PFL 9 2022 Playoffs Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Bantamweight Swing Bout:
Zebenzui Ruiz (136) vs. Raphael Uchegbu (135)

Round 1

Bantamweights Ruiz and Uchegbu face off to open up the evening, with Britain’s own Marc Goddard set to officiate. Ruiz is in southpaw stance; Uchegbu orthodox. Ruiz comes forward with a couple of outside leg kicks. Ruiz lands a straight left. Ruiz grabs a single-leg, goes high-crotch and dumps Uchegbu to the canvas. Ruiz lands a couple of short punches, then takes the taller man’s back as he tries to stand. Ruiz sinks both hooks, then locks up a body triangle from back mount. Half the round gone, and Ruiz is in total control, throwing right hands to the head as Goddard tells Uchegbu to do something. Uchegbu escapes the body triangle, but Ruiz still on top, near the base of the fence. Uchegbu manages to stand, but Ruiz is still holding him to the fence. A minute left, Uchegbu spins Ruiz around and takes him down with a double-leg, but the Spaniard pops right back up. Uchegbu is bent at Ruiz’s waist, while Ruiz holds onto a front headlock. Ruiz trips Uchegbu to the canvas again. The bell sounds. 10-8 Ruiz.

Round 2

Uchegbu is the aggressor to open Round 2, coming forward with a long jab and right cross. Uchegbu grabs a high single-leg, and Ruiz counters with another front choke. Uchegbu gives up on the attempt, but tries again seconds later. Uchegbu changes to a double-leg, then back to a single. At the midpoint of the round, the stalemate continues at the fence, but Uchegbu finally pulls Ruiz’s hips away from the cage and deposits him on the ground. Ruiz uses an interesting arm grip to sweep to top position. Uchegbu tries an elevator sweep, but Ruiz takes the chance to pass to half guard. Ruiz is working for mount, but Uchegbu’s long legs have so far thwarted him. Ruiz lands a couple of short rights to the head before the bell. 10-9 Ruiz.

Round 3

Uchegbu comes forward with a flying knee, then shoots for an immediate takedown. They go down, but Ruiz hits an outside switch to take top position, and they return to their feet seconds later. Uchegbu continues working for a takedown against the fence, but Ruiz reverses him and shoves him into the cage with an underhook. Two minutes in, the two are still tied up at the fence. Uchegbu reverses Ruiz and lands a pair of punches and a head kick that hurt him. Uchegbu drops for a takedown and gets it, grounding him at the base of the fence. Uchegbu is above the seated Ruiz, but Ruiz stands back up, giving up his back as he does. Sixty seconds left, and Uchegbu pulls Ruiz back to the ground, sinking one hook as he does so. Ruiz goes for a leg attack, but Uchegbu extracts his leg easily and they stand back up. Uchegbu is holding onto a single-leg at the 10-second clapper, and the fight ends that way. 10-9 Uchegbu (29-27 Ruiz).

The Official Result

Zebenzui Ruiz def. Raphael Uchegbu via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

Lightweight Showcase Bout:
Omar Hussein Abufarah (156) vs. Aleksandrs Chizov (155)

Round 1

Chizov and Hussein set up in orthodox and southpaw, respectively, with Rich Mitchell drawing the referee assignment. Chizov lands the first hard strike of the fight, a long straight right. Chizov throws a head kick that comes up short. Chizov with heavy forward pressure as the taller Hussein circles the outside of the cage. Hussein lands an inside low kick. Chizov lands a right hand that staggers Hussein, but as Chizov gives chase, Hussein changes levels for a takedown. Chizov rolls through and lands on top, in Hussein’s full guard. Hussein closes his guard, then opens up and tries for a triangle choke, but Chizov stands up. Chizov throws a knee to the body that clearly hurts Hussein. Chizov stalks forward as we pass the four-minute mark of Round 1. Chizov catches a kick and throws a punch that knocks the Palestinian down, off balance. Hussein shoots a double-leg and runs Chizov to the canvas. Hussein snares a tight guillotine choke and wraps up his guard, but the bell sounds seconds later. 10-9 Chizov.

