Gracie Replaces Madge in PFL Playoffs, Meets Umalatov on Aug. 23

The Professional Fighters League welterweight playoffs have a new entrant.

The promotion announced on Sunday that Don Madge has pulled out of his semifinal bout against Magomed Umalatov due to an undisclosed injury. As a result, Neiman Gracie will step in and face Umalatov on Aug. 23. Additionally, Luca Poclit, who was originally slated to fight Gracie, will remain on the card against Eric Alequin.

PFL 9 takes place at The Anthem in Washington, D.C., and features semifinal bouts at featherweight and welterweight. The evening’s main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while prelims stream on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Gracie went 1-1 during his 2024 PFL campaign. After dropping a unanimous verdict to Goiti Yamauchi at PFL 3, the Bellator MMA veteran rebounded to outpoint Madge in his second outing at PFL 6 on June 28.

Undefeated in 16 professional bouts, Umalatov is still seeking his first PFL championship appearance. During the most recent regular season, the 32-year-old Russian defeated Andrey Koreshkov via unanimous decision before scoring a first-round submission of Brennan Ward.