PFL Playoffs 2 weigh-in results: All 26 fighters make weight for promotion’s UK debut

The PFL’s first fight card in the UK is now official.

All 26 fighters set for action at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff successfully hit their contracted weights ahead of fight night in Wales, with all four PFL 2022 season semi-finalists locking in their chance to fight for a place in their respective divisions’ $1 million season finale.

Headlining the event is former Bellator welterweight champion and former UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald, who will bid to put himself into a title fight for a third major promotion when he faces late replacement Dilano Taylor, who was drafted in to substitute for Russian Magomed Umalatov, who was unable to travel due to visa issues.

Similar visa issues also scuppered the semi-final appearance of heavyweight Denis Goltsov, who was replaced by Juan Adams to face Matheus Scheffel, himself a replacement for the injured Bruno Cappelozza. Also drafted in on short notice is Cage Warriors middleweight contender Mick Stanton, who faces off against Marcin Wojcik in a light heavyweight showcase bout.

The event is also a landmark show for the English Mixed Martial Arts Association (EMMAA), who will shadow sanction the event alongside PFL regulatory staff in Wales. The organisation will also perform shadow-sanctioning duties at the PFL’s third playoff event in London on August 20, with PFL CEO Peter Murray hailing the partnership struck between the two bodies.

“On behalf of the Professional Fighters League, we are proud to announce we have partnered with the English Mixed Martial Arts Association (EMMAA) to shadow sanction the historic PFL Playoff events taking place in Cardiff on August 13th at the Motorpoint Arena and London on August 20 at the Copper Box,” said Murray.

“I would like to thank EMMAA acting chairman Marc Goddard and his entire team for their collaborative spirit and commitment to help fuel PFL’s continued international growth. Over the next two weeks, we will have the best MMA fighters from around the world descend upon the UK to battle it out in our win-or-go-home PFL Playoffs to secure a spot in the 2022 PFL World Championship, where $6 million dollars and six World Champion belts are on the line.”

“EMMAA are delighted by the cooperation and collaborative opportunity to work alongside the PFL’s inaugural launch in the UK,” said EMMAA acting chairman Marc Goddard.

“Our association has made great strides in our efforts to promote and govern the sport from grass roots right up to world-class professional events. It is the willingness to engage and the inclusive opportunity that the PFL is providing, and I would like to extend my thanks to Peter Murray, James Frewin, Jim Bramson & all at the PFL for their support.”