Abdullah Ouazri

ONE FC Lightweight Submission Grappling champion Kade Ruotolo promised an MMA debut to come in early 2023 following his recent title win over Uali Kurzhev. 

Ruotolo is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu phenom that has taken the combat sports world by storm. At just 19 years of age, he became the youngest person ever to win gold at an ADCC tournament. ADCC is the ultimate prestige in the world of Jiu-Jitsu where masters from around the globe gather to compete against the very best. Ruotolo made short work of his competition this year and etched his name in the all-time record books.

His success did not stop there, however. He continued his journey in ONE Championship where he had already defeated the legend Shinya Aoki en route to gold. He earned himself a title shot against Sambo Master of Sport, Uali Khurzhev, last month at ONE on Prime Video 3. He submitted Kurzhev in round 1 via heel hook and became the inaugural ONE FC Lightweight Submission Grappling champion.

![kade 12.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/90da821f-a367-433f-68bb-76615aec8a00/pub "Kade Ruotolo defeats Uali Kurzhev. Credits to: ONE Championship")

Following his win, he told the media:

> Guaranteed next year we'll be in the circle with the gloves on. Definitely within the first 6 months of next year, guaranteed, for sure. - Kade Ruotolo gives a timeline on his MMA debut.

Ruotolo's first fight will be one of the most anticipated debuts in recent times as he brings a lethal ground game and an ever improving skillset on the feet.

Kade Ruotolo 'Guarantees' MMA Debut in 2023

Liam Mooney

Aljamain Sterling is arguably the best Bantamweight of all time; before his defeat to Sean O'Malley, Sterling had won nine straight fights, defending the title three times. And after an excellent performance against Calvin Kattar, Sterling has the potential to mix up the Featherweight division. With his first win as a Featherweight in the UFC against a top contender, the "Funkmaster" now faces the question of who is next. Here are three potential opponents he could face moving forward.

## Brian Ortega (#3)

Brain Ortega had a great comeback victory against Yair Rodriguez, ultimately propelling himself into a potential title match. However, with question marks around who the champion will fight next and whether Alexander Volkanovski will get his immediate rematch, it leaves him free for a substantial amount of time. Given his long layoff previously, it would make sense for him to stay active, and a win over Sterling could all but cement a title shot in the future. The same would go for Sterling, who would step up in competition against a top 5 opponent; a victory would also fast-track him to a title shot and give the fans a great matchup.

## Movosar Evloev (#5)

Evloev is also coming off an impressive victory against Arnold Allen and is certainly a contender for a title shot soon. Sterling has proven himself in the Bantamweight division, so a fight against a top-five opponent next would make sense if the UFC is looking to push him toward the title, and Evloev could be the final missing piece to that puzzle. 

## Josh Emmet (#7)

If the UFC is not looking to throw Sterling into title talk directly, then Josh Emmet could be the perfect next challenge. Emmet is coming off his unbelievable knockout victory over Bryce Mitchell and is ranked one place high than Kattar. Emmet also possesses unworldly power and would be a statement victory should Sterling be able to pull off a victory competing in his new weight class. 

Who would you like to see Sterling face next? Let us know with a comment below.

Aljamain Sterlings Next Fight in The UFC

Douglas Vegas Bets

The biggest card of the year is here, as UFC 300 is underway from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas! Follow along with the results all night long down below.

## Early Prelims

## Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Cody Garbrandt

Result: Deiveson Figueiredo def. Cody Garbrandt via Submission (Read-Naked-Choke) in Round 2, 4:02

Division: Bantamweight

Referee: Mark Smith

After a slow round one, Figueiredo secured a takedown and transitioned to the back to secure the choke.

## Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller

Result: Bobby Green def. Jim Miller via Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 29-26)

Division: Lightweight

Referee: Marc Goddard

In round one, Jim Miller hurt Green badly by dropping him, but later in the round, Green found his timing. In round two, Green upped the volume and received a cut over Miller's eye. Green dominated the final round, landing hard shots and backing Miller up, nearly getting the finish at the very end of the fight.

## Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodriguez

Result: Jessica Andrade def. via split decision Marina Rodriguez (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Division: Strawweight

Referee: Chris Tognoni

Rodriguez landed a high volume of strikes and made some submission attempts, although Andrade showed a clear power advantage by landing the more impactful shots throughout.

## Jalin Turner vs. Renato Moicano

Result: Renato Moicano def. Jalin Turner via TKO (Ground and Pound) Round 2, 4:11

Division: Lightweight

Referee: Herb Dean

Early, Turner landed a kick that hurt Moicano before getting taken down and controlled before a late right hand that Turner didn't follow up on. In Round Two, Moicano took over and eventually got a stoppage with dominant ground and pound.

## Prelims

## Sodiq Yusuff vs. Diego Lopes

Result: Diego Lopes def. Sodiq Yusuff via TKO Round 1, 1:29

Division: Featherweight

Referee: Mark Smith

Lopes landed an early uppercut and poured it on from there to get the stoppage from Mark Smith.

