BAD MMA - The origins of combat™ » 2021 pfl playoffs 1

Rory MacDonald issues statement after getting eliminated from PFL playoffs

BAD MMA News — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:38:26 +0000

Although he’s enduring the roughest stretch of his career, Rory MacDonald plans on bouncing back stronger. MacDonald (22-7-1), a former UFC title challenger and Bellator welterweight champion, was hoping to add another title to his resume when he signed with the PFL for the 2021 season. But the “Red King’s” journey came to an end when he was dominated by reigning champion Ray Cooper III in the semifinals at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 earlier this month. MacDonald took to Instagram to issue a statement, citing the time away from his family as one of the major factors that impacted his performance. “Happy to be home with my family after spending 6 weeks apart

Spinning Back Clique: Sean O’Malley’s career strategy, Paige VanZant’s revelation, Rory MacDonald’s future, more

BAD MMA News — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 14:43:39 +0000

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week, our panel discusses A.J. McKee’s title win at Bellator 263 and if that makes him the best featherweight in the world. Plus, they dive into MMA fighter pay in the aftermath of Cheyanne Buys’ UFC on ESPN 28 win and subsequent viral revelation; Sean Strickland’s post-fight speech; Bellator and UFC breakout performances; and upcoming heavyweight potential fights. Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel this week of Matthew Wells, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia discusses these topics and more with host John Morgan.

View post:

Spinning Back Clique: Sean O’Malley’s career strategy, Paige VanZant’s revelation, Rory MacDonald’s future, more – MMA Junkie

MMA Junkie Radio #3184: Bellator 264 and 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 recap

BAD MMA News — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 16:33:34 +0000

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here. On Episode 3,184, the guys recap this past weekend’s Bellator 264 and 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 events. They also address comments by Paige VanZant, Jake Paul and Sean O’Malley, among others. Tune in! Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio . You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , Stitcher , and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

More here:

MMA Junkie Radio #3184: Bellator 264 and 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 recap – MMA Junkie

From cleaning offices at night to fighting for $1 million, Raush Manfio reflects on his special 2021 PFL playoff run

BAD MMA News — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 01:21:16 +0000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Raush Manfio is one fight away from winning $1 million after defeating Clay Collard in the semifinals at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 on Friday. Although his unanimous decision victory over Collard was controversial, Manfio (14-3 MMA, 3-0 PFL) continues on to the finals to face Loik Radzhabov for a chance at a huge payday. Not bad for a fighter who struggled to find fights on the regional scene and started this PFL season as an alternate. “When I pray tonight, I have a lot of stuff to be thankful (for),” Manfio told MMA Junkie. “The last three years before I stepped in the PFL, I was trying to schedule fights and no one would fight me in the other small leagues and I was going to quit my career.” Fellow lightweight competitor Olivier Aubin-Mercier was injured in April and had to pull out of his scheduled bout against Joilton Lutterbach.

Here is the original post:

From cleaning offices at night to fighting for $1 million, Raush Manfio reflects on his special 2021 PFL playoff run – MMA Junkie

Despite feeling pressure from the grueling PFL schedule, Loik Radzhabov ready to win finals for his fans

BAD MMA News — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 21:38:59 +0000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Loik Radzhabov has punched his ticket to the lightweight finals after defeating Alex Martinez via unanimous decision in the semifinals at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 . Radzhabov’s first opponent in his opening bout of the regular season in April was Martinez, a fight that he lost by split decision. For a moment, Radzhabov thought he could be in for a similar situation after the conclusion of their rematch on Friday, but the judges unanimously sided with him as the winner. After three fights in a span of four months, the hectic schedule of the PFL season is something that Radzhabov wishes were a little different, to allow more time for rest and recovery. “It’s quite demanding,” Radzhabov told MMA Junkie through a translator.

Go here to read the rest:

Despite feeling pressure from the grueling PFL schedule, Loik Radzhabov ready to win finals for his fans – MMA Junkie

Magomed Magomedkerimov happy he gets Ray Cooper III rematch in PFL welterweight final

BAD MMA News — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 20:28:56 +0000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – For the second time in three seasons, Magomed Magomedkerimov will fight Ray Cooper III in the PFL welterweight final. Their rematch was set Friday night after Cooper, the reigning 2019 PFL welterweight champion, won a lopsided unanimous decision against former Bellator champ and UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald in the main event of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1. Just before that in the co-main event, Magomedkerimov took care of business with his own lopsided unanimous decision win over Sadibou Sy. Magomedkerimov (29-5) and Cooper (23-7-1) previously met in the 2018 PFL welterweight final, with Magomedkerimov winning by second-round submission to claim the title and $1 million prize.

Read the original here:

Magomed Magomedkerimov happy he gets Ray Cooper III rematch in PFL welterweight final – MMA Junkie

Ray Cooper III expected to dominate Rory MacDonald, turns focus to PFL finals rematch vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov

BAD MMA News — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 15:50:38 +0000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – The MMA community may have been surprised at the outcome of Friday’s 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 main event, but Ray Cooper III was not. Cooper (23-7-1 MMA, 10-2-1 PFL) was matched up against Rory MacDonald in what promised to be a tough fight for both welterweight competitors who hoped to punch their ticket to the PFL finals to face Magomed Magomedkerimov . However, at the conclusion of the fight, there was no doubt that Cooper did enough to win the fight, in fact, the only question was if a judge gave MacDonald a single round

Continue reading here:

Ray Cooper III expected to dominate Rory MacDonald, turns focus to PFL finals rematch vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov – MMA Junkie

‘That sh*t sucks’: Clay Collard reacts to controversial decision loss to Raush Manfio at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1

BAD MMA News — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 13:08:25 +0000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – On Friday’s main card of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 , Clay Collard faced Raush Manfio in what turned out to be an intense 15-minute back-and-forth battle. The three decision-makers sitting cageside are either be your best friend or your worst enemy after a close fight. Unfortunately for Collard, the judges’ scorecards were not in his favor, despite the commentary team, and of course, Collard himself, believing otherwise. “I mean, what do you want me to say

See the original post here:

‘That sh*t sucks’: Clay Collard reacts to controversial decision loss to Raush Manfio at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 – MMA Junkie

Ray Cooper III def. Rory MacDonald at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1: Best Photos

BAD MMA News — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 07:07:41 +0000

Check out the best photos from the 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 semifinals matchup between Ray Cooper III and Rory MacDonald. (Photos courtesy of Cooper Neill/PFL) Gallery Photos: Best of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1 view 34 images

View post:

Ray Cooper III def. Rory MacDonald at 2021 PFL Playoffs 1: Best Photos – MMA Junkie

2021 PFL Playoffs results: Ray Cooper III dominates Rory MacDonald in lopsided decision

BAD MMA News — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 04:59:04 +0000

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Ray Cooper III shocked the MMA world on Friday night. The 2019 PFL lightweight champion dominated former Bellator champion and long-time UFC contender Rory MacDonald in the main event of 2021 PFL Playoffs 1. Cooper III (22-7-1) officially defeated MacDonald (22-7-1) via unanimous decision, winning 30-27 on all three judges’ scorecards. Cooper III now advances to the 2021 PFL lightweight final.

See the original post:

2021 PFL Playoffs results: Ray Cooper III dominates Rory MacDonald in lopsided decision – MMA Junkie