Round 2

Chizov once again comes forward, walking Hussein down and throwing punches. Hussein tries for a takedown, Chizov sprawls, but Hussein gets him down on the re-shoot. Hussein lands in side control, exerting heavy pressure chest on chest. Hussein appears to be working for an arm-triangle choke setup. Chizov gives up his back, and Hussein sinks one hook. Hussein works for a rear-naked choke, gives it up to throw a couple of punches, then goes back to the choke, closing up a body triangle from back mount as he does so. Three minutes in, Chizov spins into Hussein’s guard, stands and throws a huge standing-to-ground punch. He dives back down and cinches up an arm-triangle choke of his own. Chizov gives up on the choke but moves to mount and starts raining down punches. Referee Mitchell yells at Hussein to defend himself. Hussein bucks, and Chizov takes his back and applies a rear-naked choke. Seconds later, Hussein taps. Impressive stuff from the young man from Latvia.

The Official Result

Alex Chizov def. Omar Hussein Abufarah R2 4:12 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Heavyweight Showcase Bout:
Stuart Austin (246) vs. Sofiane Boukichou (239)

Round 1

Austin and Boukichou square off and get to work under the direction of referee Gary Copeland. They exchange jabs out of matching orthodox stances, then Boukichou steps in and clinches. Judo specialist Austin obliges him by promptly tripping him to the canvas. Austin is in half guard, well out to the side of the Frenchman, looking to pin his far wrist. Austin moves to an outside leg ride on the kneeling Boukichou, then takes the back and sinks one hook. Boukichou works for a kimura from underneath. Under two minutes left, and Boukichou is still on bottom but has avoided taking any real damage. Boukichou turns and stands, and Austin pushes him into the fence. Austin grabs a body lock and tries to take Boukichou down, and Boukichou defends with a kimura, landing in mount. He throws a couple of punches to Austin’s head, then takes the back. He’s riding Austin like a rodeo bronco, throwing punches, when the bell sounds. 10-9 Boukichou.

Round 2

The heavyweights paw at one another with jabs early in Round 2. Boukichou comes forward and clinches, perhaps in search of a takedown, but gives up on it quickly. Boukichou grabs a snatch single, which Austin defends easily. Austin shoves Boukichou to the cage and holds him there with an underhook. Austin stomps the foot of the Frenchman, using head position to stand him straight up. They spin away from the fence and Boukichou shoots for a single-leg. Austin defends with a front headlock and they disengage. Austin comes in for a double-leg behind a one-two, then switches to a single. Boukichou defends with a kimura, but Austin drops him to his knees. Boukichou releases the arm and sits against the fence, denying Austin access to his back. Austin gets Boukichou on his side, in loose half guard. Boukichou secures another kimura grip, using it to stop Austin from moving to mount. Austin is on top, in Boukichou’s half guard, when the round ends. 10-9 Austin.

Round 3

Neither man throws any significant offense for the first 30 seconds, until Austin lands a solid jab. Austin drops for a double-leg against the fence, and Boukichou once again defends by attacking the Englishman's arm. Austin extricates his arm and completes the takedown, settling into Boukichou's guard at the base of the cage. Austin lands a couple of left hands to the head, then a right to the body. Austin traps the right wrist of Boukichou with his left hand and scoots him to the fence. Austin passes to half guard, while Boukichou hunts for a two-on-one. Boukichou goes to stand, but Austin threatens to take his back, so Boukichou goes to his knees with his back to the fence. He tries again, and this time Austin takes his back. Boukichou ties up Austin's hands, preventing any real ground-and-pound, but can't do much else. The 10-second clapper sounds as Austin gets in a couple of hard shots. The final bell sounds. 10-9 Austin (29-28 Austin).

