It’s ‘win or go home’ time as the PFL Playoffs get underway

After the regular season portion of the PFL’s 2021 campaign, it’s now time for the final four fighters in each weight class to go into the semi-final playoff stages as they bid to punch their ticket to their respective weight division’s $1million championship final.

The first playoff event takes place this Friday night, August 13, as the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida plays host to the welterweight and lightweight playoffs.

Headlining card is a mouthwatering semi-final clash between former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald and 2019 PFL welterweight champion Ray Cooper III, while the night’s co-main event features the second 170-pound semi-final, as Russia’s 2018 PFL champion Magomed Magomedkerimov takes on Sweden’s Sadibou Sy, who steps in to replace No. 1 seed Joao Zeferino, who was ruled out of the playoffs through injury.

Victory for Magomedkerimov and Cooper would set up a huge rematch between former champions, with the Russian contender defeating Cooper in the 2018 finale. Injury prevented them from facing off in 2019, but if they can both get through their respective semi-finals, the two PFL rivals will meet again with both men bidding to become a two-time PFL welterweight champion.

The two lightweight finalists will also be decided, with the 155-pound division set to crown a new champion after Brazil’s two-time PFL champion Natan Schulte narrowly failed to make it to the playoff stage.

No. 1 seed Loik Radzhabov (14-3-1) takes on 8-1 Alex Martinez in the first lightweight semi-final of the night, with the second semi seeing America’s “Cassius” Clay Collard take on Brazil’s Raush Manfio.

Thursday, August 19 will see the women’s lightweight and men’s heavyweight divisions take centre stage, while Friday August 27 will complete the finals lineup with the featherweight and light heavyweight playoffs setting the finals at 145 and 205 pounds respectively.