Rory MacDonald has a new opponent for his PFL semifinals bout.
Magomed Umalatov has been forced out of 2022 PFL Playoffs 2 due to visa issues, and Dilano Taylor (9-2) will step in on short notice to face MacDonald (23-9-1) on Saturday’s card, which takes place takes place at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+ and ahead of post-lim qualifiers on ESPN+.
That’s one of two major changes to the card. Also forced to withdraw is top-seeded heavyweight Denis Goltsov, who will be replaced by former UFC fighter Juan Adams (10-4). Adams meets Matheus Scheffel (16-8) in the semifinals. Adams made his successful promotional debut in June when he stopped Sam Kei in the second round at PFL 5.
The promotion announced both changes Thursday.
Despite losing to Sadibou Sy in his past outing at PFL 6, MacDonald’s first-round submission of Brett Cooper at PFL 3 gave him six points and put him in first place of the welterweight standings.
Meanwhile, Taylaor earned a spot on this season’s roster after defeating Mark Martin at PFL Challenger Series 2. He then went on to edge out Joao Zeferino before getting stopped by Magomed Magomedkerimov and missing out on the playoffs. He will now get another opportunity when he replaces Umalatov against MacDonald.
With the changes, here is the 2022 PFL Playoffs 2 lineup:
MAIN CARD (ESPN, 1 p.m. ET)
- Rory MacDonald vs. Dilano Taylor – welterweight semifinal
- Ante Delija vs. Renan Ferreira – heavyweight semifinal
- Juan Adams vs. Matheus Scheffel – heavyweight semifinal
- Sadibou Sy vs. Carlos Leal – welterweight semifinal
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 11 a.m. ET)
- Josh O’Connor vs. Emran Sakhizaada
- Mohammad Fakhreddine vs. Marcin Wojcik
- Chris Mixan vs. Christian Stigenberg
- Szymon Bajor vs. Hatef Moeil
POSTLIM CARD (ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET)
- Will Fleury vs. Anthony Salamone
- Ben Ellis vs. Nathan Kelly
- Vojto Barborik vs. Maxim Radu
- Moktar Benkaci vs. Francesco Nuzzi
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2022 PFL Playoffs 2.