The Official Result

Stuart Austin def. Sofiane Boukichou via Split Decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)

Light Heavyweight Showcase Bout:
Simeon Powell (205) vs. Joao Paulo Fagundes (204)

Round 1

It’s the UK vs. Brazil, as undefeated light heavyweight prospects Powell and Fagundes take the cage. Marc Goddard draws the first assignment of the PFL 9 main card. Both fighters are in orthodox stance, and it’s Powell who strikes first with a long jab. Powell lands an outside leg kick, then another. Fagundes is stalking, feinting, but hasn’t thrown much of consequence through the first minute. Fagundes lands a right cross, then throws a murderous left hook that misses. Powell lands another hard calf kick. Powell snaps back the head of Fagundes with a hard jab. Fagundes charges forward and clinches. Powell reverses him against the fence. Fagundes has double overhooks, then switches to an over-under. Ninetly seconds left in the round, they’re still against the fence, jockeying for position but not throwing much in the way of offense. They disengage and Fagundes resumes walking Powell down. Powell lands a high kick, but Fagundes wades in and hits Powell with a two-punch combo. Fagundes comes forward again, and Powell times him for an easy takedown. Powell is in Fagundes’ full guard, then stands up and dives in with a couple of hard punches at the bell. 10-9 Powell.

Round 2

They exchange a few glancing jabs and Powell lands a low kick, then Powell steps forward, clinches and trips Fagundes to the canvas. He can’t get much done there before Fagundes gets back up. Powell lands a hard kick to the outside of Fagundes’ lead left leg that has the Brazilian stumbling badly, then another that takes his leg out from under him. Powell stands back as Goddard motions Fagundes back up, and the left leg is clearly toast. Powell lands another calf kick and Fagundes goes back down. Fagundes does not appear to be trying to stand, and Goddard waves it off. Nasty work by the undefeated Brit, taking the wheels completely out from under Fagundes with only about six total kicks.

The Official Result

Simeon Powell def. Joao Paulo Fagundes R2 1:56 via TKO (Leg Kicks)

2023 PFL Europe Qualifiers:
Dakota Ditcheva (126) vs. Hassna Gaber (125)

Round 1

It is the harbinger of a new division for PFL’s upcoming 2023 season, as Gaber and undefeated striking phenom Ditcheva meet in the promotion’s first-ever women’s flyweight bout. Rich Mitchell will oversee the proceedings. Gaber lands an overhand right, Ditcheva a jab. Ditcheva drops Gaber to her seat with a push kick up the middle, and as Gaber stands back up, Ditcheva runs her to the fence. Ditcheva throws a couple of knees up the middle, one of which folds Gaber in half. The Moroccan waves a hand in surrender and sinks to the canvas, completely done. Mitchell steps in and the fight is over practically before it began. Dominant work by Dakota Ditcheva.

The Official Result

Dakota Ditcheva def. Hassna Gaber R1 0:58 via TKO (Submission to Knees to the Body)

2022 Featherweight Semifinal:
Ryoji Kudo (145) vs. Bubba Jenkins (146)

Round 1

The first of four semifinals scheduled for tonight features No. 2 seed Kudo and No. 3 Jenkins, with a spot in the men’s featherweight final on the line. Marc Goddard is your third man in the cage. Jenkins sets up in southpaw stance, Kudo in orthodox. Jenkins throws a kick, closing the distance as he does so, and clinches with Kudo. He wastes no time in taking a rear waistlock and hoisting Kudo into the air for a slam. Kudo pops back up and Jenkins makes it a round trip via air. Jenkins tries to take Kudo’s back and sink a hook, but Kudo stands. Jenkins grinds Kudo into the fence, then is reversed. Jenkins uses a whizzer kick to toss Kudo to the canvas, takes his back in a flash and locks up a rear-naked choke as Kudo stands. They come crashing back to the canvas and Kudo is tapping in seconds. Beautiful work in transition by Bubba Jenkins.

