Last night, The Professional Fighters League (PFL) took over the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island, New York with the action-packed PFL 5.
This card featured bouts in the lightweight in light heavyweight divisions, as talented fighters battled to cement their places in the PFL post-season, and edge closer to each division’s million-dollar prize.
As has become the norm for PFL cards, PFL 5 was littered with wild finishes. Highlights this time around came courtesy of surging Brazilian star Natan Schulte, who lulled Jason High to sleep in the first round in the main event, UFC veteran Vinny Magalhaes, who tapped former Bellator champion Brandon Halsey in the co-main event, and UFC veteran Chris Wade, who tapped Japan’s Yuki Kawana in the first. The card also featured big wins from former Bellator champion Will Brooks, rising Russian Maxim Grishin, and UFC veteran Thiago Tavares.
Here are the full PFL 5 results, along with some of the card’s highlights.
Natan Schulte def. Jason High by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:18 R1
Choked out in the first round! @NatanSchulte scores the first round submission win, earning 6 points and a spot in the PFL Lightweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/rAhyOfjA7n
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Vinny Magalhaes def. Brandon Halsey by TKO (strikes) at 1:34 R1
Another first round finish for @VinnyMMA! He locks up the top seed in the PFL Light Heavyweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/gR0vaeipWH
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Will Brooks def. Robert Watley by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 30-27)
The takedowns of @ILLxWillBrooks make the difference. He scores the decision win, next stop the PFL Lightweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/RguyhbJjDr
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Maxim Grishim def. Rakim Cleveland by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:03 R2
Rear naked choke and it’s over! Maxim Grishin submits Rakim Cleveland in the second round, earning 5 points and securing his spot in the PFL Light Heavyweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/yTqXeoGP2H
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Rashid Magomedov def. Luiz Firmino by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27 and 29-28)
They go the distance and @rashidgorets gets the win! He earns 3 points and clinches a PFL Lightweight Playoffs spot. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/RoTMySzfuJ
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Chris Wade def. Yuki Kawana by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:24 R1
Home sweet home! @CWadeMMA secures the first round submission win, earning 6 points and a spot in the PFL Lightweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/6lyu3YCc7B
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Dan Spohn def. Artur Alibulatov by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27 and 29-27)*
The early pressure gets it done for @dragonspohn! He earns 3 points and is heading to the PFL Light Heavyweight Playoffs. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/AmmPD9Xmos
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 3, 2018
Thiago Tavares def. Arthur Estrazulas by split-decision (29-28, 28-29 and 29-28)
The takedowns get it done. @TavaresMMA scores the split decision win, earning 3 points. #PFL5 #PFLmma pic.twitter.com/4KYO7wmttF
— PFL MMA (@ProFightLeague) August 2, 2018
*The fight went to the score cards after the cageside physician stopped the bout after an illegal groin strike. It was the second low blow and one point was deducted before the cards were tallied.
Here are the official lightweight and light heavyweight standings after PFL 5. Several fighters were not able to compete on this card due to medical suspensions. These fighters will battle for playoff spots at PFL 7.
Here are the PFL light heavyweight and lightweight standings after this card.
PFL Standings
This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 8/3/2018.