Professional Fighters League (PFL) returned with its third 2021 regular-season event on 6th May at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The main event saw Renan Ferreira defeating promotion debutant Fabrício Werdum via 1st round TKO.
A former UFC heavyweight champion, Werdum switched to PFL after signing a multi-fight deal with the promotion back in November last year, four months after his final UFC appearance against Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Island 3.
Controversy: Ferreira tapped twice before knocking out Werdum
The PFL 3 main event result has brought in some controversy, as while Ferreira’s first-round TKO is registered as the official stoppage win, video clips show that moments before the knockout, Ferreira tapped twice as he was held in a triangle choke by Werdum.
Before his finish against Fabricio Werdum, Renan Ferreira appeared to tap Werdum twice on the shoulder. #2021PFL3 pic.twitter.com/1M5ktz4xX4
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 7, 2021
It is understood that the angle was difficult for referee Keith Peterson to notice Ferreira’s taps, who embarked on a flurry of punches on Werdun and marked a win at 2:32 of the opening round.
“I don’t want to say nothing to him,” said Werdum after the fight, “but he knows in his mind that he tapped. And it’s not fair.”
Kayla Harrison dominates Mariana Morais in the co-main event
Two-time Olympic gold medallist judoka and 2019 PFL Lightweight champion Kayla Harrison had an easy picking in the Women’s Lightweight co-main event, clocking a quick TKO win over Mariana Morais within 90 seconds of her first Season 3 appearance.
Heavy ground and pound from Kayla Harrison! This one is over! #2021PFL3 LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPN
🌎 https://t.co/WfOt9XBfzk pic.twitter.com/d7f7M1ZX7q— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021
Check out the full PFL 3 results below:
Main card:
- Renan Ferreira defeats Fabricio Werdum via KO (strikes) – Round 1, 2:32
- Kayla Harrison defeats Mariana Morais via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:23
- Brandon Sayles defeats Mohammed Usman via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 3:42
- Larissa Pacheco defeats Julija Pajic via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:51
Preliminary card:
- Bruno Cappelozza defeats Ante Delija via KO (punches) – Round 1, 0:46
- Kaitlin Young defeats Cindy Dandois via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Genah Fabian defeats Laura Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Denis Goltsov defeats Muhammed Dereese via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:21
- Taylor Guardado defeats Helena Kolesnyk via unanimous decision (29-27, 30-26, 30-26)
- Magomed Umalatov defeats Kyron Bowen via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 0:07
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