2021 in Professional Fighters League#2021 PFL Lightweight playoffs

A fighter who is overweight on the scale at weigh-ins will be deducted one point in the standings in the PFL's season structure. In previous seasons, a fighter who missed weight could not earn any points even in a victory, but no standings points were actually taken away until now.

In 2021, the top four fighters per division after the regular season will make the playoffs, a number down from the eight who made the playoffs in men's divisions in previous seasons. The women's lightweight division will have the top four make the playoffs the way it did in 2019, the PFL's most recent season. The four athletes making the playoffs will advance directly to the semifinals in each division. There will be no quarterfinals, nor a situation where a fighter must win twice in a single night.{{cite web |last1=Raimondi |first1=Marc |title=PFL makes rule changes ahead of 2021 season |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31177642/pfl-makes-rule-format-changes-ahead-2021-season |website=ESPN.com |access-date=1 April 2021 |language=en |date=1 April 2021}}

The first event of the 2021 PFL season will kick off on April 23, 2021. The prelims were broadcast on ESPN+, while the main card was broadcast on ESPN2.{{cite web |last1=Simon |first1=Zane |title=PFL announces 2021 season debut for April 23 on ESPN 2 |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2021/2/2/22262827/professional-fighters-league-pfl-2021-first-event-anthony-pettis-debut-mma-news |website=bloodyelbow.com |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021}} All of the regular season events were held in the Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Ocean Casino Resort in a “bubble environment”. All fighters will undergo a 17-day quarantine period, as a precaution for COVID-19.{{cite web |last1=MMA Fighting Newswire |title=PFL announces Atlantic City venue for 2021 regular season events, 'bubble environment' quarantine protocol |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/4/22313412/pfl-announces-atlantic-city-venue-2021-regular-season-events-bubble-environment-quarantine-protocol |website=mmafighting.com |date=4 March 2021 |access-date=5 March 2021}}

The trio of events constituting the season playoffs will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Hollywood, Florida.{{cite web |last1=Fontana |first1=Scott |title=PFL playoffs slated for August in Florida casino |url=https://nypost.com/2021/06/08/pfl-playoffs-slated-for-august-in-hollywood-fla/ |website=nypost.com |date=8 June 2021 |access-date=18 June 2021}}

The PFL points system is based on results of the match. The winner of a fight receives 3 points. If the fight ends in a draw, both fighters will receive 1 point. A no-contest will be scored as a draw. The bonus for winning a fight in the first, second, or third round is 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point respectively. The bonus for winning in the third round requires a fight be stopped before 4:59 of the third round. No bonus point will be awarded if a fighter wins via decision. For example, if a fighter wins a fight in the first round, then the fighter will receive 6 total points. A decision win will result in three total points. If a fighter misses weight, the opponent (should they comply with weight limits) will receive 3 points due to a walkover victory, regardless of winning or losing the bout, with the fighter who missed weight being deducted 1 standings point; if the non-offending fighter subsequently wins with a stoppage, all bonus points will be awarded. A fighter who was unable to compete for any reason, will receive a 1-point

penalty (-1 point in the standings). The fighters who made weight will not receive a walkover, but will earn points and contracted purse amounts based on their performance in the altered matchup.{{Cite web|title=2021 Official Rules|url=https://pflmma-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/downloads/2021_Rules_and_Regulations_4-26-2021.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507024409/https://pflmma-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/downloads/2021_Rules_and_Regulations_4-26-2021.pdf |archive-date=2021-05-07 }}

The heavyweight roster included the current PFL Heavyweight champion Ali Isaev, the former UFC Heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum, the former Jungle Fight champion Bruno Cappelozza, former ACB champion Denis Goltsov, M-1 Global title challenger Ante Delija, UFC veteran Justin Willis, Renan Ferreira, Hatef Moeil, Brandon Sayles and Mohammed Usman.{{cite web |last1=Holland |first1=Jesse |title=PFL announces heavyweight, women's lightweight rosters for 2021 season feat. Fabricio Werdum, Kayla Harrison |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2021/2/9/22274776/pfl-announces-heavyweight-womens-lightweight-rosters-2021-season-fabricio-werdum-kayla-harrison-mma |website=mmamania.com |date=9 February 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021}}

