2024 PFL Playoffs Set for Lightweight, Light Heavyweight Brackets

Clay Collard came into the 2024 PFL 5 main event having already clinched a spot in the Professional Fighters League's lightweight playoffs but that didn't stop Mads Burnell from crashing the party.

Ever the composed striker, Collard (25-12, 1 NC) came out working his jab and landing body punches to establish his attack against Burnell (18-6), who would look to grapple later in the round. This late success gave Burnell a game plan to follow, as the Danish fighter would take the back of "Cassius" in Round 2. Likely even going into the third, Collard would use his volume punching to land more strikes than his opponent before being taken down and controlled for the final moments, with Burnell taking the back of the fan-favorite lightweight.

After 15 minutes of action, Burnell took a unanimous decision win with a trio of 29-28 scorecards but won't make the playoffs. Instead, Collard will face top seed Brent Primus in the lightweight semifinals.

Your #PFLPlayoffs Lightweight Match ups are official! pic.twitter.com/l9zXNexV3O

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024

Kasanganay KOs Nedoh

The final light heavyweight fight of the night was important as both Impa Kasanganay and Jakob Nedoh had paths to the playoffs.

Kasanganay (17-4) only needed to survive the first round to secure a playoff spot, and he survived a brief scare from "Tshilobo" in the first round to do so. Nedoh (8-3) hurt his opponent several times with hard-hitting right hands, but "The Gorilla" would counter with well-timed left hooks and uppercuts of his own. Kasanganay would badly hurt Nedoh with a right hand late in the second round and didn't let up, landing a series of punches that forced a doctor's stoppage in between rounds.

With the victory, Kasanganay is now 7-1 inside the PFL and is the top seed in the light heavyweight playoffs.

The Light Heavyweight bouts are set for the #PFLPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/AMvKmC58GE

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 22, 2024

Miranda Outstrikes Freire

Former Bellator MMA lightweight champion Patricky Freire stayed winless inside the PFL.

Opponent Bruno Miranda came out swinging wildly, allowing "Pitbull" to clip his fellow Brazilian with an overhand right that rocked him. Both men settled into the fight as Freire (25-13) wound up getting a takedown and securing back control. Miranda (16-5) would start finding more success in the second round as his heavy punching combinations stunned Freire. The older "Pitbull" brother would fight more intelligently in the final five minutes, getting a takedown, but Miranda was able to get back to his feet and do damage in the closing minute.

Judges awarded Miranda a split decision win with scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28 in his favor.

Related » 2024 PFL 5 Round-by-Round Scoring

Wilkinson Edges Out Silveira

One of the card's most anticipated fights saw 2022 light heavyweight champion Rob Wilkinson go up against the dangerous Joshua Silveira.

"Razor" found success early in the clinch, using his muscular build to control Silveira (13-3) and eventually get a takedown. Wilkinson (19-2, 1 NC) would continue his dominance in the second frame as well, dragging his foe to the floor several times. The Australian stayed out of damage in the final round, although Silveira would provide two scares with a guillotine choke and a back take.

Ultimately, the judges preferred the work of Wilkinson, who took a split decision with scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28. With the victory, the former champ advanced to the playoffs with 9 points. However, don't feel bad for Silveira, as the 31-year-old will go up against Kasanganay in the playoffs.

Yagshimuradov Cruises Past Biyong

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov clinched a light heavyweight playoff spot by winning a clear decision over Simon Biyong.

Both men came out looking tentative, which was an issue for Biyong (9-5) as he needed a first-round finish for any chance at a playoff spot. In clear control, Yagshimuradov (23-7-1) easily kept his opponent at bay, using kicks and a superior jab to keep his distance. The Italian fighter would give up several takedowns in the final round, allowing "Wolfhound" to take a one-sided unanimous decision with 30-27 scorecards across the board.

With three extra points for the win, Yagshimuradov moved on to the playoffs with 9 points overall this season and will face off against Wilkinson.

Polizzi Upsets Carlos Jr.

The opening main card fight saw Antonio Carlos Jr. take on Alex Polizzi at light heavyweight in a back-and-forth affair.

The Brazilian wasted little time showing off his impressive grappling as he took the back of Polizzi (11-4). However, Carlos Jr. (16-5, 2 NC) wasn't able to secure a submission, and "Eazy" started to find more success in the second round as he was able to stuff takedowns and do some damage in the process. It all came down to the final round, which saw "Shoeface" wind up on the bottom and take plenty of punches from the American.

Polizzi received a unanimous decision victory with three scorecards of 29-28 in his favor but didn't make the playoffs as he had racked up just three points this season.

2024 PFL 5 Prelim Results:

In preliminary action, Brent Primus put away Solomon Renfro with a rear-naked choke, securing the tap at 3:21 of Round 3 and earning a lightweight playoff spot; Sadibou Sy finished off an exhausted Andrew Sanchez late in Round 3, picking up a TKO win via punches at the 4:02 mark; Gadzhi Rabadanov used takedowns to control Elvin Espinoza, secure a spot in the playoffs and earn a unanimous decision win with a trio of 30-27 scorecards; In a back-and-forth contest, Adam Piccolotti eked out a split decision win over Michael Dufort (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), who still made it into the playoffs and will face off against Rabadanov; Sergio Cossio picked up a unanimous decision win over Anthony Romero with three 29-28 scorecards in his favor; and Brahyan Zurcher knocked out Julian Ruiz