KEY POINTS

  • Kayla Harrison keeps her immaculate slate intact as she overpowers Taylor Guardado
  • Ray Cooper III defeats Magomed Magomedkerimov to become a back-to-back PFL champion
  • Claressa Shields suffers her first MMA defeat at the hands of Abigail Montes

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) wrapped up its 2021 season with a culminating event for the ages as it saw six new world champions crowned--with each taking home a million-dollar grand prize.

It was an action-packed card from top to bottom, which featured ten fighters ranked Top 20 in the world.

The main event saw Kayla Harrison remain undefeated in her professional career as she dominated Taylor Guardado en route to a second-round submission via armbar.

Harrison imposed her will on the grappling front as she took Guardado down at will.

Guardado managed to defend well in the opening round but ultimately fell victim to Harrison’s dominance in the second frame.

Ray Cooper II is a PFL champion once more
Ray Cooper II is a PFL champion once more PFL photo release

In the co-main event, Ray Cooper III became a back-to-back PFL welterweight champion with a wild knockout of 2018 titleholder Magomed Magomedkerimov in the third round.

After a back-and-forth affair in the first two rounds, Cooper found himself in danger in the third round.

All Cooper needed was one big shot as he landed a combination to put Magomedkerimov down for good with a massive KO.

In a featured women’s lightweight contest, Abigail Montes stunned the world with a three-round split decision victory over women’s boxing icon Claressa Shields, who was competing in her second professional MMA bout.

Montes, who improved to 3-0 in her career, controlled Shields with her grappling en route to a decision win.

Abigail Montes deals Claressa Shields her first MMA loss at the 2021 PFL World Championships
Abigail Montes deals Claressa Shields her first MMA loss at the 2021 PFL World Championships PFL photo release

Meanwhile, Bruno Cappelozza bested Ante Dejila of Croatia by unanimous decision to become the new PFL heavyweight champion.

In another match-up on the card, Russia’s Movlid Khaybulaev dominated American Chris Wade to win by unanimous decision and claim the PFL featherweight championship.

On the other hand, Brazilian Antonio Carlos Jr. needed just one round to submit Norway’s Marthin Hamlet via rear-naked choke to become the PFL light heavyweight champion.

In the first title fight of the night, Raush Manfio of Brazil bested Tajikistan’s Loik Radzhabov by unanimous decision to take the PFL lightweight championship.

Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison PFL photo

COMPLETE 2021 PFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

ESPN2 CARD

  • Kayla Harrison def. Taylor Guardado via Submission (Armbar) at 2:00 of Round 2
  • Ray Cooper III def. Magomed Magomedkerimov by KO at 3:02 of Round 3
  • Abigail Montes def. Claressa Shields by Split Decision (48-46, 49-46, 48-46)
  • Bruno Cappelozza def. Ante Delija by Unanimous Decision (49-45, 48-46, 49-45)
  • Movlid Khaybulaev def. Chris Wade by Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)

ESPN+ CARD

  • Antonio Carlos Jr. def. Marthin Hamlet by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 3:49 0f Round 1
  • Raush Manfio def. Loik Radzhabov by Unanimous decision (48-46, 49-46, 48-46)
  • Jordan Young def. Omari Akhmedov by TKO at 1:32 of Round 3
  • Julia Budd def. Kaitlin Young by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Don Madge def. Nate Williams by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:15 of Round 2

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