Former Bellator champion and former UFC welterweight champion contender, Rory McDonald, made his successful debut under the Professional Fighters League banner with an early victory in the opening match of the 2021 Welterweight Grand Prix.
Rory McDonald finished at 3: 38 of the first round with a choke behind former Bellator and UFC fighter Curtis Millender. “The Red King” showed a dominant performance and recorded six points.
The Red King!! 1st round submission and a successful debut for Rory MacDonald!#2021PFL2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 30, 2021
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“I’ve worked hard and invested a lot in 2020, so I’m delighted to be here today and show such a good performance,” Canadian Rory MacDonald said in a post-match interview. “Of course I’m interested in the fight with Raynald” Ray “Cooper III. He’s a champion here. “
In the second most important event of the tournament, the winner of the previous season, Ray Cooper III, also won a dominant victory in the first round of the competition, already in the 83rd second of the match, finishing with Jason Ponet’s hand triangle choke.
Ray Cooper III moves to the top of the welterweight standings!! 6 Point Submission for Braddah!#2021PFL2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 30, 2021
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The fight with the participation of Nikolay Aleksakhin was declared invalid, because in the second round, his opponent, Sadibou Sy, hit him with a finger in the eye, as a result of which the Russian could not continue the meeting. Both fighters received one point out of six possible points for the fight.
This bout is officially a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. Both fighters move forward with 1 point in the welterweight standings.#2021PFL2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021
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The light heavyweights Antonio Carlos Junior, Cezar Ferreira, and Martin Hamlet all scored early wins.
FIRST ROUND FINISH FOR SHOEFACE! He moves on with 6 points in the light heavyweight standings!#2021PFL2 pic.twitter.com/Y6gE82ympS
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021
.@cezarmutante gets the 6 point finish!! OMG that was devastating!#2021PFL2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021
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MARTHIN HAMLET PUTS DAN SPOHN TO SLEEP! 5 points go to Hamlet to start off the night!!!#2021PFL2
— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021
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