## Holly Holm vs. Kayla Harrison

Result: Kayla Harrison def. Holly Holm via Submission (Rear-Naked-Choke) Round 2, 1:47

Division: Bantamweight

Referee: Marc Goddard

Kayla Harrison showed her grappling dominance in her debut by controlling, pounding on, and eventually submitting former champion Holly Holm.

## Calvin Kattar vs. Aljamain Sterling

Result: Aljamain Sterling def. Calvin Kattar via Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Division: Featherweight

Referee: Jason Herzog

Aljamain Sterling dominated Calvin Kattar showing a clear edge in the wrestling on his way to a clear decision win.

## Jiri Prochazka vs. Aleksandar Rakic

Result: Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic via Knockout Round 2, 3:17

Division: Light Heavyweight

Referee: Herb Dean

After eating a crazy amount of low calf kicks, Prochazka began to land massive punches and drop Rakic before pounding him out.

## Main Card

## Bo Nickal vs. Cody Brundage

Result: Bo Nickal def. Cody Brundage via Submission (Rear-Naked-Choke) Round 2, 3:38

Division: Middleweight

Referee: Chris Tognoni

After some wild strikes early, Nickal secured the takedown and controlled Brundage for round one. In round two, after securing the mount, Nickal forced Brundage to give up the back and took his neck.

## Charles Oliveira vs. Arman Tsarukyan

Result: Arman Tsarukyan def. Charles Oliveira via Split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Division: Lightweight

Referee: Mark Smith

In a wild back-and-forth affair that saw Oliveira nearly submit Tsarukyan multiple times, Tsarukyan's wrestling and elbows would get his hand raised via split decision.

## Justin Gaethje vs. Max Holloway

Result: Max Holloway def. Justin Gaethje via Knockout Round 5, 4:59

Division: Lightweight

Referee: Marc Goddard

In a wild fight, Max Holloway proved he is one of the greatest of all time by putting on a masterclass performance, eventually landing a hellacious right hand at the final second to get the highlight knockout.

## Weili Zhang vs. Yan Xionan

Result: Weili Zhang def. Yan Xionan via Unanimous decision (49-45 x3)

Division: Strawweight

Referee: Jason Herzog

In a dominant showing, Zhang Weili secured a choke that rendered Yan unconscious to end round one. The fight continued, and Zhang used her wrestling to control Yan and pound on her for round two and most of the final two rounds after a tough third.

## Alex Pereira vs. Jamahal Hill

Result: Alex Pereira def. Jamahal Hill via Knockout Round One, 3:14

Division: Light Heavyweight

Referee: Herb Dean

It was over quick as Pereira landed a clean left hook early that put the lights out.

UFC 300 Results

Jim Miller's journey to competing at UFC 300 is a testament to his enduring presence in the world of mixed martial arts. As a fighter who has been part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) roster since 2008 and a professional since 2005, Miller's career has nearly two decades of high-level competition, setting records and achieving milestones that few fighters can claim. His fight this weekend with Bobby Green will mark his 44th appearance in the UFC. Unsurprisingly, Miller holds the record for the most fights under the UFC banner. 


Jim Miller was born in Sparta Township, New Jersey, on January 16, 1985. He began wrestling at the age of four and won a state championship by the age of seven. After a brief stint in Lock Haven University's Division I wrestling program, Miller returned to Sparta, where he trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Maia at the BJJ Revolution Team. He made his professional MMA debut in April 2005, showcasing his grappling prowess from the start.


![gettyimages-102534874-1024x1024-transformed.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/fb90922a-1e26-47cc-b060-1f1177b91000/public "Jim Miller (red shorts) def. David Baron (black/flame shorts) - Submission (rear naked choke) - 3:19 round 3 during UFC 89 at The NIA on October 18, 2008 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.")


Miller made his UFC debut on October 18, 2008, at UFC 89, where he submitted David Baron with a rear-naked choke. This victory marked the beginning of his storied career in the UFC, where he would face a who's who of the lightweight division, including Frankie Edgar, Benson Henderson, Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier, Charles Oliveria, Anthony Pettis, and Dan Hooker, among others.

Jim Miller's impact on the sport of MMA, particularly within the UFC, is significant. He holds the UFC record for most fights (43), most wins (26), and most submission attempts (48). These records speak to his longevity, versatility, and aggressive fighting style that has made him a fan favorite and a respected figure among his peers


![GettyImages-102525408-2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/f0fe6258-aa4f-4753-4dc1-44e75c2ec600/public "im Miller (orange/black shorts) def. Mac Danzig (blue/white shorts) - Unanimous Decision during UFC 100 at Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 11, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC.")


