We are inching closer and closer to the start of the 2023 PFL semifinals, with the light heavyweight division taking centerstage at PFL 7. Four fighters will compete for two spots in the $1 million finale to be held later this year.
PFL 7: Previewing The Light Heavyweight Semifinals
Along with the featherweight semifinals, PFL 7 will also feature the light heavyweight final four.
Set from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, the main card airs live on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.
Up first will be a matchup pitting Marthin Hamlet against Impa Kasangany, while the co-main event for the night sees Josh Silveira face off against Ty Flores.
Here is a closer look at those two matchups.
Josh Silveira Vs. Ty Flores
Back in early June, Josh Silveira secured himself the overall No. 1 seed in the light heavyweight division. He scored his second first round finish of the season when Delan Monte could no longer continue their bout.
Silveira, who has won four of his last five fights overall, also stopped Sam Kei back in April when he locked in a rear-naked choke. His only loss to date came at the hands of Omari Akhmedov last year via decision.
His opponent, Ty Flores, earned his spot in the final four with a decision vs. Dan Spohn, running his win streak to four in a row. Flores also downed Monte this year, earning a decision in his debut with the promotion.
Flores did just enough to hold off Andrew Sanchez in the season-long points race, winning two matches while finishing tied with Sanchez with three points each.
Marthin Hamlet Vs. Impa Kasanganay
Coming in as the No. 2 seed, Marthin Hamlet has racked up three consecutive wins since a loss to Josh Silveira. He would be able to avenge that defeat with a victory and a win by Silveira, as well.
Hamlet downed Sam Kei via decision at PFL 4 after earning a first round submission with a face-crank against Mohammad Fakhreddine. Overall, he owns a 12-4 record, with one of his other defeats coming in the 2021 PFL season to Antonio Carlos Junior.
Standing in the way of Hamlet reaching the finals will be Impa Kasanganay, who already owns three victories in 2023. He mad ehis light heavyweight debut on the PFL Challenger Series in March, finishing Osama Elseady.
In April, Kasanganay topped Cory Hendricks before finishing Tim Caron with an arm-triangle choke for his 13th career win. Prior to joining the PFL, Kasanganay went 2-2 with the UFC and won two fights on Dana White’s Contender Series.
