Fight fans in Croatia and Sweden were celebrating as their fighters produced the goods on fight night in New York to capture championship belts at the 2022 PFL World Championships.
Croatia’s Ante Delija, a protege of the legendary Mirko Cro Cop, put his final disappointment from 2021 behind him as he blasted past Matheus Scheffel in two minutes, 50 seconds to capture the heavyweight championship.
Delija and Scheffel traded big shots from range, but it was when Delija stepped into the pocket and let fly that he made the breakthrough as he rocked the big Brazilian, then finished him with a barrage of shots to claim an emotional victory.
Delija jumped to the top of the cage to celebrate with his coach, as the raucous Croatian contingent in the Hulu Theater roared its approval.
It was a big night for Sweden, too, as welterweight Sadibou Sy outpointed Dilano Taylor to capture the 170-pound title.
Sy used his kicks to great effect as he kept Taylor out of boxing range while continuing to score himself. Taylor attempted to punch his way in, but the Swede’s footwork and movement were too slick as he comfortably outmaneuvered “The Postman” through the five-round duration to earn a unanimous decision victory and the welterweight title.