One of the most notable milestones in Miller's career is his distinction as the only fighter to win at both UFC 100 and UFC 200. At UFC 100, held on July 11, 2009, Miller defeated Mac Danzig by unanimous decision. Seven years later, at UFC 200 on July 9, 2016, Miller made history by becoming the first fighter to win at both landmark events, defeating Takanori Gomi with a vicious ground-and-pound TKO victory in the first round. These victories cemented Miller's legacy and highlighted his ability to perform on the biggest stages.

As UFC 300 approached, UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Jim Miller would be part of this historic event, making him the only fighter to compete at UFC 100, UFC 200, and UFC 300. This achievement underscores Miller's remarkable longevity and continued relevance in the sport. Miller's journey to UFC 300 is not just a personal milestone but also a celebration of his contributions to MMA and the UFC. His records for most fights wins, and submission attempts in the UFC are a testament to his skill, resilience, and passion for fighting.


![GettyImages-545709680-2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/1d1c2e7c-c857-47f4-6f0a-000af6f9b200/public "Jim Miller (top) wrestles with Takanori Gomi of Japan in their lightweight bout during the UFC 200 event on July 9, 2016 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Harry How/Zuffa LLC.")


Jim Miller's journey to UFC 300 is a narrative of perseverance, skill, and an unwavering love for the sport of MMA. From his early days in Sparta, New Jersey, to the bright lights of the UFC Octagon, Miller has faced the best fighters in the world and has left an indelible mark on the sport. As he prepares to step into the Octagon at UFC 300, Miller's legacy as one of the most durable and skilled fighters in UFC history is already secure. His story inspires, showcasing what is possible with hard work, dedication, and a never-say-die attitude.




Jim Miller's Journey To UFC:300

ROUNDHOUSE MMA

Jiri Prochazka was fighting for the undisputed UFC light heavyweight title last November in the main event of UFC 295 against the man headlining UFC 300 this weekend, Alex Pereira. Prochazka ultimately came up short, but it's crazy to see a fighter of his style and popularity competing on the featured prelim this weekend on a monumental card. Jiri has had a very short UFC career, but he has become a champion, fought for two titles, and has fought the absolute best competition. 

Let's take a look at his best and most memorable fights in his mixed martial arts career. 

## Jiri Prochazka vs Muhammad Lawal - RIZIN 15

Jiri Prochazka's final fight before entering the UFC was likely the one that made Dana White pull the trigger and sign the light heavyweight standout. This fight was an entertaining back-and-forth, with Prochazka earning the third-round finish, winning the RIZIN Light Heavyweight title. Dana White immediately saw something in Prochazka and signed him to fight in the UFC. From there, the rest is history. 

## Jiri Prochazka vs Volkan Oezdemir - UFC 251

Jiri's UFC debut came against Volkan Oezdemir, who was a staple of the Light Heavyweight division and a former title challenger. This was the biggest fight of his career, and a huge test to see if the Czech prospect had what it took to become something in the UFC. Jiri came out of the gate very aggressively and earned a quick finish early into the second round over Oezdemir. The UFC had their contender. 

## Jiri Prochazka vs Dominick Reyes - UFC Fight Night

The fight that got Jiri his title shot was a memorable one. Dominick Reyes was looking to get back on track with a win, but Prochazka was looking to announce his arrival in the Light Heavyweight division in a big way and declare himself next for the title. Prochazka earned himself a title shot in spectacular fashion, missing on an overhand and following it up with a spinning back elbow that connected and sent Reyes falling face-first into the UFC canvas. Truly one of the most spectacular knockouts of the year, and a samurai was born. 

## Jiri Prochazka vs Glover Teixeira - UFC 275

The final fight on this list is Jiri's most memorable performance, his mark as a UFC fighter. Jiri Prochazka took on Glover Teixeira for the UFC lightweight title in Singapore at UFC 275. This was one of the best fights of the year, with both men having significant moments in the fight and coming very close to finishing one another. Glover was intent on grappling, and after hurting Jiri in the fifth and final round, he made the crucial mistake of going for a takedown and ended up in a vulnerable position in which he was choked out in the last round. It was a bloody, violent affair and in the end, Jiri Prochazka was the best Light Heavyweight in the world. 

Jiri Prochazka has had a fantastic career in mixed martial arts and has quickly risen to the top of the heap in the UFC. He takes on a returning Aleksandar Rakic this weekend at UFC 300, one of the most monumental cards in the promotion's history. 

Jiri Prochazka's Best Career Fights

Liam Lindsay

The UFC has just unveiled its new gloves design, which will be the official gloves used at UFC events, DWCS events, TUF fights, and more from UFC 302 onwards. A magnitude of features have been adjusted, and we will cover the critical design changes here.

## Gloves Construction Changes

The gloves, now called the 3EIGHTs (5EIGHT gloves will be worn by UFC Champions and will be golden), have a new design that increases the tightness around the wrist area. This improves fighter comfort and reduces the chance of a glove grab occurring in a fight.

