What we discovered at PFL 5: Chris Wade lastly snaps his Russian shedding streak

The defending PFL champions at featherweight and light-weight are the No. 1 seeds heading into the playoffs. Chris Wade ended his shedding streak towards Russian fighters in a powerful displaying to shut out PFL 5. The viewers was thrilled by a battle that led to a majority draw.

It was an evening of ups, downs, and a few tight judges’ selections that provoked a variety of conversations. With two extra playoff brackets locked down, let’s break down the most important classes we discovered Thursday evening in Atlantic Metropolis, New Jersey.

Who modified your thoughts at PFL 5 with their efficiency (good or dangerous)?

Marc Raimondi: For sure, Alex Gilpin. He misplaced to Lance Palmer by unanimous determination at PFL 2 and was sturdy in that bout. However it was exhausting to anticipate what he did Thursday by submitting a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt in Freddy Assuncao with a standing guillotine choke. Maybe I underestimated Gilpin. The Wisconsin native had six choke submission victories coming in. He’s undoubtedly harmful when he will get maintain of an opponent’s neck. It will be fascinating to see how he does towards a wrestler like Andre Harrison within the light-weight quarterfinals.

Jeff Wagenheim: Alex Gilpin confirmed little in his first battle of the season, getting grinded into powder by Lance Palmer’s relentlessness. However Thursday was a unique story, and a comparatively quick one, as Gilpin led the dance from the opening observe and effectively gained by a guillotine end within the first spherical. Now, he was in with Freddy Assuncao, who had not fought since 2016 and isn’t to be confused together with his twin brother, Raphael Assuncao. Nonetheless, a well-crafted victory is a pleasant momentum builder.

Myron Medcalf: Islam Mamedov is a severe contender within the light-weight division. Bao Yincang did not pose a lot of a risk, however he had essentially the most violent effort of the evening, rapidly placing Yincang within the crucifix place and touchdown dozens of left arms. Mamedov hasn’t misplaced in a decade, and he is the final man to defeat Natan Schulte, the 2018 PFL light-weight champion. He might win this event and win through a number of finishes. I used to be impressed.

Movlid Khaybulaev stands over Andre Harrison after knocking him down within the last moments of the primary spherical of their battle at PFL 5. Harrison in the end fought his method again to a majority draw. Ryan Loco/PFL

What was the battle of the evening at PFL 5?

Medcalf: I do know a majority draw most likely would not win many battle of the evening bonuses for its contributors, however PFL 5’s greatest battle did not finish with a winner. Andre Harrison and Movlid Khaybulaev entered Thursday’s battle with only one profession loss between the 2 of them. Harrison is combating to get one other shot at Lance Palmer, who beat him within the PFL final 12 months after Harrison gained their first battle in 2017.

Khaybulaev went viral after his 10-second flying knee KO of Damon Jackson at PFL 2, after which, within the closing seconds of the primary spherical Thursday, he landed one other flying knee towards Harrison. Harrison was wobbly after he was saved by the bell, however then he harm Khaybulaev within the second spherical and secured the draw with a win within the third spherical. It was a loopy battle.

Raimondi: I loved Andre Harrison vs. Movlid Khaybulaev as effectively. Khaybulaev had Harrison in large hassle after a leaping knee — he is fairly good at these — and a mix proper on the finish of the primary spherical. Harrison was basically saved by the bell. But the New York native was in a position to mount a pleasant comeback and win the subsequent two rounds on the scorecards of two judges for a majority draw. This was not your typical Harrison efficiency. He was not as conservative and his sport plan was not as wrestling-heavy as we have seen beforehand

In the meantime, we now know Khaybulaev is the actual deal, hanging each step of the way in which with among the finest featherweights in PFL. Khaybulaev knocked out Damon Jackson in simply 10 seconds final month with a knee and virtually added Harrison as one other notch on his belt with the identical approach. Not dangerous in any respect for the dynamic Russian fighter. He’ll be a tough out within the playoffs.

