2024 PFL World Championship predictions, preview | Loughnane vs. Khizriev

Adam Guillen has been writing (and translating) for MMAmania.com since 2011, covering the latest UFC, Bellator, PFL and other mixed martial arts (MMA) news and latest happenings throughout the combat sports world.

Professional Fighters League (PFL) is back in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for its 2024 World Championship event early tomorrow (Fri., Nov. 29, 2024) on ESPN+ with a stacked lineup which will also feature the first-ever PFL MENA season championships. The PFL main card winners will each earn a $1 million check, while the PFL MENA winners get $100,000.

Headlining the event will be Brendan Loughnane as he attempts to wins his second Featherweight tournament when he battles unbeaten (17-0) Timur Khizriev. Also, Dakota Ditcheva — who is undefeated at 13-0 — will face off against UFC castaway, Taila Santos, for the women’s Flyweight title in the co-main event.

Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev

In 2022, Brendan Loughane won the PFL 145-pound tournament by defeating Bubba Jenkins via fourth-round technical knockout (TKO), and now he is out to win his second championship. Since that win two years ago, Loughnane has gone an impressive 4-1 with three finishes. But his road to a second championship win will not come easy because he is facing an absolute monster in Khizriev. The Russian grappler is undefeated at 17-0, with three of those wins coming under the Bellator banner and three more with PFL. The only knock on him is that out of those 17 victories he has only managed to secure four stoppages, three by knockout and one via submission. That’s because Khizriev’s forte is the grappling department, where he shines better than most. Loughnane’s best shot at winning the $1 million is to keep the distance and try to keep it on the feet because once it hits the ground it’s game over.

Prediction: Khizriev via unanimous decision

Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos

After losing back to back fights to Valentina Shevchenko and Erin Blanchfield, Santos left the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) ranks and joined PFL. And it proved to be a good move because she has since won three straight fights, which includes a victory over former Bellator MMA Flyweight champion, Liz Carmouche. Now, she is one more win away from getting the biggest payday of her career and her first major world title. Standing in her way is rising sensation, Dakota Ditcheva, who is undefeated at 13-0. During that span, she was stopped 12 of her foes, 11 via knockout. Indeed, the kickboxing specialist has put her striking skills to good use. During her time with PFL, she has won six of her seven bouts in the very first round. If she can take Santos out in the manner, her stock will blow up and bigger fights and paydays could be around the corner.

Prediction: Ditcheva via third-round TKO

Impa Kasanganay vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov

Like Brendan Loughnane, Impa Kasanganay is attempting to win his second championship, only he will look to go back-to-back after winning the whole thing in 2023 by defeating Josh Silveira. He defeated that same man in the semifinals to go to the title fight, as well. He is 9-1 over his last 10 fights and is one of many fighters who have found much success with wins and finances since leaving UFC. His only defeat during his hot streak came against current Bellator Middleweight champion, Johnny Eblen, at the historic “Seize the Throne” event earlier this year. As for Yahshimuradov, after coming up short in his bid to defeat Corey Anderson in the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix quarterfinals back in 2021, he has gone on a stellar run, which includes going 3-0 since making the move to PFL.

Prediction: Yagshimuradov via unanimous decision

Shamil Musaev vs. Magomed Umalatov

One of the more intriguing bouts of the night is the Welterweight championship that will see two undefeated monsters go at it. Musaev is 17-0-1, 3-0 inside the “SmartCage.” He won back-to-back fights against Murad Ramazanov to get to the big fight, and now he is out secure his first major world title, along with the million-dollar check. As for Umalatov, he is also undefeated at 17-0, 8-0 under the PFL banner including wins over Neiman Gracie, Andrey Koreshkov and Brennan Ward. He has 11 knockout wins to his credit, so despite being a grappling expert like his opponent, his is very skilled with his hands. All of that said, I do expect this to be a grappling heavy bout that will go all the way.

Prediction: Umalatov via unanimous decision

Brent Primus vs. Gadzhi Rabadanov

To get to the finals, former Bellator Lightweight champion, Brent Primus, defeated 2023 finalist Clay Collard, his third straight win under the PFL banner. Now, Primus is one win away from securing another major world title in a different organization, which will help him make up for his lost to current Bellator 155-pound king, Umar Nurmagomedov, at Bellator 300. He will have to be at the top of his game, however, because Rabadanov is scorching hot with nine straight wins, five under the Bellator umbrella and three with PFL. Both men are on a roll and both are out to secure the bag. This one should be fun.

Prediction: Rabadanov via unanimous decision

Denis Goltsov vs. Oleg Popov

One of the fights that could provide the biggest payout for the winner is the Heavyweight showdown between Goltsov and Popov. That’s because aside from winning the $1 million, the victor will more than likely be the next opponent for Francis Ngannou, who made an impressive PFL debut by starching last year’s winner, Renan Ferreira, in lightning-quick fashion a month ago. And as it was reported when Ngannou inked a deal with PFL, all of his foes would get paid at least $2 million for facing him. That’s why there is a lot on the line in the opening fight of the main card. Goltsov lost to the aforementioned Renan Ferreira in the 2023 finals via second-round knockout, his lone defeat in his last nine outings. As for Popov. he has been on a tear the last six years, winning 17 straight fights in the span, including going 3-0 inside the “SmartCage.”

Prediction: Popov via third-round submission

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