The PFL returned to the Huntsman Center on Friday, June 21 for its penultimate regular season event in Salt Lake City.
Lightweights and light heavyweights took center stage at PFL 5, featuring the return of two-time tournament finalist Clay Collard taking main event duties against former Cage Warriors featherweight champion Mads Burnell. Also returning to the Smart Cage was the 2023 light heavyweight tournament winner Impa Kasanganay.
Coming off a big first-round knockout of Alex Polizzi in April, Kasanganya will look to secure himself a spot in the 2024 playoffs with a win over Slovenian standout Jakob Nedoh.
Rounding out the main card will be one of Bellator MMA’s most prolific finishers, Patricky Pitbull. The former Bellator lightweight champion came up short in his PFL debut, suffering a second-round knockout loss to Collard. He’ll look to bounce back against Bruno Miranda.
𝙒𝘼𝙆𝙀 𝙐𝙋 ❗️IT’S FIGHT DAY ‼️
The road to the 2024 #PFLPlayoffs continues in Salt Lake City as Light Heavyweights and Lightweights look to keep their Million Dollar Journeys alive 🏆💰
[#PFLRegularSeason | Fri, June 21st | 5pm ET on ESPN+ | 8pm ET on ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/yEIA73036U
— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
PFL 5 Main Card Results and Highlights:
Clay Collard vs. Mads Burnell:
Collard got off to a quick start, mixing up his strikes and piecing up Burnell in the center of the Smart Cage. With 90 seconds left in the round, Burnell was able to get his wrestling going but was unable to accomplish much offensively.
Burnell largely took over the second and third rounds with his wrestling, though Collard had the clear advantage in strikes, doubling the output of his opponent. Unfortunately, his work on the feet wasn’t enough to get the job done in the eyes of the judges.
Mads Burnell def. Clay Collard via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Even with the loss, Collard has still earned himself a spot in the 2024 PFL playoffs.
Round 3 up NOW! Final round of the night from Salt Lake City!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/yNqGD9WZbt— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Impa Kasanganay vs. Jakob Nedoh:
Despite needing a first-round finish to keep his playoff hopes alive, Jakob Nedoh failed the push the pace in the first five, likely wary of the impressive power that Kasanganay possesses.
Things certainly picked up in the second, but both fighters slinging heavy leather and looking for the highlight-reel KO. Bustin open Kasanganay during an exchange, Nedoh gained the upper hand, pressing his opponent against the fence and scoring a takedown. However, Kasanganay would work his way back up and unleashed an onslaught of strikes in the final seconds.
Though the referee did not step in and stop the fight before the end of the round, Nedoh was clearly compromised resulting in the fight being called off just before round three.
Impa Kasanganay def. Jakob Nedoh via TKO (strikes) at 5:00 or Round 2.
Jakob Nedoh puts Impa down. Impa is able to recover!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/HJFLzyo1xS— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
THIS IS A BRAWL!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/T6GAjeDLCT— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
THE REF DOESNT WAVE IT OFF. NEDOH MAY BE SAVED BY THE BELL! DRAMA INSIDE THE CAGE RN#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/ogQhdcup5U— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
ITS OVER. IMPA GETS THE VICTORY AND IS BACK IN THE #PFLPLAYOFFS!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/9WMp6uMrgc— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Patricky Pitbull vs. Bruno Miranda:
Patricky Pitbull came out firing on all cylinders, pushing the pace and catching Miranda in the early moments of the opening round. Unable to get the quick finish, Pitbull opted to slow the pace and utilize his wrestling, nearly locking in a guillotine choke against the fence.
After surrendering the first round to Pitbull, Miranda came storming back in the second, particularly in the final 30 seconds when he walked down the former Bellator champ and landed on him at will. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to finish things, sending us to a third and final round.
With the fight on the line, Pitbull played things a bit more conservatively, working Mirada down to the mat near the halfway point. With a minute left in the fight, the referee forced a standup, allowing Miranda to turn up the heat and steal the round.
Bruno Miranda def. Patricky Pitbull via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
JUST AS ADVERTISED FROM THE JUMP!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/k6RfmCtvCi— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
OMG! WHAT A WAY TO CLOSE OUT THE 2ND ROUND!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/jwGZIqzSGO— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Bruno Miranda is bringing the violence!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/xU2MOjKnC7— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Bruno Miranda gets the nod over the Legend Patricky Pitbull!
Miranda is officially eliminated from making the #PFLPlayoffs#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/V4j5KsCQMb— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Rob Wilkinson def. Josh Silveira via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Josh Silveira getting crafty!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/9CG8vmj1dB— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Submission attempt for Rob Wilkinson #PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/fE6b8NQZ9X— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Rob Wilkinson edges out Josh Silveira and is returning to the #PFLPlayoffs!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/Ib7PkFHtuq— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Simon Biyong via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
SPINNING BACK FIST!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/NPJH6oJib0— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov gets the nod and is heading to the #PFLPlayoffs!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/rXAegbkr2i— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Alex Polizzi def. Antonio Carlos Junior via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Clean right hand by Shoeface stuns Polizzi#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/R6ajChBlYk— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
Alex Polizzi gets the UD nod over Shoeface. Not enough to make the Playoffs, but he may have derailed Carlos Jr's chances of making the #PFLPlayoffs#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/iZ1gOltPhH— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024
PFL 5 Prelim Card Results and Highlights:
Brent Primus def. Solomon Renfro via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:21 of Round 3
Brent Primus is going to MIAMI! #PFLPlayoffs BOUND!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/g6cpLWa8py— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
Sadibou Sy def. Andrew Sanchez via TKO (strikes) at 4:02 of Round 3
Sadi wobbles Sanchez!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/ShL5ZLkDIB— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
THE REF STEPS IN! Sadibou Sy scores the TKO in round 3!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/lFhW3EOY7z— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
Espinoza jumps the gilly attempt but Gadzhi is able to get his head out and will end the 3rd round on top of Espinoza.
Judges decision up next#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/o8buq53pYK— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
Adam Piccolotti def. Michael Dufort via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-29)
Adam Piccolotti scores the split decision W over Mick Dufort! Dufort will have to wait out the rest of the night to clinch a #PFLPlayoffs spot #PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/eO8qZSkEwl— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
Sergio Cossio def. Anthony Romero via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cossio has been in control most of round 3 but Romero with the submission attempt! #PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/O0QQA4q8Q6— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024
Brahyan Zurcher def. Julian Ruiz via KO (left hook) at 1:26 of Round 2.
Zurcher puts his opponent on airplane mode! 🇲🇽
PUT HIM IN FOR 2025 PFL SEASON!#PFLRegularSeason LIVE NOW
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🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/DYMb9cFFzh— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 21, 2024