The Official Result

Bubba Jenkins def. Ryoji Kudo R1 1:49 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

2022 Women’s Lightweight Semifinal:
Larissa Pacheco (155) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (156)

Round 1

The first women’s lightweight semifinal pits 2019 runner-up and current top seed Pacheco, facing fourth-seeded Kolesnyk for a berth in the final and—if the odds are any indication—perhaps a third shot at upending Kayla Harrison. These two met 14 months ago, with Pacheco winning by first-round knockout. Rich Mitchell is the referee for the rematch. Kolesnyk is in southpaw stance, Pacheco orthodox. Kolesnyk is circling near the fence as Pacheco stalks her. In contrast to their wild first fight, both women are tentative so far. Pacheco lands a three-piece combination that has Kolesnyk backing off, but as the Brazilian gives chase, she runs right into a counter hook. Two minutes in, Pacheco walks Kolesnyk into the fence, where she crushes her with a left hook. Kolesnyk goes down and Pacheco lays on a stream of uppercuts until referee Mitchell interposes himself. Another first-round stoppage for Larissa Pacheco over Helena Kolesnyk.

The Official Result

Larissa Pacheco def. Helena Kolesnyk R1 2:09 via TKO (Punches)

2022 Featherweight Semifinal:
Chris Wade (145) vs. Brendan Loughnane (145)

Round 1

It’s a grudge match in the second featherweight semifinal, as top-seeded Wade and No. 4 Loughnane face off for bragging rights—and a date with Bubba Jenkins in the November final. Gary Copeland is on duty, charged with keeping things as clean as possible. Both men set up in orthodox stance, though Loughnane periodically switches to southpaw in the early going. Wade charges in and drives Loughnane to the fence, where he grinds the crown of his head into the Mancunian’s chin, as the two grapple there. Loughnane throws a shoulder shrug to the face. They break away from the fence and Wade goes upstairs with a head kick that stuns Loughnane. He runs in and grabs a scarf hold, then ends up hustling Loughnane to the floor. Wade is in Loughnane’s full guard, trying to posture up and drop punches, but Loughnane explodes back to his feet. Loughnane catches Wade coming in with a clean punch, then another. The crowd responds with volume, but Wade grabs a single-leg and runs him to the fence. Wade has the single, but Loughnane defends ably, and after a lengthy stalemate they reset in the center of the cage. Loughnane tags Wade with a couple of calf kicks and a right hand. Loughnane shoots a single-leg and drops Wade to his seat at the base of the fence. Wade defends with a front headlock, and pops back to his feet before the bell. 10-9 Wade.

Round 2

Loughnane zaps Wade with a left jab, then a step-in knee. Wade throws a head kick that goes completely over the head of the ducking Loughnane. Loughnane lands another calf kick, then another jab that brings blood from the nose of the American. Loughnane lands the jab again. Wade comes up short with a sweeping hook, and Loughnane hits him with a one-two. Wade steps in and clinches, but Loughnane shucks him off. Loughnane’s jab is absolutely glued to Wade’s face, and he’s throwing it from both stances. Loughnane goes upstairs with a glancing head kick which Wade catches, but Loughnane pulls his leg back before Wade can pursue a takedown. Ninety seconds left in the round and Wade catches an oncoming Loughnane with an uppercut. Loughnane lands another left jab, then yet another. Loughnane with a left calf kick. Wade throws a hook kick upstairs that lands with a slap, then eats one more jab before the bell. 10-9 Loughnane.

Round 3

Wade comes forward with a one-two, and Loughnane answers with a jab. Wade gets his left arm behind Loughnane’s head and gives him three quick hockey-style uppercuts. Loughnane lands a flush right cross that hurts Wade, then a left. Loughnane is back in rhythm, touching Wade with both hands almost at will. Wade throws a flying knee that comes up short. Wade feints a level change, then rushes forward, pushing Loughnane to the cage. Loughnane circles out right away and they return to the center of the cage. Loughnane stings Wade with another jab, then a body kick. Wade shoves him to the fence, but Loughnane again frees himself and gets back to the middle of the cage. Under a minute left and Wade shoves Loughnane to the cage once again, where Loughnane reverses him. Wade has an overhook and looks to throw some knees, but Loughnane is punching him with the left as time expires. 10-9 Loughnane (29-28 Loughnane).

The Official Result

Brendan Loughnane def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), setting up a Jenkins vs. Loughnane featherweight final.

