PFL’s Antonio Carlos Junior Stakes His Claim At 205 Pounds

PFL’s Antonio Carlos Junior positioned himself for a big 2022 with his close in 2021.

The 31-year-old Brazilian claimed the 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Championship with a victory over Marthin Hamlet. The two met in the finals following a long and interesting regular season.

Carlos himself entered into the PFL in April and left with a submission win over Tom Lawlor. A no-contest with Vinny Magalhaes followed.

In the semifinals, Carlos scored a decision vs. Emiliano Sordi before adding his 10th career submission win at the hands of Hamlet.

The submission specialist locked in a rear-naked choke in the first round to earn the biggest title of his career.

As a former UFC fighter, Carlos knows just what kind of competition is out there at light heavyweight. While Jon Jones has left the division, fighters now have the opportunity to stake their own claim to being No. 1.

For Carlos to do that, he’ll need more of the same kind of incredible performances that left him unbeaten in 2021.

The veteran started his career all the way back in 2013 and reeled off four consecutive wins. The final one in that run resulted in the title of Ultimate Fighter: Brazil being added to his resume.

Carlos scored wins over Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Edgard Castaldelli Filho and Guilherme Viana before besting Vitor Miranda in the finals.

He has proven to be a strong regular season and tournament-style fighter.

And Carlos also showed his resilience by reeling off a 3-0 record with the no-contest after three tough decision defeats went against him.

Look for more headline-making wins from Carlos in 2022 when the next PFL season amps up.