Preview: PFL 2 ‘Cappelozza vs. Austin’

Featherweights

Chris Wade (20-7, 8-4 PFL) vs. Lance Palmer (22-5, 11-2 PFL)

BETUS ODDS: Wade (-155), Palmer (+125)

Palmer endured a difficult 2021 season, as he saw an 11-bout PFL winning streak come to an end in the form of back-to-back losses to Bubba Jenkins and Movlid Khaybulaev. Perhaps what is more troubling for the four-time NCAA All-American wrestler is that he was outgrappled in both instances. That could be a sign that the 34-year-old is slowing down, or he might simply have been matched with tough competition. The most likely answer? It was a little bit of both. At his best, Palmer dictates the action through takedowns, suffocating top control and ground-and-pound. His offense on the ground occasionally creates openings for positional advancements and chokes, though he is quite content to control his opponents and ride out fights that way. On the feet, Palmer has flashed power but typically lands most of his best shots due to the impending takedown threat. He also has the tendency to throw one shot at a time more than one might like. After two seasons competing at 155 pounds, Wade transitioned to featherweight in 2021 and made it to the PFL final, where he was also stymied by the Khaybulaev buzzsaw. While he is not typically a finisher, Wade is a more versatile striker than Palmer thanks to his ability to implement kicks and knees into his attacks. Wade’s takedown defense is not impenetrable, but he will scramble and threaten submissions to make life difficult for top-control wrestlers, as he did in vanquishing Jenkins in a decision triumph. Both men are quite comfortable going the distance, and it is likely that this fight will come down to Wade’s ability to hustle out of bad positions and force Palmer to work to maintain top control. On paper, it might be the most evenly matched bout on the entire PFL 2 card. Wade’s activity on the mat, blended with just enough striking, helps him eke out a decision.

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