2022 Women’s Lightweight Semifinal:
Kayla Harrison (155) vs. Martina Jindrova (154)

Round 1

The last semifinal of PFL 9, and of the 2022 season, features two-time defending lightweight champ Harrison against Jindrova, the latest prohibitive underdog to attempt to upend the American judoka. On the far side of this matchup is a slot in the final opposite Pacheco, who thrashed Helena Kolesnyk earlier tonight. Marc Goddard is the referee. Jindrova is bouncing on the balls of her feet, scooting laterally around the outside of the cage as Harrison stalks from the center. Jindrova catches Harrison coming in with a left hand. Harrison catches a kick and tosses Jindrova to the ground, landing in side control, working to pin Jindrova’s near arm. Harrison moves to north-south, then moves to side control on the other side, high on Jindrova’s chest. Harrison steps into mount and drops a couple of punches and forearm strikes while Jindrova bucks underneath her. Halfway through the round, Jindrova has avoided much damage, but Harrison is in total control. Harrison postures up for a couple more punches, then secures an arm-triangle choke. Rather than jump out to the side, Harrison stays in mount, torques it, and elicits the tap. Complete domination from Kayla Harrison, and we have another Harrison vs. Pacheco final.

The Official Result

Kayla Harrison def. Martina Jindrova R1 3:17 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)

2023 PFL Europe Qualifiers:
Ali Taleb (135) vs. Darius Mafi (134)

Round 1

The undefeated bantamweight hopefuls face off with Gary Copeland overseeing things, and immediately set up in matching orthodox stances. Mafi throws a push kick up the middle, but misses short. Taleb feints stance switches, and catches the incoming Mafi with a left hook. Mafi shoves Taleb into the fence, where Taleb reverses him. Taleb grabs a guillotine, falls to guard and then rolls to mount. Copeland checks on Mafi, who seems to be resisting, but a few seconds later Mafi begins flailing and Copeland pulls Taleb off. Copeland’s decision is promptly vindicated when the oxygen-deprived Mafi shoots a double-leg on him. Quick submission win for Ali Taleb.

The Official Result

Ali Taleb def. Darius Mafi R1 1:58 via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke)

2023 PFL Europe Qualifier:
Tayo Odunjo (169) vs. Magnus Onyeka Iversen (168)

Round 1

England’s Odunjo and Norway’s Iversen meet in a welterweight qualifier, with Rich Mitchell in charge of keeping the violence clean. Both men are southpaws, and the first strike thrown with intent is a big right hand by Iversen which misses short. Odunjo is giving ground, circling out as Iversen bounces forward. Iversen bounces into range and takes Odunjo down with an inside trip despite a fence grab by Odunjo. Iversen is on top, in Odunjo’s half guard, looking to pass to side control. Iversen throws some short right hands to the head of Odunjo, then steps to mount. Odunjo regains half guard, and Iverson is heavy on top, chest to chest. Iversen postures up, and Odunjo sticks him back in full guard. Odunjo throws punches from the bottom, then puts his legs up for a triangle. Iversen pulls back out of danger, and Odunjo stands. Iversen wades forward with punches and is met by an Odunjo counter. Iversen catches Odunjo with his hands down and levels him with a brutal right hook. Odunjo collapses in place and Mitchell is already rushing in for the stoppage as Iversen crushes Odunjo with a pinpoint hammerfist on the ground. Impressive first-round knockout by Magnus Iversen.

The Official Result

Magnus Onyeka Iversen def. Tayo Odunjo R1 4:36 via TKO (Punches)