The gloves also feature a sleeker design with fewer seems. This adjustment was made to reduce the number of cuts and lacerations on fighters' faces. Changes were also made to the finger bindings to fix the same issue. 

The gloves now also feature scooped/angled finger holes, which are targeted to reduce bunching on the inside of the closed fist. This will hopefully also encourage fighters to keep a closed fist to decrease the number of eye pokes committed in fights.

## Weight and Sizeing

The difference in weight and sizing is a massive change to the UFC gloves. Depending on the size, UFC gloves will now weigh between 3 and 4.9 oz, a significant decrease from the previous gloves' weight of about 1 to 1.5 oz. The gloves will now also come in 10 different unisex styles, ranging from XXXS to XXXXL.

What do you think of the change in the new glove? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

The UFC Reveals New Gloves to Debut at UFC 302

UFC 300 is going down tomorrow! Here's the weigh-in results for today.

## Main Card

**_Light Heavyweight:_** Alex Pereira (c) (**??? lbs**) vs. Jamahal Hill (**205 lbs**)

**_Women's Strawweight:_** Zhang Weili (c) (**115 lbs**) vs. Yan Xiaonan (**115 lbs**)

**_Lightweight:_** Justin Gaethje (**156 lbs**) vs. Max Holloway (**156 lbs**)

**_Lightweight:_** Charles Oliveira (**156 lbs**) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (**156 lbs**)

**_Middleweight:_** Bo Nickal (**186 lbs**) vs. Cody Brundage (**186 lbs**)

## Prelims

**_Light Heavyweight:_** Jiří Procházka (**206 lbs**) vs. Aleksandar Rakić (**206 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Calvin Kattar (**145.5 lbs**) vs. Aljamain Sterling (**146 lbs**)

**_Women's Bantamweight:_** Holly Holm (**136 lbs**) vs. Kayla Harrison (**136 lbs**)

**_Featherweight:_** Sodiq Yusuff (**146 lbs**) vs. Diego Lopes (**146 lbs**)

## Early Prelims

**_Lightweight:_** Jalin Turner (**155.5 lbs**) vs. Renato Moicano (**156 lbs**)

**_Women's Strawweight:_** Jéssica Andrade (**116 lbs**) vs. Marina Rodriguez (**116 lbs**)

**_Lightweight:_** Bobby Green (**156 lbs**) vs. Jim Miller (**??? lbs**)

**_Bantamweight:_** Deiveson Figueiredo (**135.5**) vs. Cody Garbranft (**136)**

Which fight are you most excited for tomorrow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

UFC 300 Weigh-In Results

The time is now! The historic UFC 300 is finally here; with a thirteen-fight main card including twelve former Champions and eighteen ranked contenders, it easily wins the merit of the most stacked card in UFC history. Today, we will break down every prelim, discussing the matchups, their impact, and how they may play out.

## Deiveson Figueiredo (#7) vs. Cody Garbrandt

The first fight of UFC 300 is a fight that has been previously booked before. In 2020, Garbrandt was supposed to move down to the Flyweight division to face Figueiredo in a title fight; now, they get to do it at 300. Both men are former Champions, primarily strikers with insane knockout power for the division. However, we have seen Figueiredo use his dangerous BJJ black belt when he submitted Joseph Benavidez and Alex Pe4rez.

We have also seen Cody Garbrandt lean on his wrestling skillset, which he effortlessly used to win a unanimous decision over Trevin Jones. Both men can expect to look for the knockout, but if needed, they can rely on their other skills to get the job done.

## Bobby Green (#14) vs. Jim Miller

The next fight is a true veteran vs. veteran matchup. Jim Miller gets his wish and will become the only fighter to have competed on UFC 100, UFC 200, and UFC 300. In the last years, Miller has shown far too much to handle for the lower-ranked Lightweights, quickly dispatching over Nikolas Motta and Jesse Butler. He also has the second most submission victories and finishes, falling behind Charles Oliveira in both categories.

On the other hand, Bobby Green is the record holder for the most significant and total strikes that have landed in the lightweight division and has a genuine, anytime-anywhere attitude. He defeated Tony Ferguson and Grant Dawson in 2023 and now is looking to get back in the win column against Jim Miller. "King" we'll be looking to use his unique style of fast, volumetric striking to outpace Miller and get the victory.

## Jessica Andrade vs. Marina Rodrigues

This Women's Strawweight bout is guaranteed to be explosive. Jessica Andrade is a former Champion and has received the most performance bonuses among all women who have competed in the UFC. Marina Rodriguez is equally entertaining, coming off a brutal finish over Michelle Waterson-Gomez.

We can expect Andrade to shoot forward with her powerful striking and look for Rodriguez to stick at a distance and piece Andrade up with her long-range kickboxing. There could be a finish at any moment in this fight.

