On Thursday, Oct. 17, the Professional Fighters League continued its 2019 playoffs as eight men in the lightweight and featherweight divisions took to the cage at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. First, they had to make it through a quarterfinal match-up. The fortunate few who advanced returned to the cage later in the night for the semifinals. The eventual winners secured a Dec. 31 date to compete for their division’s title and a $1 million payday.
In the lightweight division, 2018 champion Natan Schulte returned in a field that also included Islam Mamedov, Chris Wade, Akhmed Aliev, Rashid Magomedov, Nate Andrews, Loik Radzhabov and Ramsey Nijem.
In the featherweight division, defending 2018 winner Lance Palmer was joined by Movlid Khaybulaev, Luis Rafael Laurentino, Alex Gilpin, Andre Harrison, Jeremy Kennedy, Daniel Pineda and Gadzhi Rabadanov.
The action began on ESPN 2 at 8 p.m. ET with six fights. Then, it was over to ESPN+, where another six fights commenced at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Natan Schulte def. Akhmed Aliev by submission (arm-triangle choke). Round 2, 2:26 — lightweight semifinal
Daniel Pineda def. Jeremy Kennedy by submission (guillotine choke). Round 1, 4:00 — featherweight semifinal
Chris Wade def. Nate Andrews by majority decision (19-19, 20-18, 20-18) — lightweight quarterfinal
Islam Mamedov vs. Loik Radzhabov ruled a majority draw (20-18, 19-19, 19-19, Radzhabov advanced by judges’ choice) – lightweight quarterfinal
Akhmed Aliev def. Rashid Magomedov by unanimous decision (20-18 x3) — lightweight quarterfinal
Lance Palmer def. Alex Gilpin by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) — featherweight semifinal
Natan Schulte def. Ramsey Nijem by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 0:52 — lightweight quarterfinal
Jeremy Kennedy def. Luis Rafael Laurentino by TKO (punches). Round 2, 1:25 — featherweight quarterfinal
Daniel Pineda def. Movlid Khaybulaev by knockout (punches). Round 1, 0:29 — featherweight quarterfinal
Alex Gilpin def. Andre Harrison by technical submission (guillotine choke). Round 2, 1:49 — featherweight quarterfinal
Lance Palmer def. Alexandre Almeida by unanimous decision (20-17, 20-18, 20-18) — featherweight quarterfinal