Heavyweights
Ante Delija (19-5, 3-2 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-650) vs. Matheus Scheffel (15-7, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+425): While Delija’s ties to Mirko Filipovic will always be referenced, the Croatian has utilized a grinding approach more often than relying on his strikes to find success in recent bouts. The judoka can be relentless in his pursuit of the takedown, though to his detriment, some can be poorly disguised, and he will use positional control and powerful ground-and-pound to carry him to victory. Delija’s defensive wrestling is not great, but he also does not panic in bad positions; and he is capable of sweeping and reversing back into top position, where he can threaten opponents with a decent array of chokes. Scheffel will move up to heavyweight for his PFL debut, where he figures to be somewhat undersized. “Buffa” is a willing striker who does not hesitate to flurry with punches when he sees an opening. While that is effective when an adversary is reeling, it also leaves him open to counters—a serious danger when faced with the power of bigger men at heavyweight. Scheffel’s brawling tendencies will leave him exposed for counters or allow Delija to enter the clinch and grind away, setting the stage for takedowns and ground-and-pound. Delija gradually imposes his will on his way to a TKO or submission triumph.Featherweights
Bubba Jenkins (16-5, 2-1 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-260) vs. Kyle Bochniak (11-5, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+200): Bochniak is a wrestle-boxer who had a tough run in the UFC but has rebounded to post a three-fight winning streak against a trio of solid veterans under the XMMA banner. The Broadway Jiu-Jitsu representative will push the pace and attack with low kicks, but closing the distance will not pay off in this assignment. Jenkins, a two-time NCAA All-American wrestler and on the shortlist of PFL favorites at 145 pounds this season, will likely overwhelm his opponent through clinch work, takedowns and ground-and-pound—something he did to two-time PFL champion Lance Palmer—ahead of a clear-cut unanimous decision triumph.Heavyweights
Denis Goltsov (27-7, 5-2 PFL | BETUS ODDS:-550) vs. Sam Kei (8-5, 0-0 PFL | BETUS ODDS:+375): Goltsov, a former Absolute Championship Berkut titleholder with a wealth of experience, saw his title hopes dashed in an upset loss to Ante Delija in the 2021 PFL semifinals, as he had no answers for the takedowns and positional control of his opponent. The former combat sambo champion is decently well-rounded, with a solid jab and a varied arsenal of kicks on the feet. His wrestling is best when he is on the offensive, as he will execute takedowns, advance to dominant positions and threaten with chokes. Kei, meanwhile, is something of an unknown commodity. He began his career as a light heavyweight, but after a nearly five-year layoff between 2014 and 2019, he returned as a heavyweight, where he has won four of his last five outings and captured championship gold in the Superfight MMA promotion. Film shows the Australian with a rugby background has decent hands and is offensively inclined on the mat, though he might be a little undersized in the big man’s division. This will be a huge step up for Kei. Weird things tend to happen in the PFL, but look for Goltsov to impose his will for a submission or TKO victory.BetUS.com is offering our listeners an incredible 125% bonus on their deposit for PFL and UFC. Use code SHERDOG and get $2500 in extra money to make fight night even better.