## Jalin Turner (#10) vs. Renato Moicano (#13)

To close out the early prelims, Turner and Moicano will throw down in the UFC octagon. Turner is a physical specimen for the Lightweight division, standing at 6'3, and he looks every bit of it, and he's coming off a first-round KO over Bobby Green. Moicano is also coming off a victory against Drew Dober and has won 4 of his last five fights.

Jalin Turner will be looking to poke holes in Moicano's defense, whereas "Money" will want to drag the fight to the ground to look for a submission, which he has had ten of in his career. The winner of this fight will get a highly-ranked Lightweight opponent next.

## Sodiq Yusuff (#13) vs. Diego Lopes

The prelim opener is a Featherweight bout between Sodiq Yusuff and new star Diego Lopes. Yusuff has been in the UFC since 2018 and is coming off a Fight of The Year contender against Edson Barboza. He has a well-rounded game and has displayed his power against Suman Mokhtarian and Gabriel Benitez.

Diego Lopes, on the other hand, hasn't even been in the UFC for a year, but he's made a massive name for himself. His UFC debut against Movsar Evloev immediately garnered attention; since then, he's received two POTNs in his last two wins.

Yusuff, despite having a solid wrestling game, will likely look to keep this fight on the feet, and Lopes will want to get it to the ground to execute his nasty submission game. But both men are still dangerous wherever the fight goes.

## Holly Holm (#5) vs. Kayla Harrison

This fight will mark the debut of two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Judoka Kayla Harrison, who will take on former boxing Champion Holly Holm. It is a clear grappler vs. striker matchup, and there's no secret as to which fighter will be looking to do what.

Both fighters have been Champions in their divisions. Holly Holm previously held the UFC Bantamweight title, and Kayla Harrison is a former three-time PFL World Champion. 

## Calvin Katter (#8) vs. Aljamain Sterling (#2 BW)

Halfway through the card, we have Calvin Kattar returning from a nearly two year layoff to face one of the Bantamweight GOATs, Aljamain Sterling. 

Calvin Kattar suffered a knee injury in his last fight vs. Arnold Allen, and has not competed since October 2022. He's a dangerous striker with eleven career knockouts, including highlight wins over Jeremy Stephens and Shane Burgos.

Aljamain Sterling on the other hand, is a master of the back-take, and will be looking to secure a submission vs. Kattar. This will be his first career fight at Featherweight, a move that was always going to come considering Sterlings size at BW.

## Jiri Prochazka (#2) vs. Aleksandar Rakic (#5)

The final prelim of UFC 300 will be a Light-Heavyweight matchup that could easily be the co-main event of any other PPV. Jiri Prochazka will look to defend his ranking against Rakic, who is also coming off near two year layoff, having last competed in May 2022.

Prochazka will be looking to make the fight awkward and high paced, whereas Rakic will want to slow it down and bully Jiri with his wrestling skillset. Both men possess insane knockout power, so it's safe to say this one going to distance isn't likely.

Which prelim are you most excited for? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know in the comments below.

UFC 300 Prelims Preview

The second installment of the PFL's regular season for 2024 begins on April 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will showcase the Light Heavyweight and Lightweight divisions as they compete to earn some early points.

This article will examine the Light Heavyweight athletes competing in the 2024 season.


## Alex 'Eazy' Polizzi

**Record:** 10-3-0 (0-0 PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 0in

**Reach:** 72in

**Nationality:** American

**Fighting out of:** Las Vegas, Nevada

**Opponent:** Impa Kasanganay

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1304597680031764483">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

Former LFA champion Polizzi will make his PFL debut this weekend against last year's champion, Impa Kasanganay. For the first time in his career, Polizzi has lost two consecutive fights and will undoubtedly have his work cut out for him if he is to end that streak this weekend. 

Polizzi is one of the former Bellator athletes now competing under the PFL banner since the two companies merged. During his time at Bellator, Polizzi had a record of 4-3, with two of those victories coming by submission. 

Polizzi also captured his LFA title with a heel hook and won 50% of his ten victories by submission. He has only been finished himself once in his thirteen-fight career, which was in the final second of his fight with Yoel Romero. 


## Antônio Carlos "CARA DE SAPATO" Júnior

**Record:** 15-5-0, 2NC (5-0, 1NC PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 2in

**Reach:** 79in

**Nationality:** Brazilian

**Fighting out of:** Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

**Opponent:** Simon Biyong

Carlos Jr. is a black in ju-jitsu. He had an extensive record and notable world championships competing in ju-jitsu from 2010 to 2014 before transitioning to MMA. The Ultimate Fighter season 3 Brazil graduate has been competing at the top level of MMA his entire career. Joining the UFC with a record of just 3-0, Carlos Jr. spent seven years with the promotion before cutting ties after three straight defeats. 

Carlos Jr. made an immediate impression in the PFL when he won the world championship in his debut season in 2021, winning two of his three fights via submission. Carlos Jr. continued to impress in the opening two fights of the 2022 season with a 29-second victory via Brabo choke over Delan Monte and a unanimous decision victory over Bruce Souto. Carlos Júnior was scheduled to face Omari Akhmedov in the Semifinal but suffered an ACL injury that has kept him sidelined to this day. 

