PFL 9 will take place in the English capital tomorrow. Taking place at the Copper Box Arena at the Olympic park. Many fans will be in attendance to watch the event. It will be headlined by Women’s MMA superstar Kayla Harrison who will take on Martina Jindrova.
Being in London quite a few fighters are fighting on home soil. Let’s take a closer look at the British contingent who will be looking to make their marks tomorrow.
Brendan Loughnane
A man who is one of the faces of PFL’s British expansion. He probably doesn’t need much of an introduction. The 24-4 32-year-old will be competing in the Featherweight semi-final.
Looking to make a statement on home turf and stamp his name into the final. It’s not been the easiest ride for Brendan this year. After a technical decision in his first bout vs Ryoji Kudo. Followed by a unanimous decision over Ago Huskić.
Now taking in Chris Wade in the semis. He will fight in the third fight on the main card. A well-rounded martial artist. He specialises in striking but his constant evolution has been seen as of late. Adding solid grappling to his already stellar striking.
Louie Sutherland
One of the many fighters making their PFL debuts. Louie Sutherland is a Scottish Heavyweight looking to start his PFL career with a win. Looking to move into PFL’s 2023 European league a win would guarantee his place.
4-0 the big Heavyweight has finished all of his wins via KO/TKO. Using his size to his advantage he is as dangerous as they come. Heavy-handed but not reckless he will be looking to put the lights out early.
His opponent on the night will be Abraham Bably. This moves us nicely onto our next fighter.
Abraham Bably
Yes, in an all-British affair Abraham Bably will take on Louie Sutherland. Bably will also make his PfL debut.
1-0 as a professional. He made the bulk of his MMA appearances as an amateur. 4-0 as an amateur he also won all by KO/TKO. A former BFC Amateur Heavyweight champion, he has pedigree in that department.
A Heavyweight banger between two big Brits.
Tayo Odunjo
Once again making his debut and looking to enter OFL Europe next year. Tayo Odunjo is a Welterweight prospect looking to show the world how good he is. Still young, his potential is clear to see.
4-1 as a professional he is currently riding a two-fight winning streak. Four wins with four finishes, three have come by KO/TKO. He also holds a submission win via arm triangle.
His opponent on the night will be, 2-0 Norwegian Magnus Onyeka Iversen.
Darius Mafi
Another debutant. 3-0 Bantamweight Darius Mafi has made a name for himself on the UK scene. Undefeated as both a pro and amateur his combined record sits at 7-0. All three of his professional bouts have ended via stoppage.
At 29, he’s soon to enter his physical prime for the sport and looks to make it count.
Not an easy test in his PFL debut he’ll take on Ali Taleb. The 7-0 Swede looks to upset the home crowd and move onto PFL Europe.
Dakota Ditcheva
Dakota Ditcheva is a star in the making. Making her PFL debut after being announced a few months ago. A former Muay Thai British and world champion, her MMA transition has been seamless.
5-0 as a professional he has finished her first four via KO/TKO. Using her stringing pedigree as a base to build on. She has added several other assets to her game to round her skill set. At only 24, she has plenty of room for growth.
Her opponent will be Hassna Gaber from Morocco. Being the first Women’s Flyweight bout in PFL
history it is a showcase for the division.
Simeon Powell
“Smooth” Simeon Powell looks to continue his PFL hype. 2-0 in the promotion his last win was special. A flying knee KO, the Light Heavyweight put his name on the map.
6-0 as a professional, PFL have a star on their hands with Simeon. A tremendous talent he has five finishes to his name. With four KO/TKO’s and a lone submission. One of the hottest talents in UK MMA he looks to deliver in front of a home crowd.
Taking on Powell will be João Paulo Fagundes. The 7-0 Brazilian will bring the best out of the Brit in a fight sure to deliver.
Stuart Austin
The big Heavyweight failed to make it to this year’s playoffs. A hard draw saw him face last year’s champion and this year’s finalist. Looking to bounce back he finds himself fighting in the UK for the first time since 2019.
15-8 he’s one of the more experienced Brits on the card. Of his 15 wins, 12 have been via stoppage. Boasting eight KO/TKO’s and four submissions.
France’s Sofiane Boukichou will be the puzzle on Stuart’s way Saturday. The 9-4 fighter looks to add his name to next year’s European league.
Raphael Uchegbu
Last but certainly not least it’s Raphael Uchegbu. Another top prospect in UK MMA. Raphael is a 6-0 Bantamweight. With six wins and five finishes he is as dangerous as they come.
An Almighty FC alumni, he looks to join PFL for good. A win will see him enter the European League next year. Fighting out of Team Kaobon he looks to become yet another representative at the highest level.
His opponent will be Zebenzui Ruiz who is 10-3 and hails from Spain. A great match-up, don’t blink when these two Bantamweights collide.
Which Brit will have the biggest performance at PFL 9.
Featured image credits to @PFLMMA on Twitter
