Preview: PFL 9 ‘Collard vs. Burgos’

Welterweights

Sadibou Sy (15-6-2, 9-4-2 PFL) vs. Carlos Leal Miranda (19-4, 3-1 PFL)

Miranda has lost just once in his last 14 professional outings. That defeat came against Sy—the eventual welterweight champion—in the 2022 postseason. Miranda pressured the Swede with heavy punches throughout the contest, but Sy’s countering ability and stout takedown defense ultimately made the difference. The Brazilian’s tendency to force the issue makes him an interesting matchup for Sy, whose lack of volume can sometimes be to his detriment.

While Sy has seen a number of close decisions on the scorecards, the 2023 season has showcased his penchant for the spectacular: He vanquished Jarrah Al-Silawi with a knee to the body at PFL 3 before finishing Shane Mitchell with a spinning wheel kick at PFL 6. The 36-year-old Sy has won six straight in the league thanks to his skilled jab, arsenal of kicks and increasingly stout takedown defense. Sy’s countering style has worked well for him, and he usually has a reach advantage against most of his opponents, which allows him to pick his spots to attack.

Miranda will face an eight-inch reach deficit in the rematch, but his willingness to crowd Sy means the Swede will not have room to get off some of his more spectacular kicks. Still, Miranda will have to navigate his opponent’s jab and try to avoid being too reckless with winging punches, because that is where Sy is most likely to find openings to counter. With that said, Miranda is durable enough to force a brawl, and his ability to keep Sy off-balance defending power punches and takedowns can work in his favor; it arguably won him the second round in their first meeting. All it would take is for something to land clean to shift momentum this time around.

It will be interesting to see what adjustments Miranda makes in the rematch, but aggression has been his forte. Against a rangy adversary like Sy, he has no other choice but to apply pressure. Sy is a tough matchup for Miranda, and it will take something big landed by the Brazilian to turn the tide in his favor. That is a big ask. Sy wins another decision.

Jump To »
Collard vs. Burgos
Aubin-Mercier vs. Miranda
Sy vs. Miranda
Magomedkerimov vs. Renfro
Walsh vs. Davis
The Prelims