Preview: PFL 2 ‘Pacheco vs. Budd’

Women’s Featherweights

Martina Jindrova (6-3, 2-1 PFL | -240) vs. Amber Leibrock (6-4, 0-0 PFL | +190): Jindrova enjoyed a nice campaign for most of 2022, following a victory on the PFL Challenger Series with a pair of wins in PFL regular-season bouts. None of that could prepare her for Kayla Harrison, however, and the Czech fighter was subsequently steamrolled in a first-round submission loss. There is no shame in that loss for the kickboxing and muay thai stylist, whose striking arsenal includes a solid jab, varied kicking game and knees in the clinch. Leibrock has won three straight contests—including one under the Invicta Fighting Championships banner—after a rough 1-3 stint in Bellator MMA. The 35-year-old Combat Sports Academy representative has faced tough opposition over the course of her career and should be able to keep things competitive against Jindrova. Leibrock wins via closely contested decision.

Heavyweights

Marcelo Nunes (9-1, 1-0 PFL | -225) vs. Maurice Greene (10-7, 0-1 PFL | +185): After winning his first three UFC appearances, Greene has fallen on hard times with a 2-5 mark in his last seven professional outings. This includes a unanimous decision loss to Denis Goltsov in his PFL debut, a bout where he was taken down repeatedly and controlled without much issue. Nunes was competing at 185 pounds when he suffered his lone career defeat to ex-Bellator champion Rafael Lovato Jr. in 2016, but he resurfaced some four years later as a heavyweight, where he has compiled a four-bout finishing streak. The Robert Drysdale-trained Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt is likely one of the PFL’s most skilled big men on the canvas, making him an intriguing new entry into the 2023 heavyweight field. Nunes will have to navigate a seven-inch reach disadvantage against Greene, who does possess some kickboxing ability. However, “The Crochet Boss” has not proven he can consistently control the range, even at 6-foot-7, and his defensive wrestling is lacking once opponents get inside. That does not bode well for him against Nunes. While Greene has an active guard and is capable of threatening with submissions, any extended grappling sequence will not be in his favor. Nunes wins by submission.

Heavyweights

Michal Andryszak (25-10, 0-0 PFL | -350) vs. Patrick Brady (5-0, 0-0 PFL | +275): Andryszak is a veteran of the European scene with experience in organizations such as KSW, Absolute Championship Berkut and Cage Warriors Fighting Championship. Despite being nearly a decade younger than his opponent, the Pole is far more seasoned against quality opposition. The 39-year-old Brady made his professional debut a little less than two years ago. History shows that age does not matter as much at heavyweight, but Brady, a former Art of War titleholder, will be facing a significant step up in competition from previous foes. With that sad, Andryszak fights usually end quickly—whether they are going in his favor or otherwise—giving Brady the proverbial puncher’s chance. Whoever can impose his will early is quite likely to earn the finish, but Andryszak seems like the safer bet. He wins by KO/TKO within two rounds.

Women’s Featherweights

Karolina Sobek (4-0, 0-0 PFL | -175) vs. Evelyn Martins (4-0, 0-0 PFL | +145): Poland’s Sobek enters her debut with three scarf hold armlock victories to her credit, including one over current PFL competitor Martina Jindrova. It is also worth noting that Sobek has some bareknuckle experience, so she is not afraid to mix it up on the feet. Martins steps in for Amanda Leve on short notice after winning a pair of bouts on the PFL Challenger Series. This will be Martins third fight in approximately three months, so it will be interesting to see if she will be feeling the effects of such a demanding schedule. At just 20 years old, Martins has ample room for growth, but this might be a tough ask on short notice. The Sobek wins a hard-fought decision.

Women’s Featherweights

Marina Mokhnatkina (8-3, 2-1 PFL | -500) vs. Yoko Higashi (8-2, 0-0 PFL | +375): Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Mokhnatkina’s PFL tenure thus far was her ability neutralize two-time champ Kayla Harrison on the canvas and make it to the final bell in a decision defeat. A return to 145 pounds should serve the six-time combat sambo champion well, and it seems likely that her blend of wrestling, grappling and experience will be too much for Higashi to handle. Outside of a pair of wins over Reina Miura, the former Deep Jewels titleholder has largely faced overmatched opposition in victory, and at 37 years old, it is not likely that she is going to make drastic improvements at this point in her career. Mokhnatkina by decision or submission is the pick.

Amateur Lightweights

Biaggio Ali Walsh (-600) vs. Isaiah Figueroa (+425): As the grandson of the great Muhammad Ali, Walsh helps add name value to any PFL card, but it will be interesting to see what the league’s plan is for the young prospect going forward. Walsh knocked out an overmatched Tom Graesser in 45 seconds at the PFL World Championships in November, and the organization is not setting him up to fail here, either. Walsh gets it done again inside the distance against Figueroa, but the real question is, will PFL continue to hold amateur bouts going forward, or is Walsh’s professional debut imminent?

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Pacheco vs. Budd
Cappelozza vs. Scheffel
Goltsov vs. De Castro
Kuniev vs. Ferreira
Ladd vs. Kolesnyk
The Prelims