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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – April 19, 2024 – The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, returned with its third Global Season event of 2024 featuring fighters in the Welterweight and Featherweight divisions at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The twelve-fight card, the final of the first half of the 2024 PFL Global Season, delivered non-stop excitement to MMA fans in attendance and watching around the world.
The pride of Manchester, Brendan Loughnane, stepped into the PFL SmartCage on a mission. The 2022 PFL Featherweight Champion secured a 1st round TKO victory over Pedro Carvalho. The victory gives Loughnane six points in the Featherweight standings and 15th knockout of his career, and is now one step closer to a return to the PFL Playoffs.
The evening’s main event featured a strategic battle between Andrey Koreshkov and Magomed Umalatov in a highly anticipated Welterweight bout. Both combatants showed their technical prowess, with Umalatov pulling away and securing a unanimous decision keeping his perfect record intact.
Logan Storley matched up with Shamil Musaev for Welterweight action. Musaev put on an impressive display and dispatched Storley in the 2nd round via KO. The result improved Musaev’s record to 17-0-1 with 10 wins by KO, and earned five points in the division.
2023 PFL Featherweight Runner-Up Gabrial Braga unleashed a flurry of strikes against Justin Gonzalez resulting in an emotional 1st round knockout and six points. Braga dedicated the victory to his father, Diego, whom he lost in January.
“Tonight was a fitting end to the first half of the 2024 PFL Global Season, the toughest test in MMA, with the best Welterweights and Featherweights providing unrivaled action to fans worldwide,” said PFL CEO Petery Murray. “As we head into the second half of the 2024 PFL Global Season, fighters and fans alike know what it will take to clinch a PFL Playoff berth and continue the million dollar journey. It is time to win or go home.”
“The PFL athletes provided another spectacular night of fights as we wrap up the first half of the 2024 PFL Global Season,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations at PFL. “The PFL’s season format provides the best action and highest stakes in all MMA.”
Goiti Yamauchi and Neiman Gracie went toe-to-toe for three rounds in Welterweight action. Yamauchi earned a hard fought unanimous decision, improving his career record to 29-6, and earned three points in the standings.
Kai Kamaka and Bubba Jenkins showcased skill and determination in the Featherweight division. Kamaka topped Jenkins via unanimous decision victory and earned three points, running his win streak to four.
Adam Borics and Enrique Barzola duked it out in Featherweight division action with the bout going the three round distance. The judges awarded Borics the unanimous decision and three points in the PFL Global Season standings.
In PFL Global Season Featherweight action, Timur Khizriev and Brett Johns stepped into the PFL SmartCage. Both men traded blows for three rounds, but it was Khizriev who earned the unanimous decision and three points in the division.
Welterweight action continued with Laureano Staropoli facing Murad Ramazanov. After a brief back-and-forth exchange, Ramazanov submitted Staropoli with a rear naked choke in the 1st round and was awarded six points.
The first PFL Global Season Welterweight bout featured Don Madge and Brennan Ward. Madge used his exceptional wrestling technique to secure the win by submitting Ward in the 1st round and earned six points.
In a PFL Featherweight alternate bout, Tyler Diamond collided with Otto Rodrigues. Both men left it all in the PFL SmartCage but ultimately, Diamond came away victorious via unanimous decision.
Kicking off the night was a PFL Welterweight showcase bout between Romain Debienne and Thad Jean. Jean ended the fight quickly, knocking out Debienne at 2:07 in the 1st round.
All 2024 PFL Global Season events are live across ESPN platforms in the U.S. and DAZN in Canada and Europe with additional international premium sports platform distribution reaching 150 countries globally.
COMPLETE RESULTS
PFL Chicago Main Card Results:
Magomed Umalatov (15-0) def. Andrey Koreshkov (27-5) Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Brendan Loughnane (27-5) def. Pedro Carvalho (13-8) 1st Round TKO (1:26)
Shamil Musaev (16-0-1) def. Logan Storley (15-2) 2nd Round KO (0:27)
Gabriel Braga (13-1) def. Justin Gonzales (14-4) 1st Round KO (4:59)
Goiti Yamauchi (29-6) def. Neiman Gracie (12-5) Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kai Kamaka (13-5-1) def. Bubba Jenkins (21-8) Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Early Card Results:
Adam Borics (18-2) def. Enrique Barzola (20-7-2) Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28 x3)
Timur Khizriev (15-0) def. Brett Johns (20-4) Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Murad Ramazanov (12-0, 1 NC) def. Laureano Staropoli (13-6) 1st Round Submission
Don Madge (11-4-1) def. Brennan Ward (17-8) 1st Round Submission
Tyler Diamond (13-3) def. Otto Rodrigues (14-2) Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Thad Jean (7-0) def. Romain Debienne (10-5) 1st round KO (2:07) |
