Low-Key Week in MMA Able to Surpass Expectations

(12-1) Jeremy Kennedy scored the first round TKO victory over (10-2) Danyel Pilo (Via: Brave CF Twitter)

For a second straight week, MMA fans were without a UFC event; however the promotions that did put on shows were able to shine. PFL, Bellator and Brave CF all featured deep cards with names such as: James Gallagher, Jeremy Kennedy, Jake Shields and Darrion Caldwell competing.

PFL 6: Regular Season – Thursday at 10 pm ET from Atlantic City, NJ

As the second half of the regular season rolls on in PFL, stars are starting to emerge. With a traditional sporting type seeding structure, and a “win or go home” format, PFL has been able to supersede its previous configuration as WSOF. NBC has put a lot of stock in the inaugural season, as winners of each division will be eligible for a share of the $10 million prize culminating at PFL 11 on December 31st. A second season seems incredibly likely, with celebrity backers the likes of Kevin Hart, and Tony Robbins among others raising an additional $28 million in seed money.

(2-0) Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison piling on (8-2) Jozette Cotton (Via: PFL Twitter)

Scoring major wins at PFL 6 were (15-4) welterweight Ray Cooper III and (2-0) women’s lightweight Kayla Harrison. Cooper was able to secure the top seed in his division with another TKO finish over Pavel Kusch at 18 seconds of the first round. Harrison continues to evolve in the cage, this time facing a proven lightweight in Jozette “The #1 Headbusta” Cotton. The former US Olympian was confident exchanging with Cotton in the first round, ultimately spending the majority of the fight in top position and landing hard shots en route to a third round TKO finish.

Bellator 204 – Friday at 9 pm ET from Sioux Falls, SD

(11-1) promotional newcomer Ricky Bandejas skyrocketed into the bantamweight division, making quick work of SBG’s (7-1) James Gallagher (Via: Bellator Twitter)

Bellator 204 featured 10 finishes in total, with a sleeper main card could rival any UFC Fight Night. Budding superstar (7-1) James Gallagher made his return from multiple injuries taking on (11-1) regional star Ricky Bandejas. Bandejas was able to expose holes in the young Irishman Gallagher’s game, scoring a first round TKO finish set up by an amazing head kick followed by ground and pound. For the 21-year-old Gallagher, the year-long layoff proved to be a difficult obstacle to overcome, but he was able to take it in stride.

(Via: James Gallagher Instagram)

In a battle of South Dakotans, it was 4-time Division 1 All-American Logan Storley improving his record to 9-0 in an impressive showing over proven vet (9-8) A.J. Matthews. Storley said in an interview with Fight Night Picks that “The biggest thing is just going out there and making him understand that I can strike with you. He knows that I can take him down, and he knows it’s going to be hard to get away and it’ll be a long night for him if he’s stuck down there.”

Bantamweight champion (12-1) Darrion Caldwell was also victorious in his return to featherweight against (12-4) UFC vet Noad Lahat. Caldwell was able to capitalize on his Division 1 college wrestling prowess with a second round TKO finish over Lahat, flipping a switch and throwing shots from the ground to punch his ticket against the winner of Patricio “Pitbull” Friere and Emmanuel Sanchez which is scheduled November 15.

Brave CF 14 – Saturday at 1 pm ET from Tangier, Morocco

Brave made their African debut in Tangier on Saturday in front of a packed crowd (Via: Brave CF)

Brave was able to wow African MMA fans with their promotional debut in Morocco on Saturday. Those in attendance were met with exciting fights, top-notch production values and musical guests between certain fights. In the main event, Moroccan finisher (11-0) Ottman “Bulldozer” Azaitar was able to score a 32 second TKO victory and defend his welterweight belt against Serbian (16-15) Danijel Kokora.

Former four fight UFC vet (12-1) Jeremy Kennedy was able to right the ship following his TKO loss to Alexander Volkanovski in February, with a win over (10-2) Italian Danyel Pilo.

Younger brother of UFC lightweight Kevin Lee, Keith Lee, was on the wrong end of a split decision, coming up short against (7-3) Jeremy Pacatiw. Lee attempted to employ a wrestle heavy offence against the striker Pacatiw, which fell short in the eyes of the judges. Takedown attempts were hard to come by, and Lee spent the majority of the fight pressing Pacatiw up against the cage.

The UFC returns this coming Saturday from Lincoln, Nebraska with (18-2) Justin Gaethje and (13-1) James Vick serving as headliners. The card also features many top ranked fighters and on paper should produce a top Fight Night event!