Carlos Jr. is one of the most dangerous competitors in the PFL and will be somebody to keep an eye on this season. 


## Dovletdzhan "WOLFHOUND" Yagshimuradov

**Record:** 21-7-1 (0-0 PFL)

**Height:** 5ft 11in

**Reach:** 72in

**Nationality:** Turkmenistan

**Fighting out of:** Kharkiv, Ukraine

**Opponent:** Jakob Nedoh

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ACA_League/status/934507831956529153">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```


Yagshimuradov began training in mixed martial arts in 2011 as a student. He made his professional debut in 2012 at the Oplot Challenge 1 tournament, where he fought to a draw against Czech fighter Rudolf Kriz. Over the next several years, Yagshimuradov compiled a record of 11 wins, five losses, and one draw, competing for various regional promotions.

In 2017, Yagshimuradov signed up for the Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA) promotion, which he found to be a great success. He won seven fights, including victories over Dan Konecki, Jared Torgeson, and Joachim Christensen. His impressive knockout win over Christensen also earned him a performance bonus.

Yagshimuradov will be one of the fighters making the switch from Bellator. Riding a three-fight win streak, Yagshimuradov will be coming to the PFL with bags of confidence, and for good reason. He has finished 76% of his wins with twelve KO/TKOs and four submission wins. 

Yagshimuradov has proven that he is a dangerous fighter no matter where the fight goes and will undoubtedly be a great addition to the already stacked Light Heavyweight division.


## Impa "TSHILOBO" Kasangany

**Record:** 15-5-0 (5-1 PFL)

**Height:** 5ft 11in

**Reach:** 75in

**Nationality:** American

**Fighting out of:** Charlotte, North Carolina

**Opponent:** Alex Polizzi


```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/VerdictMMA/status/1778502121526112594">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

Kasanganay's mixed martial arts career began in 2019, and he quickly amassed a 4-0 record on the regional circuit. His performances earned him an invitation to Dana White's Contender Series in 2019 and 2020, where he secured a UFC contract after his second appearance. 

He made his UFC debut against Maki Pitolo on August 29, 2020, winning the fight unanimously. However, his second UFC fight against Joaquin Buckley ended in a memorable loss. After a win against Sasha Palatnikov and a loss to Carlston Harris, Kasanganay was released from the UFC in December 2021.

Following his UFC stint, Kasanganay signed with Eagle FC, where he suffered a split-decision loss to Raimond Magomedaliev. Despite this setback, he persevered and eventually signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) after a TKO victory over Osama Elseady during the PFL Challenger Series 15. In 2023, Kasanganay won the PFL's light heavyweight championship and a $1 million prize after winning all four fights in the league tournament. 

Kasanganay later competed in the cross-over event of PFL vs. Bellator, losing a closely fought fight in a split decision to Johnny Elben in a Middleweight bout for the "PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion" Super Belt.


## Jakob "The Gorilla" Nedoh

**Record:** 8-1-0 (3-0 PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 3in

**Reach:** 73in

**Nationality:** Slovenian

**Fighting out of:** Ljubljana, Slovenia

**Opponent:** Doveletdzhan Yagshimuradov

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/CSTodayNews/status/1708222637753704940">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

Nedoh has a total of 6 knockouts and two submission wins, with all of his victories bar his most recent ending in the first round; his last fight at PFL 4 ended in the second round, where he won via TKO over Simeon Powell.

He is on an eight-fight winning streak, with his only loss coming in his first professional bout. Before his MMA career, Nedoh was a kickboxer and competed in boxing matches. He has trained in various martial arts since childhood, including kickboxing, boxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.


## Josh "Coninha" Silveira

**Record:** 12-2-0 (5-2 PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 1in

**Reach:** 75in

**Nationality:** American

**Fighting out of:** Coconut Creek, Florida

**Opponent:** Sadibou Sy

Silveira has an impressive record of 12 wins and 2 losses, with six wins coming by submission and five by knockout. During the 2023 season, Silveira finished all three of his opponents in the first round and made it to the final, where he unfortunately fell short against Impa Kasanganay. 

Before joining the PFL, Silveira had a successful career in various regional promotions, including Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) and Titan FC. His notable victories include a rear-naked choke submission against Rafael Viana at LFA 106 and a knockout against Tee Cummins at LFA 115.

Silveira is known for his versatile fighting style, which includes striking and grappling skills. He will be looking to welcome Sadibou Sy, the 2022 Welterweight champion and 2023 finalist, to the Light Heavyweight division this weekend. 


## Phil "Mr Wonderful" Davis

**Record:** 24-7-0 (0-0 PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 2in

**Reach:** 78in

**Nationality:** American

**Fighting out of:** San Diego, California

**Opponent:** 

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ocelot_MMA/status/1572255205743362051">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

Davis is a former four-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at Penn State and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Lloyd Irvin. He began his professional MMA career in 2008 and has a record of 24 wins and seven losses, with 13 wins by decision, five wins by submission, and six wins by knockout.

Davis is a former Bellator Light Heavyweight champion with a notable career in both the UFC and in Bellator. His resume includes wins over Tim Boetsch, Antônio Rogério Nogueira, Glover Teixeira, Lyoto Machida, and Yoel Romero. Davies was scheduled to fight Rob Wilkinson on this weekend's card but has since had to withdraw from the fight and currently doesn't have a scheduled opponent. 


## Robert 'Razor' Wilkinson

**Record:** 17-2-0 (4-0, 1NC PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 3in

**Reach:** 80in

**Nationality:** Australian

**Fighting out of:** Englewood, Colorado

**Opponent:** Tom Breese