The first nine light heavyweights announced for the 2021 season were the 2019 PFL champion Emiliano Sordi, the former UFC and Glory fighter Chris Camozzi, UFC veterans Cezar Ferreira, Jordan Johnson, Daniel Spohn and Tom Lawlor, Marthin Hamlet, Smealinho Rama and Jordan Young. Nick Roehrick was later added to the roster, while the former UFC middleweight Antônio Carlos Júnior joined the roster on March 6, 2021.{{cite web |last1=Raimondi |first1=Marc |title=PFL signs UFC veteran Antonio Carlos Junior for 2021 season |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/31016737/pfl-signs-ufc-veteran-antonio-carlos-junior-2021-season |website=espn.com |date=6 March 2021 |access-date=7 March 2021}} PFL announced that Antônio Carlos Júnior will replace Jordan Johnson for the whole season.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=John |title=Antonio Carlos Junior signs with PFL, debuts against Tom Lawlor |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/antonio-carlos-junior-signs-with-pfl-debut-against-tom-lawlor |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |date=6 March 2021 |access-date=7 April 2021}} At the beginning of April, Smealinho Rama was replaced by Vinny Magalhães for the whole season.{{cite web |title=PFL MMA |url=https://twitter.com/ProFightLeague/status/1377691821283934209 |website=twitter.com |access-date=7 April 2021}} At weigh-ins of PFL 2, Vinny had to be taken to the hospital due to complications of his weight cut and was replaced by Askar Mozharov.{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=2021-04-28|title=Vinny Magalhaes out of PFL 2 after being taken to hospital, Askar Mozharov stepping in as replacement|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/4/28/22408287/vinny-magalhaes-out-of-pfl-2-after-being-taken-to-hospital-askar-mozharov-stepping-in-as-replacement|access-date=2021-04-28|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}}

The first seven welterweights announced for the 2021 season were the 2019 PFL champion Ray Cooper III, former Bellator champion Rory MacDonald, PFL veteran Magomed Magomedkerimov, UFC veterans David Michaud and João Zeferino, Nikolai Aleksakhin and Sadibou Sy.{{cite web |last1=MMAWeekly.com Staff |title=PFL unveils 2021 welterweight and light heavyweight rosters |url=https://www.mmaweekly.com/pfl-unveils-2021-welterweight-and-light-heavyweight-rosters |website=mmaweekly.com |date=4 February 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021}} Alexey Kunchenko was additionally announced for the 2021 season.{{cite web |last1=Hannoun |first1=Farah |title=Ex-UFC fighter Alexey Kunchenko inks deal with PFL, joins 2021 welterweight season |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ex-ufc-fighter-alexey-kunchenko-inks-deal-with-pfl-joins-2021-welterweight-season |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |date=19 February 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021}} Jason Ponet and former UFC Lightweight Gleison Tibau were later added on. After revealing a heart condition, David Michaud had to back out of the season and was replaced by Curtis Millender.{{cite web |title=Curtis Millender steps in to fight Rory MacDonald at PFL 2021, Week 2 on April 29 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/pfl-2-curtis-millender-to-fight-rory-macdonald-replaces-david-michaud |website=MMA Junkie |access-date=9 April 2021 |date=9 April 2021}}

Sy replaced Zeferino because of an injury before the PFL semifinals.

The 2021 Lightweight roster included the two-time PFL Lightweight champion Natan Schulte, former UFC Lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, UFC veterans Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Clay Collard, Marcin Held and Johnny Case, as well as Akhmed Aliev, Joilton Lutterbach, Mikhail Odintsov and Loik Radzhabov.{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Damon |title=PFL announces lightweight and featherweight rosters along with regular season schedule for 2021 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/2/2/22261498/pfl-announces-lightweight-and-featherweight-rosters-along-with-regular-season-schedule-for-2021 |website=mmafighting.com |date=2 February 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021}} On April 7, 2021, Alexander Martinez replaced Johnny Case in the lightweight roster, after Case was charged with domestic battery.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Alexander K. |title=Alex Martinez replaces Johnny Case at PFL 1, Case releases statement |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/4/6/22370257/alex-martinez-replaces-johnny-case-at-pfl-1 |website=mmafighting.com |date=6 April 2021 |access-date=7 April 2021}}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Round 1 (PFL 1)}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Alexander Martinez

|def.