Wagenheim: Andre Harrison vs. Movlid Khaybulaev. It ended up as a majority draw, which tells you all you could learn about how well-matched these guys have been. And the way in regards to the coronary heart of Harrison? He was wobbled and on the verge of being completed on the finish of Spherical 1, and I used to be significantly questioning whether or not referee Keith Peterson ought to have ended it proper there earlier than the horn. However then Harrison got here out and managed the remainder of the battle. Gotta love these momentum swings.

Nate Andrews edged previous Rashid Magomedov at PFL 5 for a unanimous determination victory and a spot within the light-weight playoffs. Ryan Loco/PFL

Which battle did the judges miss with their determination?

Wagenheim: I am form of numb to judges’ selections, partly as a result of I watch fights differently than judges do. I am not preserving an accounting of factors scored by strikes, takedowns, and different well-established elements. I merely draw a conclusion after every spherical on who gained, primarily based on what I observe. Which will or could not jibe with judging standards.

That mentioned, I believed the judges received a pair unsuitable on Thursday, most head-scratchingly, the Jeremy Kennedy win over Steven Siler. I believed it was Siler’s battle by the primary two rounds, with Kennedy’s third spherical being too little, too late. I am not crying theft, although — simply perhaps a misdemeanor petty theft.

Medcalf: Let’s be sincere. Nate Andrews did not beat Rashid Magomedov. Even when he did, I am undecided how that would have been a unanimous determination. Here is the factor: Andrews gained the primary spherical. He was energetic and his mixtures have been efficient. However I felt like Magomedov’s takedown within the second spherical and his exercise on the bottom have been essentially the most impactful maneuvers of the spherical. And he undoubtedly gained the third. Effective, as an instance you noticed it in a different way. You may’t inform me three judges noticed that the identical method. Does not make sense. I am joyful for Andrews. He is an incredible story. However I do not suppose he earned a unanimous determination over final 12 months’s PFL light-weight runner-up.

Raimondi: The judges had Nate Andrews beating Rashid Magomedov in a unanimous determination. I didn’t agree with that decision. Andrews got here out aggressive within the first spherical and appeared nice for the primary couple of minutes. He undoubtedly gained that first body, however Magomedov had some momentum and appeared to have figured issues out by the top. Andrews pressed ahead a lot of the remainder of the way in which, which is probably going what the judges noticed. However I felt Magomedov was more practical and landed the higher pictures within the second and third. It wasn’t essentially the most egregious determination ever, however I had Magomedov successful.

Chris Wade employed a flurry of kicks at PFL 5 on his option to a unanimous determination victory over Akhmed Aliev. Ryan Loco/PFL

Which first-round battle are you trying ahead to most within the light-weight and featherweight divisions?

Medcalf: Daniel Pineda confirmed as much as battle as a late addition to PFL 5, after which his opponent missed weight. I talked to him. He is upset about that. I like the concept of Pineda going through Khaybulaev as a result of they’re each aggressive featherweights who will search for the KO. Khaybulaev’s flying knees are must-see TV now, and all of Pineda’s wins have been finishes. At light-weight, Nate Andrews and Chris Wade ought to be an incredible conflict of types that would result in some thrilling exchanges. Andrews is all motion, and Wade is “obsessed” with getting one other probability to win the $1 million.

Wagenheim: At featherweight, Andre Harrison vs. Alex Gilpin. Each guys confirmed resilience on Thursday, and if Gilpin can deal with Harrison’s wrestling higher than he did Lance Palmer’s again in Might, we might be in for a superb battle. As for lighweight, Akhmed Aliev vs. Rashid Magomedov. Like Harrison vs. Gilpin, this can be a matchup of a No. four seed and a No. 5. That means that will probably be aggressive. Each Aliev and Magomedov misplaced on Thursday, however each impressed me nonetheless.

