WASHINGTON, D.C. – The PFL crowned its newest $1 million welterweight winner Friday.
No. 1 seed Magomed Magomedkerimov (33-6) met No. 3 Sadibou Sy (16-6-2) in the 170-pound season championship at The Anthem in Washington, D.C.
Go inside the matchup below, from the backstory and the buildup through the end of the fight itself, with stats, photos, preview videos, highlight videos, quotes, recaps and more.
The story will update throughout the fight and event.
How we got here
Magomedkerimov, the 2018 season winner, knocked out Ben Egli with a head kickk in his first fight, then submitted David Zawada for a 12-point season. In the semifinals, he outworked Solomon Renfro for a unanimous decision.
Sy lost to Magomedkerimov in 2021 by decision. He hasn’t lost since then, including a 2022 season win for $1 million. He stopped Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi in the second round and knocked out Shane Mitchell with a wheel kick in the regular season. In the semifinals, he took a split call from Carlos Leal.
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Sadibou Sy: Weigh-ins
Champion vs Champion battle | Sadibou Sy vs Magomed Magomedkerimov for the 2023 PFL Welterweight World Title
[Fri, Nov 24th | 8pm ET on ESPN+PPV|🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM| #PFLWorldChampionship] pic.twitter.com/RUYneIN45v
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 23, 2023
Final betting odds
Magomedkerimov closed as about a -200 favorite; the comeback on Sy was +180.
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Sadibou Sy: The fight
Records: Magomedkerimov (33-6), Sy (16-6-2)
Round 1: Defending champ Sy looked good in the first frame and landed several sold shots – but Magomedkerimov landed big punches, as well.
Round 2: Sy’s best weapon was kicks and knees, and when Magomedkerimov took him down, he popped right back to his feet to keep his Dagestani opponent perhaps frustrated. It was a closer round than the first.
Round 3: After an exchange near the fence, Magomedkerimov chased Sy down and went after a guillotine choke on the feet. He got it, jumped with it, and not long after, Sy had to tap at the 1:17 mark of the middle frame. Coincidentally, Magomedkerimov won the 2018 season with the same choke.
Magomed Magomedkerimov is a 2x PFL Welterweight World Champion!!!!!#PFLWorldChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+ PPV
🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/zvABz6x68I— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 25, 2023
The aftermath
After the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator, the winner will be in line for a potential fight against Bellator 170-pound titleholder Jason Jackson, who upset Yaroslav Amosov a week ago.
Magomed Magomedkerimov post-fight interview
From Challenger to Champion, Impa Kasanganay has done it! HISTORY MADE#PFLWorldChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+ PPV
🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/rlGAucSMjS— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 25, 2023
Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Jason Jackson faceoff
2024 will see a Magomed Magomedkerimov vs Jason Jackson Welterweight SuperFight!#PFLWorldChampionship LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN+ PPV
🔗 https://t.co/9tors69QSM
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/4czFrUePU0— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 25, 2023
Magomed Magomedkerimov with MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn
PFL's 2023 Champs
Here they are your 2023 PFL World Champions! 3 new 2x Champions and 3 New 1st time Champions! Another season in the books!#PFLWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/H3uQQCoeMK
— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 25, 2023
Fight stats
