The third and final playoff event of the PFL 2023 season took place Wednesday night, airing live on ESPN and ESPN+. PFL 9 went down from inside The Theater at Madison Square Garden with Clay Collard and Shane Burgos putting on a classic.
PFL 9 Results: Final Two Championship Matches Now Set
For the third and final time this month, the PFL playoffs aired live on ESPN and ESPN+. PFL 9 took place Wednesday night from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
In the main event, Clay Collard scored a decision victory over Shane Burgos to advance to his first finals. Collard will now take on reigning lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier later this year for the belt and $1 million.
The welterweight finals were also set, as Magomed Magomedkerimov meets defending champion Sadibou Sy after both were victorious.
“The 2023 PFL Playoffs featured can’t miss action from San Antonio and New York City, and the stage is set for the Richest Night in MMA, The PFL World Championship,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “On November 24, live from our nation’s capital, Washington D.C., MMA fans will see 12 fighters across six weight divisions compete to become PFL World Champions and the $1 million prize which comes with it.”
Collard and Burgos put on a three-round battle that went to the distance, while Aubin-Mercier downed Bruno Miranda with a second round TKO to advance.
Sy scored his second straight trip to the finals with a decision over Carlos Lea, while Magomedkerimov topped Solomon Renfro by decision.
“Tonight’s event brought the 2023 PFL Playoffs to a fitting close with four fighters showcasing grit and determination to move on to the biggest night in MMA, The PFL World Championship,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo. “Congratulations to all the fighters who advanced to the 2023 PFL World Championship and we look forward to a fantastic season finale this November.”
Biaggio Ali Walsh, the grandson of Muhammad Ali, opened the main card with his fifth straight stoppage win. The lightweight downed Ed Davis in the second round by strikes.
PFL 9 Results
#1 Clay Collard defeats #4 Shane Burgos by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#2 Olivier Aubin-Mercier defeats #3 Bruno Miranda by 2nd Round TKO (punches, 4:41)
#3 Sadibou Sy defeats #2 Carlos Leal by Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
#1 Magomed Magomedkerimov defeats #5 Solomon Renfro by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Biaggio Ali Walsh defeats Ed Davis by 2nd Round TKO (punches, 2:23)
Alexei Pergande defeats Shawn Stefanelli by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mostafa Rashed Nada defeats Korey Kuppe by 1st Round TKO (strikes, 1:55)
Michelle Montague defeats Abigail Montes by 2nd Round Submission (rear naked choke, 3:38)
Abdullah Al-Qahtani defeats David Zelner by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-25)
John Caldone defeats Nathaniel Grimard by 1st Round TKO (strikes, 2:32)
