PFL Playoff Picture In Two Divisions Undergoes Last-Minute Facelift Due To Visa Issues

With just a couple of days left before the Professional Fighters League's historic first-ever show in the United Kingdom, the card underwent a bit of a shakeup due to visa issues.

As a result, two semifinalists have been forced to withdraw from the tournament and will be replaced by alternate opponents.

PFL Playoffs 2 is scheduled for Saturday, August 13th at the Motorpoint Arena in Wales, United Kingdom.

Saturday's headlining bout will now feature top-seeded welterweight Rory "The Red King" MacDonald facing Dilano Taylor, who replaces fourth-seeded Magomed Umalatov.

Taylor debuted in the league via the 2022 PFL Challenger Series, which saw him pick up a stoppage win over Mark Martin after the opening round.

In the 2022 PFL regular season, he earned a decision victory over veteran Joao Zeferino before absorbing a loss to former champion Magomed Magomedkerimov.

Taylor finished the season as the seventh seed, but he now finds himself in the PFL playoffs with the opportunity of a lifetime.

No. 1-ranked Denis Goltsov was the other fighter forced to withdraw due to visa issues.

Filling in for Goltsov is Juan Adams, who will take on Matheus Scheffel in the heavyweight semifinals.

A three-fight UFC veteran, Adams made a maiden appearance under the PFL banner this season and earned himself an impressive second-round TKO win over Sam Kei.

Adams missed out on the Top Four, finishing as the sixth seed in the heavyweight bracket.

Scheffel himself is an alternate as well. The Brazilian dropped his PFL debut to Ante Delija, but he bounced back with an impressive upset victory over 2021 PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza.

While Scheffel ultimately finished as the seventh seed, his victory proved to be enough to earn him the call-up to the playoffs after Cappelozza was forced to withdraw due to an injury.

Now, both Adams and Scheffel have a chance to advance to the finals and vie for the coveted PFL heavyweight title.

PFL Playoffs 2 is available in the United States on ESPN and ESPN+. The broadcast begins at 12:00 PM ET.