```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/PFLMMA/status/1777116876059128051">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```

Wilkinson began his professional MMA career in 2011 and quickly made a name for himself on the regional circuit, amassing an impressive record of 11-0, with most of his victories coming via stoppage in the first round. His early success led him to capture the Australian Fighting Championship middleweight title and the BRACE middleweight championship belt. 

Wilkinson made his promotional debut in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on September 2, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve, where he faced Siyar Bahadurzada and suffered his first career loss via TKO in the second round. He then faced Israel Adesanya on February 11, 2018, at UFC 221, where he lost via TKO in the second round. Following these two fights, Wilkinson was released from his UFC contract on August 14, 2018

In 2022, Wilkinson joined the PFL and had an impressive season. He won all his fights by stoppage and ultimately claimed the PFL Light Heavyweight World Championship and the $1 million collective tournament pool. His victories included a second-round TKO over Bruce Souto, a first-round TKO over Viktor Pešta, a first-round knockout of Delan Monte, and a doctor-stoppage win against Omari Akhmedov in the finals.

Wilkinson began his 2023 PFL season with a bout against former UFC Light Heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos on April 1, 2023, at PFL 1, which he won via unanimous decision. However, the result was later overturned to a no-contest after Wilkinson tested positive for an elevated t/e ratio. This weekend will mark the return of the 2022 champion, who will be out to prove himself again.

## Sadibou 'The Swedish Denzel Washington' Sy


**Record:** 16-7-2 (10-5-2, 1NC PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 3in

**Reach:** 80in

**Nationality:** Swedish

**Fighting out of:** Stockholm, Sweden

**Opponent:** Josh Silveira

Sy's MMA career began in the Stockholm-based IRFA (International Ring Fight Arena) organization. He amassed a 2-1 record before debuting at SC 12, where he defeated Englishman Carl Booth via first-round TKO. After two fights with other organizations, Sy returned to Superior Challenge with a 6-2 record. 

At SC 14, he gained widespread attention for his viral head-kick KO against Welshman David Round. Sy continued his winning streak at SC 16, defeating Greek fighter Nikos Sokolis with another first-round TKO. In the PFL, Sy has had a successful career, winning the Welterweight championship in 2022 and reaching the final in 2023. His most recent fight was in the final against Magomed Magomedkerimov at PFL 10, which ended in a loss via submission.

Sy will make the jump from Welterweight to Light Heavyweight as the PFL doesn't have a Middleweight division. Many will be keen to see how the former Welterweight champion fares at the much heavier weight class.


## Simon "HEMLÉ"  Biyong

**Record:** 9-3 (0-0 PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 5in

**Reach:** 80in

**Nationality:** Cameroonian

**Fighting out of:** Genova, Italy

**Opponent:** Antônio Carlos Júnior

Biyong will be another former Bellator athlete making his PFL debut against a dangerous and game opponent. Biyong was only in Bellator for a few years and had a record of 2-2.

Biyong's fighting style is characterized by his striking abilities, particularly his knockout power. He is also known for his aggressive approach and ability to finish fights quickly. With seven out of his nine wins coming from KO/TKO, he is a dangerous opponent for anybody in the Light Heavyweight division.


## Tom Breese

**Record:** 18-4 (1-0 PFL)

**Height:** 6ft 3in

**Reach:** 73.5in

**Nationality:** English

**Fighting out of:** Birmingham, England

**Opponent:** Rob Wilkinson


```iframe
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The oddsmakers are always confident in Israel Adesanya.<br><br>He&#39;s lost 3 fights to Alex Pereira, but the oddsmakers still have him as a favorite heading into this weekend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UFC287?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UFC287</a> <a href="https://t.co/0MF4krsH1v">pic.twitter.com/0MF4krsH1v</a></p>&mdash; Verdict (@TournamentsMMA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1349038437517545474">April 5, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
```


Breese has a professional MMA record of 18 wins, four losses, and 0 draws, with five wins by knockout, 12 by submission, and one by decision. His most recent fight was on December 8, 2023, where he defeated C. Silva by submission (rear-naked choke) in the third round at the PFL Europe Championship.

