PFL Playoffs 2 Predictions: Rory MacDonald, Ante Delija Favored To Clinch Seats In Finals

The 2022 Professional Fighters League (PFL) Playoffs continue this Saturday, August 13, which emanates live from the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in Wales, United Kingdom.

The promotion has brought an exciting lineup for its first trip across the pond as PFL Playoffs 2 features semifinal bouts in the welterweight and heavyweight divisions, headlined by former UFC star and Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald.

With another unpredictable card on deck, let's try to predict who advances to finals this year.

Rory MacDonald vs. Dilano Taylor

Winner: Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald may have caught a massive break with the withdrawal of Magomed Umalatov.

Umalatov was 12-0 heading into the postseason and was coming off a spectacular knockout victory over Jarrah Al-Silawi before being forced to withdraw from the semifinals due to visa issues.

Now, MacDonald meets a late replacement in Dilano Taylor, who finished as the seventh seed at the end of the regular season.

MacDonald may have had some rough patches in his PFL career so far, but against Taylor, "The Red King" is a clear favorite due to his talent and experience.

Ante Delija vs. Renan Ferreira

Winner: Ante Delija

Second-seeded Ante Delija has proven over the past two seasons that he has the skill set to become a top contender in the PFL's heavyweight division.

Last year, Delija fought his way to the finals, losing to Bruno Cappelozza by decision.

This year, he turned in a better regular season campaign, going undefeated to earn a return trip to the postseason.

Being one of only two people to push Cappelozza to the distance in PFL, the Croatian has proven that he can hang with the hard-hitters.

Renan Ferreira may be on another level when it comes to knockout power, but Delija's all-around game can be enough to stifle the Brazilian's deadly striking.

Matheus Scheffel vs. Juan Adams

Winner: Matheus Scheffel

Matheus Scheffel vs. Juan Adams could be a dark horse for Fight of the Night as both fighters are out to prove that they do belong in the semifinals.

Scheffel is riding high off an impressive upset win over Bruno Cappelozza, and the momentum of that win could likely help carry him to the finals.

Adams, meanwhile, owns a second-round victory over Sam Kei in his PFL debut.

While Adams could definitely come up with a knockout win, it's more likely that Scheffel can grind out a decision win due to his ability to overcome tremendous pressure in fights that matter.

Sadibou Sy vs. Carlos Leal

Winner: Sadibou Sy

In all of his four seasons in PFL, Sadibou Sy has never missed the postseason.

Making it out of the postseason has been a different story. This season, Sy appears to be on track for his first finals berth, clinching the No. 2 seat courtesy of his wins over Rory MacDonald and Nikolay Aleksakhin.

He faces an impressive newcomer in Carlos Leal, who owns a victory over two-time champion Ray Cooper III.

Sy could be in a tough challenge against Leal, but he has proven that he has the tools to hang with the best in the 170-pound weight class.

2022 could definitely be a breakout season for "The Swedish Denzel Washington."

Don't miss PFL Playoffs 2 live on ESPN and ESPN+ starting at 12:00 PM ET.