Preview: PFL 5 2024

Light Heavyweights

Sadibou Sy (16-8-2, 10-6-2 PFL) vs. Tom Breese (18-5, 1-1 PFL): Sy’s light heavyweight debut ended before it really started, but the former PFL welterweight champion is back for redemption. Sy’s striking is slicker than most 205-pounders, and he can turn off the lights with a flick of his leg. Breese would be wise to get this fight to the mat as soon as possible. He was unable to do that in his first-round knockout loss to Rob Wilkinson in April, but when Breese sticks to his grappling, he can find a sub early.

Light Heavyweights

Andrew Sanchez (14-7, 1-0 PFL) vs. Karl Albrektsson (14-5, 0-0 PFL): Sanchez has come a long way since winning Season 23 of “The Ultimate Fighter” eight years ago. After an up-and-down stint in the UFC, Sanchez pits his experience against Albrektsson. Sweden’s Albrektsson makes his PFL debut after his campaign for a Bellator world title was halted by back-to-back losses to Karl Moore and Grant Neal. Both fighters can bang and have 13 knockouts between them, so expect a short but intense affair.

Lightweights

Brent Primus (13-3, 1-0 PFL) vs. Solomon Renfro (11-5, 1-2 PFL): The 39-year-old Primus passed his prime when he reigned as the Bellator lightweight champion, but despite being the oldest competitor in the field, the former champ’s gas tank is still a weapon. Primus comes in off a second-round submission win over Bruno Miranda and could have another favorable matchup here. Renfro has excellent boxing, but his stamina failed him, resulting in a decision loss to Gadzhi Rabadanov. Renfo could cause problems early, but if Primus takes the fight to the mat, it could be a long night for the Cleveland native.

Lightweights

Gadzhi Rabadanov (21-4-1, 1-0 PFL) vs. Elvin Espinoza (10-0, 5-0 PFL): Rabadanov showed resolve when he shook off a slow start and outworked Solomon Renfro down the stretch to win his seventh straight fight. The Dagestani wrestling product can control a fight but hasn’t stopped an opponent in over three years. Espinoza has been coined “The Prodigy,” but several flaws in his game were exposed in his last fight against Adam Piccolotti. Espinoza was beaten to the punch throughout but kept his undefeated record intact when he caught Piccolotti with a flying knee in the final round. Espinoza has the explosiveness to take out a foe in an instant, but opportunities could be slim against a vet like Rabadanov.

Lightweights

Michael Dufort (13-4, 1-0 PFL) vs. Adam Piccolotti (14-6, 0-1 PFL): Since dropping his first two professional fights, Dufort has developed into one of Canada’s best talents. The 30-year-old has 10 submission wins on his ledger and is coming off the biggest victory of his career against Mads Burnell. Dufort’s five-fight winning streak will be tested against Piccolotti, however. The former Bellator contender has tangled with world beaters like Benson Henderson, Sidney Outlaw and Mansour Barnaoui, but he is prone to losing focus late in fights. That was evident in his last bout when Piccolotti was knocked out by Elvin Espinoza in the third round after dominating most of their fight.

Lightweights

Anthony Romero (12-2, 1-1 PFL) vs. Sergio Cossio (18-9-1, 0-0 PFL): Cossio brings an eight-fight winning streak into his PFL debut. The Xtreme Couture product started his career shaky—he lost seven of his first 10 fights—but has figured it out since. His finish-or-be-finished style makes for fun fights, and he could be an exciting addition to the PFL roster. Romero earned his shot on the main roster thanks to a win on the PFL Challenger Series but hasn’t fought since he was knocked out by Olivier Aubin-Mercier in June 2023. Both fighters need to impress if they want an invitation to next year’s tournament.

Featherweights

Brahyan Zurcher (9-0, 4-0 PFL) vs. Julian Ruiz (4-0, 0-0 PFL): Somebody’s “0” has to go in this featherweight attraction. Training out of the Capetillo Boxing Gym, Zurcher is a Guadalajara, Mexico, native whose boxing background makes him dangerous. He has stopped his last three opponents and will be gunning for Ruiz’s chin. Ruiz fights out of Millcreek, Utah, and is one of the state’s most promising prospects. He has won three of his four fights by knockout and plans to open the card with a bang.

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Collard vs. Burnell
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The Prelims