Breese began training MMA at 16 and skipped college to train full-time. He successfully made his professional debut for the promotion BAMMA in 2010. Breese fought exclusively in his native country, England, and amassed an undefeated record of 7-0, with all but one win coming by submission. In the UFC, Breese made his promotional debut against Luiz Dutra Jr. on May 30, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 67. He won the fight via TKO in the first round after dropping his opponent with a straight left and following up with ground and pound to earn the TKO victory. The win also earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award.

Breese faced Cathal Pendred on October 24, 2015, at UFC Fight Night 76. He dominated the fight with striking exchanges en route to another TKO victory in the first round. Like his UFC debut, Breese dropped his opponent with a straight left and followed up with ground and pound to earn the TKO victory. The win also earned him his second Performance of the Night bonus award.

Since leaving the UFC, Breese has fought across Levels Fight League and KSW; he is currently riding a three-fight win streak and will undoubtedly be coming into his fight with the former champ with confidence. 






PFL 2024 Season: The Light Heavyweight Spotlight

Joey Kolnicki

This weekend is gearing up to be a historic one for MMA. The card has a bevy of former champions and title contenders from top to bottom. The quality of the card is exemplified by one of the most exciting matchups in MMA landing on the early prelims, Moicano vs. Turner. 

**This fight takes place in the Lightweight (155 lbs.) division.**

Renato Moicano has a professional record of 18-5-1 and has won four of his last five outings. He holds UFC victories over Drew Dober, Calvin Kattar, and Brad Riddell. 

Jalin Turner has a professional record of 14-7-0 and has won three of his last five bouts. He holds UFC victories over Bobby Green, Jamie Mullarkey, and Josh Culibao. 

![moicano3.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/f56baa62-444f-47fa-5118-0b8b1fff0900/public "Renato Moicano lands a right hook on Rafael Dos Anjos. Credit: MMA Mania.")

Moicano is a grappling ace with an excellent submission game but is more than willing to throw down on the feet. With only five of his fifteen bouts in the promotion going the distance, he fights with a “kill or be killed” mentality. He won’t often waste too much time before shooting in for a takedown, usually securing them quickly and immediately advancing position on the ground. Moicano is dangerous on top, especially if he takes his opponent’s back, with all his career submissions coming via rear-naked choke. He’s aggressive on the ground, always trying to move to a better position, but he is also intelligent and rarely puts himself in danger. On the feet, he has solid speed and power in his hands and loves to throw uppercuts and elbows when in close.

![turner1.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/3431bbb4-b3e6-4447-c5ff-1cf65b7d9200/public "Jalin Turner blasts Dan Hooker with a head kick. Credit: Zuffa LLC.")

Turner is an excellent striker who usually fights in an upright stance and throws everything in combination. He constantly pursues a finish but remains patient, never overextending or telegraphing attacks. He has power in both hands and is very fluid on the feet, quickly chaining attacks together and using various strikes. Turner is as active on the ground as on the feet and constantly tries to improve position or find a finish. He is a huge lightweight, standing at 6’3, and uses his length by fighting at range and damaging his opponent without getting hit. He has serious speed and power in both hands and has shown solid cardio, making him dangerous at any time.

![turner2.jpg](https://imagedelivery.net/kd_oB-9dZCrENaJzp7HSCA/c1ce4ab9-2ea5-45fa-0613-b53e4af1c000/public "Jalin Turner rains down ground and pound onto Bobby Green. Credit: MMA Mania.")

This is a fight you definitely won’t want to miss.

Verdict's Sleeper Fight of the Week: Moicano vs. Turner

A ranked Heavyweight matchup has just been announced. Jailton Almeida will take on Alexander Romanov at UFC 302, per AG Fight. UFC 302 is scheduled to go down in Newark, New Jersey, on June 1st, inside the Prudential Center.

**This fight occurs in the Heavyweight (265 lbs) division.**

Jailton Almeida has a professional record of 20-3 (6-1 UFC) and is ranked #7 in the Heavyweight division. He has notable wins over Derrick Lewis, Jairzinho Rozenstruik, and Shamil Abdurakhimov.

Alexander Romanov is the #13 ranked Heavyweight and holds a professional record of 17-2 (6-2 UFC), with credible wins over Blagoy Ivanov, Marcos Rogerio de Lima, and Juan Espino.

**Official betting odds have yet to be released.**

This Heavyweight matchup will see both fighters look to increase their populairity as they look to move into the top-5 of the division. Almeida is coming off his first UFC loss, where he was TKOed by Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299.

Alexander Romanov, however, is coming off a unanimous decision win over Blagoy Ivanov, but before that, two losses were dropped to Alexander Volkov and Marcin Tybura. This is an ample opportunity for Romanov to steal Almeida's ranking.

Who do you have winning this matchup? As a member of the Verdict Community, let us know with a comment down below.