Preview: PFL 9 ‘Collard vs. Burgos’

Welterweights Magomed Magomedkerimov (32-6, 14-1 PFL) vs. Solomon Renfro (11-3, 1-0 PFL)

A potentially intriguing matchup between Magomedkerimov and Magomed Umalatov fell by the wayside when the latter was forced to withdraw from the PFL postseason. Instead, Magomedkerimov will lock horns with Renfro, a training partner of Shane Burgos at Team Tiger Schulmann. The 26-year-old known as “The Black Dragon” has experience competing for Dana White’s Contender Series, Cage Fury Fighting Championships and the Legacy Fighting Alliance. In his PFL debut, he scored a second-round knock of former two-division Brave Combat Federation champion Jarrah Al-Silawi. Renfro is a solid boxer with decent athleticism and movement. He lands well to the head and body, throws combinations and has flashed decent power on more than one occasion. Renfro has not faced a lot of high-level wrestlers and grapplers, but current UFC talent Mike Malott was able to impose his will relatively easily in a first-round submission win at CFFC 91 in 2020.

Magomedkerimov might have had more than one PFL title by now were it not for a combination of visa issues, injuries and one Ray Cooper III upset. Regardless, he is likely the favorite in this year’s welterweight field. The 33-year-old Dagestani is a disciplined, technical boxer with fight-finishing power in his overhand right. More recently, he authored a head kick knockout of Ben Egli at PFL 3, but he is not likely to take chances that put him in peril during exchanges. In this matchup, Magomedkerimov will be best served to close the distance and force Renfro to defend against clinches and takedowns. The American Top Team product is a suffocating grappler who will methodically work to land ground-and-pound and hunt for submissions from top position.

While Renfro certainly has some interesting tools, he will struggle against the pressure and control of his opponent. Magomedkerimov wins by decision or submission.

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