|Loik Radzhabov

|Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)

|3

|5:00

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Akhmet Aliev

|def.

|Mikhail Odintsov

|Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Raush Manfio

|def.

|Joilton Lutterbach

|Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Marcin Held

|def.

|Natan Schulte

|Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Clay Collard

|def.

|Anthony Pettis

|Decision (unanimous) (29-27, 29-27, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

}}

{{MMAevent card|Round 2 (PFL 4 & PFL 6)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Loik Radzhabov

|def.

|Akhmet Aliev

|TKO (punches)

|1

|0:27

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Olivier Aubin-Mercier

|def.

|Marcin Held

|Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Natan Schulte

|def.

|Alexander Martinez

|Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Clay Collard

|def.

|Joilton Lutterbach

|Decision (split) (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Raush Manfio

|def.

|Anthony Pettis

|Decision (split) (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Semifinals (PFL 7)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Loik Radzhabov

|def.

|Alexander Martinez

|Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Raush Manfio

|def.

|Clay Collard

|Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Final (PFL 10)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Raush Manfio

|def.

|Loik Radzhabov

|Decision (unanimous) (48-46, 48-46, 49-46)

|5

|5:00

|For the 2021 PFL Lightweight Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent card|Non-tournament bouts|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Christian Lohsen

|def.

|Jonas Flok

|Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Brandon Jenkins

|def.

|Jacob Kilburn

|KO (flying knee)

|1

|2:56

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Don Madge

|def.

|Nathan Williams

|Submission (rear-naked choke)

|2

|2:15

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes = yes}}

The women's 2021 roster included the 2019 PFL champion Kayla Harrison, Cindy Dandois, Genah Fabian, Olena Kolesnyk, Mariana Morais, Larissa Pacheco, Julija Pajic and Laura Sanchez. Kaitlin Young and Taylor Guardado rounded out the roster.

Pacheco was eliminated at the semifinals when she was two pounds over the lightweight limit.{{cite web | url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/8/18/22631285/larissa-pacheco-out-of-pfl-playoffs-after-missing-weight-mariana-morais-fight-taylor-guardado-pfl-8 | title=Larissa Pacheco out of PFL playoffs after missing weight, Mariana Morais to fight Taylor Guardado at PFL 8 | date=18 August 2021 }}

Eight fighters were initially announced for the 2021 season. The two-time PFL champion Lance Palmer, UFC veteran Sheymon Moraes, Bellator veteran Bubba Jenkins, Tyler Diamond, Sung Bin Jo, Movlid Khaybulaev, Brendan Loughnane and Jason Soares. Chris Wade, who previously competed in the PFL Lightweight division, was added to the featherweight roster. Anthony Dizy was later added as well.{{cite web |last1=Pettry |first1=Jay |title=PFL Completes 60-Fighter Roster for 2021 Season Including Gleison Tibau, Kaitlin Young |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/PFL-Completes-60Fighter-Roster-for-2021-Season-Including-Gleison-Tibau-Kaitlin-Young-177890 |website=sherdog.com |access-date=26 February 2021}} Jason Soares was not medically cleared, hence he was replaced by Lazar Stojadinovic.{{cite web |title=Curtis Millender Joins PFL 2021 Tournament, Faces Rory MacDonald on April 29 |url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Curtis-Millender-Joins-PFL-2021-Tournament-Faces-Rory-MacDonald-on-April-29-178679 |website=Sherdog |access-date=9 April 2021}}

• List of PFL events
• List of current PFL fighters
• 2021 in UFC
• 2021 in Bellator MMA
• 2021 in ONE Championship
• 2021 in Absolute Championship Akhmat
• 2021 in Rizin Fighting Federation
• 2021 in Legacy Fighting Alliance

{{Reflist}}

{{World Series of Fighting Events}}

{{WSOF Title Holders}}

{{2021 in mixed martial arts}}

2021

Category:2021 in mixed martial arts