London, England – Copperbox Arena played host to the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Women’s Lightweight and Men’s Featherweight Semifinals. Featherweights Brendan Loughnane and Bubba Jenkins secured their spots and will square off in the Featherweight Championship. Lightweights Kayla Harrison and Larissa Pacheco will fight for the third time after both dispatched their opponents in the first round.
No. 2 Kayla Harrison Submitted No. 3 Martina Jindrova, Advances to Lightweight Final
Round 1 began, Martina landed leg kicks early, Harrison caught one of them and took Jindrova down. Harrison gained side control and advanced into the north-south position, moved into full mount and threw ground and pound. Jindrova attempted to get up, but Kayla pinned her down and caught her in an arm triangle; Jindrova tapped quickly.
Kayla Harrison will advance to her third Lightweight Championship.
No. 4 Brendan Loughnane Upset No. 1 Chris Wade in UD Win, Advances to Featherweight Championship
The bout kicked off, both men met at center cage and looked to find their range. Wade clinched and pushed Loughnane into the cage; Brendan separated and gained space. Wade met him at center cage and landed a huge head kick that wobbled Brendan;Wade took him to the ground and landed some shots. Brendan arose and landed two big counters, Wade shot for a single leg and pressed Loughnane up against the cage. Loughnane freed himself and unleashed a flurry of low kicks and then shot for a takedown, and Wade braced and shrugged Loughnane off as the bell sounded.
Second round began, and both men worked their jabs at center cage; Brendan fired some kicks down low. Loughnane continued to land combinations. Loughnane worked the jab to start some damage as Wade’s nose leaked blood. Brendan landed a big headkick, and Wade shot for a desperation takedown, but Loughnane arose quickly and unleashed brutal jabs. Wade absorbed massive damage from Brendan’s jabs and low kicks as the round came to a close.
The third and final round commenced, and Brendan went back to work with his jabs. Loughnane threw two huge rights that wobbled Wade, but Wade recovered and retorted with a flurry of body shots. Wade clinched and pressured Loughnane towards the cage, but Brendan circled out. Wade pressured further as he shot for two more takedowns that were stuffed by Loughnane as the bout closed out.
Loughnane secured the unanimous decision victory (30-27 on all three cards) and will advance to the Featherweight Final.
Lightweight Semifinal No.1 Larissa Pacheco Extended Her Finishing Streak to Five with TKO over No. 4 Olena Kolesnyk
First round began, Pacheco took center cage and Olena circled around the cage. Pacheco landed a hard right that wobbled Kolesnyk, who circled out of danger. Pacheco cut her off and dropped her with a left hook, and followed up with hammer fists until referee Rich Mitchell was forced to call it. Pacheco will advance to the women’s Lightweight Championship.
No. 3 Bubba Jenkins Quickly Dispatched No. 2 Ryoji Kudo, Advances to Featherweight Championship.
The fight began with an attempted takedown from Jenkins, who looked to clinch Kudo against the cage. Both fighters exchanged blows in the clinch, but Bubba escaped and found the back of Kudo. Ryoji rolled to escape as he tossed and turned, but Jenkins secured the rear-naked choke and got the tap early in the first round. Bubba Jenkins has advanced to the Featherweight Championship.
 Women’s Lightweight and Men’s Featherweight Ssemifinals. Featherweights Brendan Loughnane and Bubba Jenkins secured their spots and will square off in the Featherweight Championship. Lightweights Kayla Harrison and Larissa Pacheco will fight for the third time after both dispatched their opponents in the first round.){kind=link}