PFL Recap: Looking Back Over First Half Of 2022 Season

The PFL recently completed the first half of the 2022 regular season.

Six different weight classes took to the SmartCage over three events, ranging from the heavyweight division down to the women’s lightweight ranks.

And while many of the favorites prevailed in their bouts, we still saw some upsets.

Before the PFL returns next month with PFL 4 on June 17, let us take a look back at those events. The next three PFL cards are all set for the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta.

Recapping PFL 1-3

At PFL 1, Clay Collard flexed his might with a decision win over Jeremy Stephens. Collard, who took to the boxing ring during the COVID break, dominated, winning all three rounds.

Raush Manfio, the reigning lightweight champion, picked up a third round finish, with Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Alexander Martinez joining Collard and Manfio with wins.

Like Manfion, reigning light heavyweight titleholder Antonio Carlos Junior opened his defense with a win. Carlos submitted Delan Monte in just 29 seconds.

Cory Hendricks upset Emiliano Sordi, Marthin Hamlet, Omari Akmedov, Rob Wilkinson and Simeon Powell were also light heavyweight winners.

From there, PFL 2 saw the big boys step it up. Bruno Cappeloza, the 2021 heavyweight champion, earned a first round finish. Renan Ferreira, Denis Goltsov, Ante Delija and Klison Abrey added wins in the division.

At featherweight, it was Chris Wade knocking off former champion Lance Palmer, while Brendan Loughnane, Bubba Jenkins, Sheymon Moraes and Alejandro Flores also added wins.

The most recent event, PFL 3, was another showcase for Kayla Harrison. The unbeaten and Olympic gold medalist showed she can go the distance, dominating Marina Mokhnatkina in the main event.

Larissa Pacheco, Olena Kolesnyk and Martina Jindrova had wins in the division, while Genah Fabian downed Julia Budd but missed weight.

Anthony Pettis and Rory MacDonald, former champions looking for their first taste of PFL gold, earned opening round submission wins at lightweight and welterweight.

Dilano Taylor, Sadibou Sy and Jarrah Al Silawi were other winners.