Preview: PFL 2 ‘Cappelozza vs. Austin’

Heavyweights

Ante Delija (19-5, 3-2 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-650) vs. Matheus Scheffel (15-7, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+425): While Delija’s ties to Mirko Filipovic will always be referenced, the Croatian has utilized a grinding approach more often than relying on his strikes to find success in recent bouts. The judoka can be relentless in his pursuit of the takedown, though to his detriment, some can be poorly disguised, and he will use positional control and powerful ground-and-pound to carry him to victory. Delija’s defensive wrestling is not great, but he also does not panic in bad positions; and he is capable of sweeping and reversing back into top position, where he can threaten opponents with a decent array of chokes. Scheffel will move up to heavyweight for his PFL debut, where he figures to be somewhat undersized. “Buffa” is a willing striker who does not hesitate to flurry with punches when he sees an opening. While that is effective when an adversary is reeling, it also leaves him open to counters—a serious danger when faced with the power of bigger men at heavyweight. Scheffel’s brawling tendencies will leave him exposed for counters or allow Delija to enter the clinch and grind away, setting the stage for takedowns and ground-and-pound. Delija gradually imposes his will on his way to a TKO or submission triumph.

Featherweights

Bubba Jenkins (16-5, 2-1 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-260) vs. Kyle Bochniak (11-5, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+200): Bochniak is a wrestle-boxer who had a tough run in the UFC but has rebounded to post a three-fight winning streak against a trio of solid veterans under the XMMA banner. The Broadway Jiu-Jitsu representative will push the pace and attack with low kicks, but closing the distance will not pay off in this assignment. Jenkins, a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler and on the shortlist of PFL favorites at 145 pounds this season, will likely overwhelm his opponent through clinch work, takedowns and ground-and-pound—something he did to two-time PFL champion Lance Palmer—ahead of a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph.

Heavyweights

Denis Goltsov (27-7, 5-2 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-550) vs. Sam Kei (8-5, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+375): Goltsov, a former Absolute Championship Berkut titleholder with a wealth of experience, saw his title hopes dashed in an upset loss to Ante Delija in the 2021 PFL semifinals, as he had no answers for the takedowns and positional control of his opponent. The former combat sambo champion is decently well-rounded, with a solid jab and a varied arsenal of kicks on the feet. His wrestling is best when he is on the offensive, as he will execute takedowns, advance to dominant positions and threaten with chokes. Kei, meanwhile, is something of an unknown commodity. He began his career as a light heavyweight, but after a nearly five-year layoff between 2014 and 2019, he returned as a heavyweight, where he has won four of his last five outings and captured championship gold in the Superfight MMA promotion. Film shows the Australian with a rugby background has decent hands and is offensively inclined on the mat, though he might be a little undersized in the big man’s division. This will be a huge step up for Kei. Weird things tend to happen in the PFL, but look for Goltsov to impose his will for a submission or TKO victory.

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Heavyweights

Klidson Abreu (15-5, 0-1 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-170) vs. Adam Keresh (5-0, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+140): After a stint with Bellator that featured three finishes in as many appearances, Israel’s Keresh earned a PFL contract with yet another stoppage, this time against Dana White’s Contender Series alum Chad Johnson on the Challenger Series. Keresh is quite nimble for his size, and his kicks are dangerous—witness the head kick that toppled Kirill Sidelnikov in Bellator. If he secures top control, his ground-and-pound is formidable, as well. With mostly quick victories under his belt, there is still plenty to be learned about Keresh. Abreu, who was overwhelmed by ground-and-pound from Jamelle Jones in his PFL debut, is still testing the waters at heavyweight after a UFC stint at 205 pounds in which he was victorious in just one of four outings. The Brazilian is a willing brawler with solid submission skills, but his wrestling is not typically good enough to dictate the terms of the fight, especially against larger opponents at heavyweight. Keresh by KO/TKO is the pick.

Featherweights

Sheymon Moraes (13-5, 2-1 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-180) vs. Boston Salmon (8-3, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+150): Moraes was once a highly-regarded prospect during his World Series of Fighting tenure, but he has been up-and-down since a title fight against Marlon Moraes that probably came a little too soon. The 31-year-old Black House representative remains a dangerous striker who throws the majority of his shots with full power and is capable of finishing with both his hands and feet. At times, Moraes’ patience can regress into inactivity, costing him rounds in the process. Salmon’s UFC tenure was a disaster, as he was blown out in two appearances. He is a skilled striker with an educated jab, but he does not present as much danger as Moraes in exchanges. Moraes lands the more significant offense and eventually hurts Salmon for a KO/TKO win.

Featherweights

Alejandro Flores Garcia (19-3, 1-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-125) vs. Saba Bolaghi (14-2-1, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-105): After falling to Rafael Alves on Dana White’s Contender Series, Garcia was successful—if not overly impressive—in a split-decision triumph against Carl Deaton in his PFL debut in August. The 30-year-old Mexican boasts a long jab, a full array of kicks and solid movement, but he is not a devastating finisher. He will lock horns with Bolaghi, a wrestler of Iranian descent who is based in Germany, where he was a training partner of Daniel Weichel’s at Team Spirit MMA. Bolaghi has plenty of five-round experience on the regional circuit, so stamina should not be an issue. He is the type of wrestler who favors control, so this could come down to who can fight at their preferred range. Bolaghi will not fear his opponent’s power, which will allow him to close the distance and make this one a bit of a grinder. Bolaghi by decision is the pick.