On per week with out the UFC in motion, the cabinet isn’t naked in in the least so far as MMA is anxious. Whereas UFC CEO Dana White and his workers are taking a really well-deserved weekend off after the fireworks of UFC 300 befell this previous Saturday night in Las Vegas, the kitchen continues to be open for the enterprise of aggressive violence.
All of it begins on Friday, the eve of the quarterfinal spherical of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Whereas the Chicago Bulls shall be in motion within the Play-In Match on Wednesday evening (and may very well be dealing with elimination on Friday evening pending the outcomes of Wednesday’s house recreation at United Heart in opposition to the Atlanta Hawks), not all people visiting The Windy Metropolis shall be targeted on roundball.
Wintrust Enviornment, an everyday cease for Bellator MMA, is the location for PFL 3, the final card of the primary half of the league’s sixth common season of motion and first for the reason that PFL bought Bellator final fall. After this occasion, the promotion will take a quick hiatus earlier than returning to the SmartCage on Thursday, June 13 in Uncasville, CT for PFL 4, the second card that includes heavyweights and girls’s lightweights this season.
Koreshkov Fights Umalatov in PFL 3 Most important Occasion
This week, welterweights and featherweights attempt to accumulate factors within the standings as they work towards the playoffs later this summer season. A key 170-lb. combat serves as the main target of the PFL 3 important occasion.
Onetime Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov (27-4 MMA, 0-0 2024 PFL, zero factors within the standings) makes his PFL debut when he takes on Magomed Umalatov (14-0 MMA, 0-0 2024 PFL, zero factors within the standings in Friday’s headliner. The ultimate combat of the primary half of the common season is an marketed most of three rounds at 5 minutes per spherical to shut the present.
It is combat week. 💥 First important occasion at PFL in opposition to a former Bellator champion.
PFL is my house 🏠, and nobody will come and beat me right here. 😤
Let’s go ! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/pYZQRKtkal
— Magomed Umalatov (@umalatovmma) April 15, 2024
2024 PFL 3 Most important Occasion Fighter Comparability
Heading into the PFL 3 important occasion on Friday evening, each fighters stand stage at 6-foot-1. Koreshkov owns a one-inch attain benefit (76 inches to 75 inches) over Umalatov, with the latter having a 43-inch leg attain.
No leg attain data was accessible for Andrey Koreshkov at press time.
Koreshkov Readies for PFL Debut on Friday Night time
Andrey Koreshkov has posted a report of 5-0 over his final 5 fights courting again to 2019. Most lately, he scored a break up determination over Lorenz Larkin (25-8, 2 NC MMA, 7-3, 1 NC Bellator), a UFC alumnus, final July throughout Bellator vs. Rizin 2 in Saitama, Japan.
After the combat, Koreshkov met with the press to debate the win.
“Thanks. I’m feeling superb,” Koreshkov started. “I’m very completely happy as a result of I don’t disappoint my crew, my coach. It’s nice. I’m very completely happy as a result of it’s not my win, not solely my win. It’s the win of my crew, my teammates, my coaches. It’s our large win.”
Within the combat recreation, a winner has to present credit score the place it’s due, and Andrey Koreshkov actually did that final summer season. With him getting into the cage for the primary time within the PFL and the primary time in nearly 9 months, the query of ring rust is there.
How properly will he do with an prolonged hiatus and the way will he deal with the fast turnaround that faces him for PFL 6 developing in late June? He’ll must take it one contest at a time, and it begins with the PFL 3 important occasion this Friday.
Umalatov Seeking to Maintain Unbeaten Run Going
Within the different nook, Magomed Umalatov has but to lose up to now in his profession. Counting beginner MMA, he’s on a 16-fight successful streak.
Final June, he scored a unanimous determination victory over Nayib Lopez (16-1 MMA) throughout PFL 6 to qualify for the playoffs in August earlier than he was compelled to withdraw from them. In a current episode of PFL Combat Camp Confidential, Umalatov mentions that the plan of assault is similar.
“This 12 months shall be more durable, I feel,” Umalatov mentioned, “due to extra robust fighters from Bellator [crossing over to the PFL’s roster]. It is going to be extra fascinating. I’m going to show why I’m one of the best. I’m going to remain undefeated for the season for positive. I’m going to take this belt and I shall be champion.”
This can be a man who’s remained undefeated all all through his skilled profession and one who was set to be within the playoffs two years in a row earlier than exterior circumstances put a untimely finish to the season for him. How will he fare on Friday?
Evaluation, Movie Examine, and Prediction
You’ve bought a traditional power vs. power matchup right here within the PFL 3 important occasion this Friday evening. Each of those males have received a championship prior to now, with Magomed Umalatov taking house the gold in Eagle FC.
Watch Koreshkov’s Kicking Recreation
Andrey Koreshkov is understood for his devastating spinning kicks. As soon as he decides to go that route and makes an attempt it, the combat shall be a achieved deal as soon as it lands.
Vaso Bakocevic discovered this out the laborious manner in 2018. Throughout the first spherical of a scheduled three, Koreshkov pieced Bakocevic up with a mix of strikes. In-between kicks, Koreshkov stalked Bakocevic to maintain him sincere.
A few minute into the spherical, Koreshkov landed an amazing spinning kick to place Bakocevic down in opposition to the cage fence and landed a quick burst of floor and pound to finish the combat.
All it takes Andrey Koreshkov to attain the win on Friday evening within the PFL 3 important occasion is one spinning kick sq. and true.
Magomed Umalatov Can Use Mixtures to Finish the Combat
Within the different nook, Magomed Umalatov has fists of fury and he is aware of find out how to use them. One want look no additional than his combat in opposition to Dilano Taylor final 12 months throughout the common season. With underneath 90 seconds having ticked off the first-round clock, Umalatov uncorked a proper hook, then as Taylor was going backwards, moved in on him to complete off the combat with a two-punch mixture.
If Umalatov lands the primary large blow of the PFL 3 important occasion, it may very well be a wrap.
Remaining Ideas
What a satisfying method to finish the primary half of the common season. Two former champs take step one towards including one other belt to the mantle. Who wins the day?
Prediction: Magomed Umalatov by First-Spherical TKO.
