On Saturday, Oct. 13, the Professional Fighters League continued its 2018 playoffs, holding its ninth event from the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, Calif.
As has been the case across weight classes in the PFL, the lightweight bracket had plenty of UFC veterans. This cast included Johnny Case, Chris Wade, Thiago Tavares, Rashid Magomedov and Will Brooks. Outside of this contingent, there were also a handful of prospects who have never set foot inside the Octagon, including the top finisher in the regular-season standings, Natan Schulte, and notable prospects Robert Watley and Islam Mamedov.
In the light heavyweight division, the UFC veterans include Vinny Magalhães, Sean O’Connell and Dan Spohn. This trio was joined by journeymen vets Rakim Cleveland, Emiliano Sordi, Bozigit Ataev, Maxim Grishin and Smealinho Rama.
The first portion of the card aired live on Facebook Watch at 6:15 p.m. ET. The remaining quarterfinal bouts and the entire semifinal round aired live on NBC Sports at 9 p.m. ET.
Natan Schulte def. Chris Wade by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) – lightweight semifinal
Sean O’Connell def. Smealinho Rama by knockout (punches). Round 1, 1:45– light heavyweight semifinal
Rashid Magomedov def. Thiago Tavares by TKO (punches). Round 2, 3:36 – lightweight semifinal
Vinny Magalhães def. Rakim Cleveland by submission (kimura). Round 1, 1:20 – light heavyweight quarterfinal
Natan Schulte vs. Johnny Case ruled a majority draw (19-19, 19-19, 19-18, Schulte advances after winning first round) – lightweight quarterfinal
Bozigit Ataev def. Emiliano Sordi by TKO (punches). Round 1, 1:43 – light heavyweight quarterfinal
Chris Wade def. Robert Watley by majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18) – lightweight quarterfinal
Sean O’Connell def. Dan Spohn by majority decision (19-18, 19-18, 19-19)– light heavyweight quarterfinal
Islam Mamedov def. Thiago Tavares by unanimous decision (20-18 x3, Mamedov could not compete in the semifinals) – lightweight quarterfinal
Maxim Grishin vs. Smealinho Rama ruled a majority draw (19-19, 19-19, 20-18, Rama advances after winning first round) – light heavyweight quarterfinal
Will Brooks vs. Rashid Magomedov ruled a unanimous draw (19-19 x3, Magomedov advances after winning first round)– lightweight quarterfinal
Brandon Halsey def. Ronny Markes by unanimous decision (20-18 x3) – light heavyweight tournament reserve bout
Ramsey Nijem def. Yuki Kawana by unanimous decision (19-18 x3) – lightweight tournament reserve bout