The PFL vs. Bellator event was a huge show, and much of the action delivered. Despite the injury-induced restructuring of the card, we saw several statement-making performances in Riyadh.
Here are the biggest takeaways from PFL Vs. Bellator 2024.
Bellator Roster Was a Huge Addition to The PFL Umbrella
Bellator fighters dominated the evening.
Were it not for PFL’s acquisition of the brand and its roster, this would indict the overall strength of the men and women who call the SmartCage home.
As it is, the results of Saturday’s event make the purchase of Bellator look more like a smart business move that instantly increases the value of the PFL and connected products.
Abdullah Al-Qahtani is One of the Most Important Members of the PFL Roster
Al-Qahtani has quickly established himself as perhaps the world’s most influential Saudi-Arabian mixed martial artist. The reaper ran his pro-MMA record to 8-1 with a third-round TKO win over Edukondal Rao.
Al-Qahtani’s full MMA bag was on display as he delighted his countrymen with a victory in the landmark event. Al-Qahtani has already helped to bring Hattan Alsaif to the PFL. Alsaif is the first female Saudi-Arabian mixed martial artist signed to a major promotion.
Saudi Arabia has been established as the newest combat sports hotbed, and Al-Qahtani is one of the first local fighters to make a mark with a top promotion.
As PFL Middle East-North Africa (MENA) kicks into gear in 2024, Al-Qahtani and others will likely continue to be significant inspirations for aspiring fighters in the region.
Claressa Shields Makes History in Gutsy Performance
People can say what they want about Shields’ brashness and many of her comments on social media, but no one can question the heart of the Flint native. She is among the bravest and most fierce competitors in any sport.
In just her third mixed martial arts contest–and the first-ever female MMA bout in Saudi Arabia–Shields fought off a deep armbar in the first round against Kelsey DeSantis to pummel her way to a split-decision win.
Shields, a two-time gold medalist and multiple-time boxing champion, still admittedly has some things to learn about the clinch and escaping if she’s taken down, but what remains clear is her advantage in striking.
Shields did significant damage with her hands to DeSantis’ head and body and nearly won by stoppage in the second and third rounds. She finished the fight on her back after a DeSantis takedown but did enough in the eyes of two of the judges to get the win.
Biaggio Ali Walsh is Ready For the Pro Scene
For as long as Ali Walsh fights, he’ll be known as the grandson of Muhammad Ali.
However, if he continues to improve, his accomplishments may come in as a close second. In his MMA pro debut, Ali Walsh showed good balance, diversity, and poise in a unanimous decision win over Emmanuel Palacio.
Ali Walsh looks ready for the pro scene. If he continues to improve, the PFL’s biggest challenge may be to keep him away from its competitors if and when he’s allowed to become a free agent.
Aaron Pico Might Have Finally Reached His Professional Prime
Pico was one of the most highly regarded combat sports prospects in the past ten years when he made his MMA debut in June 2017.
He was upset at the event (Bellator NYC) by Zach Freeman. Pico also stumbled to stoppage losses in three of his first seven bouts. One of those defeats came at the hands of Henry Corrales back in January 2019.
Pico avenged the loss with a first-round TKO on Saturday, and he has now nine of his last 10, with his only defeat coming via shoulder injury in a bout against Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 286 in October 2022. Pico looks like his poise has finally begun to align with his massive talent. At only 27 years old, Pico’s best could be yet to come.
AJ McKee Silences Clay Collard
I spoke with Collard leading up to his bout with McKee, and the boxing and MMA veteran was critical of his opponent’s fight resume.
After McKee’s masterful 70-second submission win, Collard might have a newfound respect for the Bellator champion.
McKee looked like a fighter capable of competing with any 155-pounder.
Yoel Romero is The Most Impressive 46-Year-Old Athlete in the World
Does he look less muscular than he did during his heyday as a UFC contender? Yes, but you’ll still be hard-pressed to find another 46-year-old athlete in any sport as fit and explosive as Romero.
The former Olympian outworked Thiago Santos en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Vadim Nemkov Looks Legit As a Heavyweight
In Nemkov’s debut as a heavyweight, he looked legit. Nemkov choked out Bruno Cappelozza in the second round.
After establishing himself as one of the world’s best light heavyweights, the Russian wants to make a mark as a heavyweight.
Whether he looks to join the PFL heavyweight season this year or make a run at the Bellator title, Nemkov proved himself a dangerous addition to his new weight class.
Jason Jackson Looks Better With Every Fight
Jackson, the Bellator welterweight champion, is easy to root for whenever he fights.
He brings positive energy into the cage along with a growing bag of MMA skills. The bag was displayed Saturday night as he destroyed Ray Cooper III, finishing him via TKO in the second round.
Every time we see Jackson fight, he seems to get better. He is an ideal candidate to join the PFL welterweight championship season if he elects to go that route.
Impa Kasanganay’s Impressive Performance Falls Short vs. Johnny Eblen
The most competitive fight of the night saw Eblen edge Kasanganay via a split decision.
I scored the fight for Kasanganay, but the first one was close and could’ve gone either way. Two of the three judges scored it for Eblen, and that was the difference. Kasanganay nearly stopped Eblen in the second round with two power shots, but the tough Bellator champion survived the onslaught.
Eblen then secured a crucial takedown in the third to escape with the win. Even in defeat, Kasanganay continued to show his growth and established himself as one of the true stars of the PFL and one of the most compelling fighters in the sport.
Renan Ferreira vs. Francis Ngannou Just Got More Interesting
With the final hopes for the PFL on his broad shoulders, Ferreira wasted no time proving that he was superior to Ryan Bader and one of the best heavyweights in the world.
It took the 6-foot-8 Brazilian just 21 seconds to flatten Ryan Bader, earn his PFL-Bellator title belt and ring, and infuse new intrigue into the PFL debut of Francis Ngannou.
After Ngannou battles former world boxing champion Anthony Joshua in March, he will face Ferreira in his first fight with the PFL.
Ferreira’s size and power present a challenge for Ngannou, ensuring the Cameroonian won’t have a walk in the park in his first PFL fight.
