Two reigning champions will be in action this Friday night when the PFL playoffs continue at the fifth event of 2023. Ante Delija takes on Maurice Greene and Larissa Pacheco battles Amber Leibrock live on ESPN from Atlanta.
PFL Predictions: Can Reigning Champions Move Forward?
Last week, Brendan Loughnane suffered a stunning loss in the main event, knocking the defending champion out of the playoffs. Will fellow reigning titleholders Ante Delija and Larissa Pacheco suffer the same fate?
PFL 5 takes place Friday night from the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, airing live on ESPN and streaming on ESPN+.
Delija takes on Maurice Greene in the main event in the heavyweight division, while Pacheco battles Amber Leibrock in the women’s featherweight ranks.
Rounding out the main card will be Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Travell Miller, Aspen Ladd vs. Karolina Sobek and Renan Ferreira vs. Matheus Scheffel.
Check out below for predictions for each main card bout scheduled for the night:
Ante Delija Vs. Maurice Greene
The defending champion has yet to compete, leaving him pointless as the playoffs approach. His opponent, Greene, earned a second round finish and has his eyes focused on the final four.
Prediction: Ante Delija via first round submission
Larissa Pacheco Vs. Amber Leibrock
Leibrock put herself in prime position to move on with a first round finisher earlier this year. Now, she gets a crack at the champion, Pacheco, who also scored a victory. Both could advance, meaning this could be the first of two meetings over a short period of time.
Prediction: Larissa Pacheco via decision
Biaggio Ali Walsh Vs. Travell Miller
This is not a tournament bout, but you just have to make sure and tune in and check out the hype around Ali Walsh. Yes, he is the fighting grandson of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, but the youngster is also carving out his own path.
Prediction: Biaggio Ali Walsh via first round TKO
Aspen Ladd Vs. Karolina Sobek
If Ladd wants to slip into the semifinals, she will need a big-time performance against Sobek. Her history shows that she is more than capable, and Ladd has been involved in these kind of situations before.
Prediction: Aspen Ladd via first round TKO
Renan Ferreira Vs. Matheus Scheffel
Both heavyweights are coming off losses earlier this year, meaning this is a do-or-die situation. Look for Ferreira to utilize his big-fight experience to claim the victory.
Prediction: Renan Ferreira via decision
