PFL 2023 Best moments: 10 times PFL fighters stunned the world inside the cage

The Professional Fighters League revolutionized the mixed martial arts scene in 2023. The PFL significantly expanded its global presence and reshaped the industry. The US-based promotion distinguished itself through strategic signings and business strategies.

The addition of Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul has also contributed to their popularity. Moreover, Many PFL fighters had groundbreaking moments with the PFL, making them a household name. Furthermore, some of these fighters were former fighters in the UFC.

Reflecting on the PFL fighter’s defining moments in the present calendar year, here are the top 10 PFL fighters that stunned the world in 2023.

10. Derek Brunson dominates Ray Cooper III on PFL debut after UFC departure

Derek Brunson is one of the best fighters in the UFC who never got to fight for the title. After a career in the UFC, where he went 14-7, Bruson called it quits with the promotion amicably. However, he announced his PFL debut on style at PFL 10 2023.

Brunson was on a two-fight losing streak in the UFC before his departure. Both the losses, against Dricus Du Plessis and Jared Cannonier, showed a deficiency in his cardio. However, on his PFL debut against Ray Cooper III, Brunson dominated the former PFL champion through three rounds. Moreover, he showed good cardio and hinted at his interest in fighting for the title in the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions of the PFL.

9. Dakota Ditcheva wins PFL Europe Women’s Flyweight Tournament; 100% finishes in PFL

Dakota Ditcheva won the women’s flyweight tournament of the PFL Europe’s 2023 season. A TKO victory over Valentina Scatizzi kept her undefeated record and 100 percent finish rate in the PFL intact. Moreover, Ditcheva is the daughter of acclaimed Kickboxer Lisa Howarth.

Ditcheva became a favorite due to her noted beauty and also her support for Manchester City Football Club. Her weigh-ins at the PFL Europe 3 went viral. However, her fighting style was the reason for her popularity. She is 5-0 in the PFL with 4 KO/TKO and one submission.

8. Jesus Pineda wins $1 Million in style at PFL 10 2023; 1-1 in the UFC

Jesus Pineda had an okay run in the UFC. He went 1-1 with the promotion, both short-notice fights that ended in decisions. Unfortunately, his rift with Jason House of Iridium Sports Agency caused his departure from the UFC. Before signing with the PFL, he fought in local promotions in Brazil and Peru.

However, on his debut in the PFL, he lost to Gabriel Alves Braga via split decision. He exacted revenge on Braga in the featherweight tournament finals with a TKO victory. Moreover, he also finished the other two fights he fought in the PFL after the split decision loss. Pineda’s victory epitomized the rags-to-riches story.

7. Monster heavyweight Renan Ferreira wins $1 Million PFL Tournament

Renan Ferreira stands 6 ft 8 inches tall with an 88-inch reach. The Brazilian fighter knocked out Denis Goltsov in the second round to claim the $1 Million price. His previous two victories were also knockouts in the first round.

Before that, he was on a three-fight, winless streak, including a TKO loss between two No-Contests. With Francis Ngannou in the PFL, the prospect of Ngannou facing a giant in Ferreira can sell tickets. Moreover, the three finishes have already made a statement.

6. Magomed Magomedkerimov submits Sadibou Sy to become two-time PFL champion

Magomed Magomedkerimov won the 2018 PFL Welterweight Tournament but lost the 2021 tournament to Ray Cooper III, his only PFL loss. Magomedkerimov missed out on the playoffs of the 2022 season, which Sadibou Sy won.

In the finals of the 2023 season, Magomedkerimov submitted Sy with a guillotine choke in the third round after two close rounds. The finish was reminiscent of the finish that won him the 2018 tournament. The performance has gotten the attention of fans. They are excited to watch him perform against Jason Jackson Jr.

5. Biaggio Ali Walsh lands a faceplant KO at PFL 10; won all fights by finishes in the PFL

Biaggio Ali Walsh has not turned professional yet. However, his performances in the amateur bouts in PFL made fans take note of his name. The grandson of Muhammad Ali finished all of his five opponents in the PFL.

Nevertheless, it was his finish of Joel Galarza Lopez with vicious hooks. He faceplanted Lopez, which made fans eager for his debut in the professional MMA circuit. Post-victory, he announced plans of turning professional which will be good business for the PFL due to name value.

4. Larissa Pacheco dominated Marina Mokhnatkina to become the first two-division PFL champion

Larissa Pachecho made headlines in 2022 with a victory over then-undefeated Kayla Harrison to win the 2022 PFL Women’s Lightweight Tournament. Pacheco already made headlines then also due to her 0-2 stint in the UFC.

Currently, she is one of the best featherweight fighters in the world. Fight Matrix ranks her as the 2nd best female featherweight in the world behind Cris Cyborg. Her victory over Marina Mokhnatkina was a statement victory, and big fights with Cris Cyborg and a rematch with Kayla Harrison remain on the horizon for the Brazilian.

3. Sadibou Sy’s highlight reel KO of Shane Mitchell

Sadibou Sy is the 2022 PFL Welterweight Tournament winner. He announced his entry into the playoffs of the 2023 PFL Welterweight Tournament with a spinning wheel kick finish by Shana Mitchell.

The walk-off KO made Sy a household name. It also went viral on social media. However, Sy would lose in the finals to former foe Magomed Magomedkerimov. Nevertheless, Sy, who trains at Extreme Couture, arguably won the knockout of the year with the wheel kick KO.

2. Cedric Doumbe debuted at PFL with a 9-second vicious KO

Two-time Glory Kickboxing welterweight champion Cedric Doumbe debuted at PFL Europe 3 with a devastating knockout of Jordan Zebo. Doumbe was one of the main reasons for the popularity of PFL Europe. His left hook finish of Zebo erupted Zenith Paris.

The PFL with Ngannou and Doumbe have powerful punchers in their respective divisions. The UFC first signed Doumbe. However, he could not debut in the PFL, and the UFC released him. That proved a costly mistake as Doumbe made waves in the European MMA scene.

1. Impa Kasanganay’s feel-good story to becoming PFL champion

Impa Kasanganay was at the wrong end of a viral knockout in the UFC at the hands of Joaquin Buckley. Buckley’s spinning back kick on Kasangany won the 2021 World MMA Awards award. He went 2-2 in the UFC and even twice appeared on the Dana White Contender Series.

Moreover, Kasanganay had little money after his release from the UFC. He entered the 2023 PFL light heavyweight tournament after a TKO victory in the PFL Challenger Series. In the finals of the tournament, he dominated Josh Silviera to a unanimous decision victory. Moreover, the $1 million prize money is significantly more than the career prize money of his former foes in the UFC.

Kasanganay was the story of the event after the conclusion of PFL 10 2023. Moreover, Kasanganay eyes a fight with Francis Ngannou, among others, in the PFL in 2024. Kasanganay also became a household name after his story became public. Therefore, it was the best thing that ever happened to the PFL in 2023, excluding the signing of Francis Ngannou.

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