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Impa Kasanganay continues his relentless pursuit of greatness, moving one step closer to another $1 million victory. On Friday night, at Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, Kasanganay faced off against Josh Silveira in the main event of PFL 8. This highly anticipated rematch saw the two warriors meet again after their 2023 light heavyweight tournament final, where Kasanganay had previously emerged victorious.
Silveira, determined to prove he was a changed fighter, came out with guns blazing. The American Top Team product promised a new version of himself, and he delivered by bringing intense pressure right from the start. Despite Silveira’s aggressive approach, Kasanganay held his ground, trading blows in a fierce back-and-forth battle. With significant strikes and a critical takedown late in the fight, Kasanganay secured a unanimous decision, pushing him forward to the 2024 finals.
In the co-main event, Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov pulled off an upset by defeating former PFL champion Rob Wilkinson. Known for his aggressive striking, Wilkinson was expected to dominate, but Yagshimuradov stole the show. Landing the more powerful punches and controlling the pace, Yagshimuradov earned a clean sweep on the scorecards, marking his place in the light heavyweight finals.
Gadzhi Rabadanov also impressed with his powerful performance, taking down Michael Dufort in the second round to secure his spot in the lightweight tournament finals. Rabadanov, known for his connections to MMA legends Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov, showcased his striking prowess, delivering a brutal left hook followed by ground-and-pound to finish Dufort.
Brent Primus, a former Bellator lightweight champion, also punched his ticket to the finals with a dominant win over 2023 lightweight tournament finalist Clay Collard. Primus effectively neutralized Collard’s striking by employing his superior wrestling and grappling, securing a unanimous decision victory.
However, the highlight of the night belonged to Biaggio Ali Walsh. The grandson of the legendary Muhammad Ali delivered an electrifying performance, scoring his first professional knockout in just 55 seconds against Brian Stapleton. Ali Walsh, who made his pro debut earlier this year, showcased the kind of power and precision reminiscent of his famous grandfather, ending the fight with a devastating right hand.
As the PFL tournament nears its conclusion, all eyes are on these finalists, each fighter eager to claim the championship and the $1 million prize.
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