Raimondi: At light-weight, it is Akhmed taking up Magomedov. What’s higher than two technically sound Russian strikers going at it? That ought to be extraordinarily fascinating. And the winner will greater than possible get Natan Schulte, the highest seed and defending champ, subsequent. Very intrigued by that half of the bracket.

I am additionally fascinated by Khaybulaev vs. Pineda at featherweight. Khaybulaev, to me, is likely one of the greatest success tales of this PFL season up to now. Pineda is a grizzled veteran of the U.S. regional scene, and he is on a four-fight successful streak. Pineda is an motion fighter — he hasn’t been to determination since 2016. We now know Khaybulaev can produce fireworks, too. I think about we’ll see some in that battle.

Lance Palmer moved to 7-Zero in his PFL profession with a third-round TKO of Luis Rafael Laurentino. The win earned the defending featherweight champion a No. 1 seed within the PFL playoffs. Ryan Loco/PFL

Wanting on the brackets as they shook out, who’s your favourite in every division? What a couple of darkish horse?

Wagenheim: Featherweight favourite is Lance Palmer. Nothing he does is spectacular, particularly with PFL guidelines eliminating elbows from his ground-and-pound, however go forward and attempt to cease him from imposing his will on you. Darkish horse needs to be Andre Harrison. His comeback towards Khaybulaev to earn a majority draw says loads about this man and his unbending will. Resilience like that may carry you a great distance when playoff push involves playoff shove.

Within the light-weight division, I will go along with Islam Mamedov. It would not get a lot better than his no-sweat destruction of Bao Yincang on Thursday. Extra necessary than that, although, the second-seeded Mamedov additionally owns a submission win over No. 1 seed and defending champion Natan Schulte. That might be a heck of a last on New Yr’s Eve. So far as a light-weight darkish horse, it might be Chris Wade for me. His first-round opponent is somebody he dealt with with out a variety of wrestle earlier this season at PFL 2, and whereas that does not imply Nate Andrews will likely be a pushover, it has to spice up Wade’s confidence degree heading into the playoffs.

Medcalf: Lance Palmer stays the favourite within the featherweight division, for my part. Loads of of us thought Luis Rafael Laurentino might pull off the upset after he ran by Jeremy Kennedy, however Palmer toyed with Laurentino earlier than he earned the end within the third spherical. The darkish horse is Jeremy Kennedy. Aside from the 23-second loss to Laurentino at PFL 2 and a loss to Alexander Volkanovski, one of many prime featherweights on the earth throughout his time within the UFC, Kennedy’s had an unblemished run. He overcame early adversity to beat Steven Siler, the event’s runner-up final 12 months, on Thursday.

At light-weight, I believe Schulte maintains the spot as the favourite as effectively. He did not have a lot time to organize for Jesse Ronson, a late alternative after a number of fighters missed weight, however his hip tosses and grappling managed the bout. The darkish horse is Andrews. He throws a variety of mixtures, and so they come from awkward angles. He is simply an unorthodox man who might make issues fascinating within the playoffs.

Raimondi: I will need to go chalk within the featherweight division. It is not out of the query, in fact, however I do not suppose anybody will dethrone Palmer, the defending champion. At light-weight, I have been extraordinarily impressed with Islam Mamedov. He might be the kryptonite for defending champ Natan Schulte. Mamedov has gained 16 in a row and has not misplaced since 2009. Nice wrestler and grappler.

For a darkish horse, at featherweight I might say Luis Rafael Laurentino. We noticed how explosive he might be in his first battle when he knocked out Jeremy Kennedy with a head kick. He was in a position to defend fairly effectively towards Palmer off his again for some time Thursday, too. He’s pretty well-rounded. At light-weight, I might need to go along with Magomedov. He’s good at neutralizing wrestlers for essentially the most half and is a technical, tactical striker. It will be fascinating to see a rematch between him and Schulte, who beat Magomedov in final 12 months’s last.