Preview: PFL 7, 2022 Playoffs

Light Heavyweights

Rob Wilkinson (15-2, 2-0 PFL) vs. Delan Monte (9-2, 1-1 UFC)

ODDS: Wilkinson (-300), Monte (+220)

Wilkinson has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with the PFL in 2022, earning technical knockout victories over Viktor Pesta and Bruce Souto in two regular-season outings. Those performances are typical for Wilkinson, who has overwhelmed regional-level opposition to the tune of 14 finishes among 15 professional victories. His only two losses came in the UFC, against noted strikers Israel Adesanya and Siyar Bahadurzada. Monte did not show much in a 29-second submission loss to defending champ Antonio Carlos Jr. in his debut, but he bounced back in a major way, outbrawling 2019 light heavyweight champ Emiliano Sordi on his way to a first-round technical knockout victory.

Wilkinson has proven to be hittable in past fights, but his durability and toughness has carried him through more than a few precarious situations, and he also has the ability to revert to his wrestling if the standup is not to his liking. The Hybrid Training Centre representative has a quick jab and is adept at putting combinations together when given space, but he is also dangerous at close range, with weapons that include a powerful uppercut and clinch knees. Monte has also proven himself to be a finisher against less notable opposition other than Sordi, but his willingness to brawl can lead to him getting sloppy in wild exchanges. That could be a problem against Wilkinson, who can rely on a six-inch reach advantage or change levels for takedowns, where he is heavy on top and can land powerful ground-and-pound. There is always the chance Monte clips Wilkinson early and tees off as he did against Sordi, but “Razor Rob” has more tools to win. Wilkinson continues his momentum and gets another finish.

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Ray vs. Pettis
Silveira vs. Akhmedov
Aubin-Mercier vs. Martinez
Wilkinson vs. Monte
The Prelims
Qualifiers