PFL 5: Round by Round Updates

What's up Fight Fam?

Tonight is PFL 5: High v Schulte at NYCB Live here in East Garden City, New York. I will be giving live round by round updates for the Main Card which consists of:

Main Card

• Jason High v Natan Schulte (Main Event)
• Vinny Magalhaes v Brandon Halsey (Co-Main)
• Will Brooks v Robert Watley
• Maxim Grishin v Rakim Cleveland
• Rashid Magomedov v Luiz Firmino

  • Undercard

    • Chris Wade v Yuki Kawana
    • Dan Spohn v Artur Alibulatov
    • Thiago Tavares v Arthur Estrazula

PFL is known for putting on great events so far and this one definitely won't disappoint!

Watch on Facebook starting at 7pm ET and the Main Card on NBC SN at 9pm ET

Undercard

• Thiago Tavares v Arthur Estrazulas: 

  • Tavares picks up a split-decision win 29-28/29-28/28-29. Tavares moves on with 1 point added to his total score.

• Dan Spohn v Artur Alibulatov:

  • Dan Spohn picks up the Unanimous Decision win after suffering a blow to the groin. Spohn was unable to continue, so they went to the judges scorecards which declared Spohn the winner.

• Chris wade v Yuki Kawana

  • Chris Wade finishes Yuki Kawana in the first via RNC. Wade advances with 6 points added to his score. He has clinched the playoffs.

Main Card

• Rashid Magomedov v Luiz Firmino

  • Round 1: Magomedov and Firmino meet in the center of the octagon. Firmino scores a takedown, but Magomedov reverse and ends up in guard. Magomedov finishes the round with strikes from the top. (10-9 Magomedov)
  • Round 2:  Firmino lands a nice leg kick but Magomedov respond with a beautiful question mark kick. Magomedov seems to be the more active fighter with his numerous amount of strikes. Nothing significant has landed as of yet. Firmino scores another takedown but Magomedov quickly gets back to his feet. Both men are now taking the center of the octagon and trading blows.  While Firmino landed the takedown, Magomedov's activity in this round I believe gives him the 10. (Magomedov 10-9)
  • Round 3: Both men come out swinging! Magomedov remains the crispier striker as he has seem to have found his range. Firmino shoots for a takedown but Magomedov evades. The men continue to trad blows. Beautful combo by Magomedov as he backs up Firmino. Luiz Firmino rushes in on Rashid Magomedov with an overhand and clinches Magomedov against the cage.The ref breaks it up due to inactivity. Both men take the center again and trade heavy blows. Magomedov finishes the round strong employing the jab. This should be a clear victory for the Dagestani. (Magomedov 10-9)
    • Result: Rashid Magomedov  defeats Luiz Firmino via UD (30-27/30-27/29-28)

• Maxim Grishin v Rakim Cleveland

  • Round 1:  The feeling out process begins. Grishin gets a takedown on Cleveland, but Cleveland turns it into a Guillotine. Both men return to the feet with Grishin eating a knee to the face. Cleveland accidentally strikes Grishin to the groin. Action resumes and Grishin is controlling the range with jabs and leg kicks. Cleveland bulls Grishin towards the cage and lands a barrage of hooks. Grishin makes it off the cage but is greeted by another small combo from Cleveland. The round ends with Grishin backing Cleveland up with strikes. Cleveland landed the heavier punches but Grishin landed more in total. (Grishin 10-9)
  • Round 2: Grishin comes out pushing the pace against Cleveland. Cleveland delivers two head kicks on Grishin and he some how shrugs them off. Grishin secures a takedown, but falls into a guillotine yet again. Grishin pops his head out and lands strikes from the top. Grishin takes Clevelands back and locks in the Rear Naked Choke. Cleveland taps!
    • Maxim Grishin defeats Rakim Cleveland  via submission (RNC) in 3:24 of the 2nd round. Grishin adds 5 points to his score for a total of 11 points.

• Will Brooks v Robert Watley

  • Round 1:  Brooks comes out in a stance similar to Stephen Thompson, but Watley clips Brooks. Watley presses forward but Brooks secures the take-down. Watley returns to his feet but is taken down yet again. Watley battles his way back to his feet using the cage to support him. Although Watley is pressed against the cage, Watley lands a big knee to Brooks head. Brooks is able to shrug it off and shoot for another take-down that is stuffed. Watley instead gets a takedown of his own and ends the round landing heavy shots on Brooks. (Brooks 10-9)

  • Round 2: Watley  comes out and clips Brooks yet again. Brooks is able to avoid the follow up and put Watley back on the cage. Brooks scoops Watley and scores a big takedown. Watley is quick to his feet but remains with his back against the cage.  Brooks sweeps Watley and takes his back. Brooks is attempting the rear naked choke but is unsuccessful. Brooks continues to land shot the Watley's head. Brooks yet again tries with RNC but the ever tough Watley fights it off and survives the round. (Brooks 10-9)

  • Round 3:  Brooks comes out and rushes Watley to the cage. Brooks throws Watley down again and takes his back. Watley defends well and gets back to his feet. Brooks eats some heavy strikes but is able to fend off the adversity. The round ends with both men shaking hands and showing respect. (Brooks 10-9)

    • Results: Will Brooks defeats Robert Watley via Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27). Brooks adds 6 points to his score for a total of 9 points.

• Vinny Magalhaes v brandon Halsey

  • Round 1: Halsey comes out and charges Magalhaes to the cage. Magalhaes creates distance and lands a head-kick that grazes the dome of Halsey. Halsey goes down! Magalhaes follows up with a flurry of strikes and puts Halsey away.

    • Results: Vinny Magalhaes  defeats Brandon Halsey via TKO in the first round. Magalhaes adds 6 points to his score for a total 12. Magalhaes is the top dog of his division at #1.

• Jason High v Natan Schulte 

  • Round 1:  Schulte comes out controlling the center, landing jabs and leg kicks. High manages to close the distance and hip-toss Schulte. Schilte returns to his feet and put High on his back.  High manages to scramble back to his feet and put Schulte on the cage. High manages to get the clinch and land a few good knees. Schulte breaks the clinch and kicks High's legs out from under him.  Schulte gets on top and begins to land strikes.  Both men get up, but Schulte snaps High back down, takes his back and sinks in the rear-naked choke. High goes to sleep!
    • Results: Natan Schulte  defeats Jason High via RNC in the first round. Schulte adds 6 points to his score for a total of 9 points.

Conclusion

PFL 5 delivered a phenomenal array of fights. Everyone that came out, came to fight. Who were you most excited about? Who surprised you?

Signing off Fight Fam!

-PC