2023 PFL Europe Qualifier:
Louie Sutherland (243) vs. Abraham Bably (237)

Round 1

Sutherland and Bably meet in a matchup of undefeated, if green, UK heavyweight prospects. Gary Copeland is the man in charge as they commence to kickboxing, with Sutherland in orthodox stance and Bably mirroring him in southpaw. Bably lands an outside kick to Sutherland’s lead left leg, then another. Another leg kick has Sutherland charging in for a takedown. Bably defends ably, then uses a knee tap to secure a takedown of his own. Bably takes Sutherland’s back, but Sutherland manages to get back to his feet. Bably is on Sutherland’s back as both men stand by the cage. Sutherland tries to sit and turn toward Bably, but Bably ends up standing over him. Sutherland stands and tries an inside switch in space, but Bably is still stuck to his back. Sutherland stands and grabs a front headlock. They disengage, and Sutherland catches Bably with a pair of punches. Bably uses an underhook and trip to drive Sutherland to his knees, then hops on Sutherland’s back and sinks both hooks. He’s too high on the back, and Sutherland tripods and shakes him off. They stand once again and Bably is pushing Sutherland into the fence when the bell sounds. 10-9 Bably.

Round 2

Bably lands an outside leg kick. Neither man throws anything else of consequence in the first minute of the fight, until Bably throws a long left cross. Bably with another low kick, and Sutherland’s right-hand counter falls short. Sutherland lands a left body kick. Bably shoots a double-leg and dumps Sutherland on the canvas near the base of the fence. Sutherland gets up to his hands and knees, where Bably works to take his back. Bably throws a couple of punches from the back before Sutherland stands and disengages. With under two minutes left, the action has slowed considerably. Sutherland explodes forward with a pair of glancing punches. Next to nothing of consequence happens in the last minute of the round. 10-9 Bably.

Round 3

The final round begins with a glove touch, which ends up being the hardest contact either man makes in the first 30 seconds or so. Sutherland is stalking forward, and Bably is willing to give ground and circle away. Sutherland lands a low kick and Bably answers with a punch upstairs. Bably throws a karate-style side kick to the midsection. Sutherland rushes forward with a pair of hooks and Bably drops levels, shoving the bigger man to the fence. Sutherland has an overhook as Bably works at his waist. They separate and reset, and Sutherland comes forward throwing punches once again, only to be met once again by a level change. This time it’s a single leg that Bably uses to push Sutherland into the cage. Bably spins to Sutherland’s back and drags him to the mat with 90 seconds left. Sutherland stands, and Bably is on his back. Sutherland goes back to once knee with Bably throwing punches from behind. Sutherland sits out again, but that simply allows Bably to stay on top. The round ends with Sutherland kneeling, Bably on his back, and even the PFL commentators are calling this one “a slog.” 10-9 Bably (30-27 Bably).

The Official Result

Abraham Bably def. Louie Sutherland via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Lightweight Showcase Bout:
Marcin Held (155) vs. Myles Price (155)

Round 1

The final bout of PFL 9 is a lightweight matchup between Held, a veteran of Bellator MMA and the Ultimate Fighting Championship who is still somehow only 30 years old, and Ireland’s Price. Marc Goddard draws the referee assignment for this closer. Held is in orthodox stance, Price southpaw, and they exchange tentative feints and jabs for nearly a minute before Held catches Price off-balance with a right hand that knocks him over. Held is immediately all over him, and the ensuing scramble ends with Held on top in Price’s guard. Price gets up, and Held grabs a guillotine choke which he quickly abandons. Halfway through the round, Price is switching stances, throwing a flying knee mid-switch, which Held avoids and counters with a jab. Held drops for a takedown against the fence, switching from a double-leg to a body lock, but Price stands him up. Held persists, dropping back down to the Irishman’s hips, but Price shucks him off and retakes the center of the cage. Price meets the incoming Held with a knee, but Held pushes him to the fence once again, where the round ends. 10-9 Held.

Round 2

Held is the first to land in Round 2, with a nice overhand right. Held then changes levels for a takedown, which Price meets with a guillotine choke, wisely letting it go when Held moves to side control. Held stays in side control with a reverse half nelson on the near side. Held goes for a guillotine and tries to roll into mount, but Price pulls his head out. Held once again in side control, and Price escapes. Held ensnares him in a lightning-fast, arm-in guillotine, and Price taps almost instantly. A very slick submission by the Polish grappling specialist.

The Official Result

Marcin Held def. Myles Price R2 2:37 via Submission (Guillotine Choke)