PFL 8 | 2022 Playoffs Full Card, Fight Preview

On the 13th August, the PFL touches down on UK soil for the very first time as Cardiff, Wales becomes the host city for PFL 8. The first of two dates overseas, both events will mark the start of the PFL’s expansion into new markets after they recently announced a commitment to a European series. With four semi-final match-ups headlining the event with a host of UK & Irish fighters filling the gaps in between the PFL regulars, it’s time for the promotion to make an impression in person. 

The card is split up into four prelim fights, the four semi-finals that make up the main card which are then followed by four European ‘Qualifiers’ featuring some new faces in the PFL. Whilst these European qualifiers will be a great chance for the competitors to turn heads in the promotion at the very first opportunity, this year’s semi-finals are the main draw. 

Whilst there are four fights that follow it, the real climax of the evening comes in the main event match up between Rory Macdonald and Magomed Umalatov. It’s safe to say that Macdonald has struggled to gather momentum since joining the PFL in 2021 and after losing his last fight to Sadibou Sy, his back is up against the wall. Umalatov, on the other hand, has hit the ground running in the PFL and made himself one to watch this season. With a perfect record of 12-0 and a first round finish under his belt in 2022, he will be looking to pick up the biggest name on his undefeated record when he meets the former Bellator champion and UFC title contender.

On the other side of the welterweight bracket, opening up the main card, Sweden’s Sadibou Sy and Brazil’s Carlos Leal step in on great form. With Sy holding a win over Macdonald and Leal beating last season’s winner Ray Cooper III last time out, the winner will be closely watching the main event ahead of the tournament final. The other half of the semi-final match-ups take place in the heavyweight division. With last season’s winner Bruno Cappelozza already out of the tournament, Denis Goltsov, Matheus Scheffel, Ante Delija or Renan Ferreira will be crowned champion at the end of this season. 

PFL 8 Full Card

Post Main Card European Qualifiers:

Will Fleury vs Anthony Salamone

Nathan Kelly vs Ben Ellis

Vojto Barborík vs Maxim Radu

Francesco Nuzzi vs Moktar Benkaci

Main card

Rory MacDonald vs Magomed Umalatov

Ante Delija vs Renan Ferreira

Denis Goltsov vs Matheus Scheffel

Sadibou Sy vs Carlos Leal

Preliminary Card

Josh O’Connor vs Emran Sakhizaada

Mohammad Fakhreddine vs Marcin Wójcik

Chris Mixan vs Christian Stigenberg

Szymon Bajor vs Hatef Moeil