B. Cappelozza (left) and M. Buffa (right) head the PFL 2022 #5. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage
The moment that many have been waiting for has arrived. This Friday (24), in Atlanta (USA), the penultimate stage of the regular season of the PFL 2022. At the event, fans will watch the quarter-finals that will take the first placed teams to the knockout stage in the heavyweight (up to 120,2kg) and featherweight (up to 65,7kg) categories. The show features two Brazilian duels.
Crowned last year, Bruno Cappelozza tries to maintain its unbeaten record in the organization and wants a second championship. In the next challenge, the Brazilian will face compatriot Matheus Buffa in the main fight.
Also in the second half of the event, another green-yellow clash. In a great moment in the company, Renan Problem seeks to maintain 100% success rate this season and faces the former UFC Klidson Abreu, who also won in the last challenge.
With his eye on another place in the next phase of the featherweight championship, Reinaldo Ekson needs to shine and hope for Sheymon Moraes' stumbles, Chris Wade and Alejandro Flores. Called up at the last minute for the tournament, the Brazilian has to try, at all costs, to get the six points, to dream of the knockout stage.
On the preliminary card, Sheymon Moraes tries to win the unprecedented featherweight title (up to 65,7kg). To advance to the knockout stage, the Brazilian will have to overcome Lance Palmer, champion of the tournament in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
Cappelozza x Buffa
With six points won in their first challenge, Bruno Cappelozza is tied with Renan Problem and Denis Goltsov. Without a guaranteed place in the next phase, Tupiniquim needs to put on a new show to avoid the risk of being left out of the knockout stage.
A newcomer to the organization, Matheus Buffa was unsuccessful in his first appointment with the company's gloves. Against Bruno, the athlete will have the opportunity to score a maximum of six points and draw with his compatriot. To do this, the fighter has to knock out or submit in the first round.
The clash between Cappelozza and Matheus marks the meeting of two knockout artists. While the current heavyweight champion has 14 results in the fast lane, his rival has 11, totaling 25 in total.
Problem x Abreu
Indigestible opponent for Fabricio Werdum in 2021, Renan Problem, narrowly missed out on the knockout stages last season. In 2022, however, the fighter is on track to fulfill his dream of competing for the heavyweight title.
In the first challenge of the year, Renan massacred. It took just 25 seconds for the Brazilian to annihilate Jamelle Jones and score six points (three for the victory and three for the outcome in the first round).
Willing to stop the rise of Problem in the company, Klidson Abreu has a chance of qualifying. The former UFC representative triumphed in the first challenge of the tournament, beating Adam Keresh on points and adding three points. If he knocks out or submits Renan in the first round, the Amazonian can advance to the next stage, adding nine points.
Sheymon Moraes x Lance Palmer
After coming close to reaching the knockout stages in 2021, Sheymon Moraes tries to nullify the chances of, once again, being left out of the next stage. Tied with Chris Wade, Bubba Jenkins and Alejandro Flores at the top of the table, with three points, the Rio de Janeiro native needs to shine against the two-time tournament champion (2018 and 2019), Lance Palmer.
Former owner of the belt, Palmer is not experiencing the best phase of his career. Responsible for taking away Tupiniquim's unbeaten record in the 2022 season, the North American also needs to put an end to a sequence of three negative results. The former champion's last victory came in December 2019, when he overcame Alex Gilpin and won his second title in a row.
PFL 5 2022 technical sheet
Data: June 24, 2022
Timetable: From 19pm (Brasília time)
Location: Overtime Elite Arena, Atlanta, United States
How to watch: SUPER FIGHTS LIVE in real time and DirecTV Go (entire card) on TV
MAIN CARD (21 p.m. Brasília time)
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Bruno Cappelozza x Matheus Buffa
Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Athony Pettis x Stevie Ray
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Renan Problem x Klidson Abreu
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Chris Wade x Kyle Bochniak
Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Before Delija x Shelton Graves
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Bubba Jenkins x Reinaldo Ekson
Heavyweight (up to 120,2kg): Denis Goltsov x Maurice Greene
PRELIMINARY CARD (19 p.m. Brasília time)
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Lance Palmer x Sheymon Moraes
Heavyweight (up to 120,2kg): Sam Kei x Juan Adams
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Alejandro Flores x Ryoji Kudo
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Brendan Loughnane x August Huskic
You need login To comment.