The PFL returns for the second set of three playoff semifinals. This week will feature bouts between boxers competing in the welterweight and heavyweight divisions.
The 2022 PFL Playoffs 2 event takes place Saturday at Cardiff Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales. The preliminary rounds will be streamed on ESPN+, and the main card will then appear on ESPN after those rounds have concluded.
The main event features former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald (23-9-1), who is the top-seeded contender, going up against late replacement Dilano Taylor (9-2). Magomed Umalatov was unable to play on Thursday due to complications with his visa, so Taylor filled in for him. Tipico Sportsbook has MacDonald pegged at -205, while Taylor’s comeback is pegged at +155. MacDonald has the support of ten of our twelve editors, writers, radio hosts, and videographers, but just one of them believes he should go to the final round.
At heavyweight, No. 2 Ante Delija (21-5) takes on No. 3 Renan Ferreira (9-3). At the betting window, it’s a pick’em war, and it’s close with our staff members, as well. Delija currently holds the tiniest conceivable lead in the picks, with a score of 6-5.
Juan Adams, who has a record of 10-4, entered the other heavyweight semifinal on Thursday as a late replacement for Denis Goltsov, who was the top seed. Matheus Scheffel, who was once an alternate, will be his opponent. He has a record of 16-8. In spite of the fact that he gave such little warning, Adams is a significant favorite (-250), but the members of our team give the edge to Scheffel (6-5).
And next up on the main show, the No. 2 seed Sadibou Sy (11-6-2) faces up against Carlos Leal in the second welterweight semifinal matchup (17-3). Although Sy has a slight advantage in the betting odds (-120), Leal has a significant edge in the picks (9-2).