchup to book his place in the final against former Bellator champ Primus.
The main card was opened up by Biaggio Ali Walsh’s second professional bout, and he delivered another eye-catching performance to knock out Brian Stapleton in just 55 seconds to add another impressive finish to his resume.
PFL 8: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Impa Kasanganay def. Josh Silveira via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
- Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Rob Wilkinson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Michael Dufort via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 1:51
- Brent Primus def. Clay Collard via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Brian Stapleton via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:55
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Danny Sabatello vs. Lazaro Dayron ruled a majority draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)
- Mads Burnell def. Elvin Espinoza via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Thad Jean def. Chris Brown via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jordan Oliver def. Braydon Akeo via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Michelle Montague def. Marilia Morais via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:44
