PFL Europe 3 Full Card Breakdown & Predictions (Patreon)

Welterweight, Cédric Doumbé (4-0) vs. Jordan Zébo (4-0)

Signing Cedric Doumbe was a big deal for PFL. I don't understand giving him a wrestler like Zebo in his promotional debut. Although it is a risky fight I am picking Doumbe to take this. Zebo may be a power wrestler but he's not a technical wrestler. He's not the best cage wrestler or a chain wrestler. It's gonna be hard to take Doumbe down when Doumbe is gonna be constantly moving. Doumbe is lightyears better on the feet and that will show in space when Zebo can't close the distance. Although I think there is value in Zebo the pick is Doumbe by KO late in round two.

Welterweight, Abdoul Abdouraguimov (16-1) vs. Brad Wheeler (18-13)

Not sure how Doumbe gets a tough opponent in his PFL debut but Abdouraguimov is getting a journeyman. Wheeler is 33 and is coming off a four-year layoff. Even when he was active he wasn't performing at the level is at. I predict Abdouraguimov by submission in round one but he should win this any way he wants.

Light-heavyweight, Anthony Salamone (8-1) vs. Jakob Nedoh (6-1)

I scouted Salamone years ago and he's literally the same fighter today. He's not developed at all. The only thing to change is he moved up a weightclass. Salamone is a creditionald Greco Roman wrestler but it hasn't translated once he's fought better competition. This is a fight Nedoh should clearly win. Where Salamone is best being on the mat Nedoh is even better. Nedoh is getting better on the feet where Salamone is stuck in the mud. I'd be surprised if Nedoh lost and I predict him to win by TKO in round two.

Light-heavyweight, Simeon Powell (8-0) vs. Daniel Lodero (3-2)

Powell had an easy fight initially and still has one in Ladero. Ladero is 35, lost his lost two by TKO, and hasn't won a fight since 2019. The fight could be tricky if he gets it to the fight but I'm sure Powell isn't gonna let let happen. Powell should be able to stay in range and pick apart Lodero until he finds the finish. My prediction is Powell by first round KO.

Flyweight, Dakota Ditcheva (8-0) vs. Cornelia Holm (6-5)

This is no doubt this is the toughest test in the career of Ditcheva. Holm may not have a good-looking record but she's fought a lot of good fighters. Even though she only has three more fights than Ditcheva she's way more seasoned in the cage. Holm is live to upset a lot of women but Ditcheva isn't one of them. Ditcheva is arguably the best female prospect in the world. The only one I would put about her would be Fatima Kline. Ditcheva should be able to use her range on the outside and bully Holm around in the clinch on the inside. I think Ditcheva clears but being -2500 is a bit insane because Holm isn't a scrub like she's been fighting. My pick is Ditcheva by decision.

Welterweight, Laureano Staropoli (12-5) vs. Baba Boundjou Nadjombe (8-4)

Staropoli is a former UFC fighter who is 3-0 since his release. He may not be at that UFC level but he's a good fighter. The three guys he just beat are much better than Nabjombe is so this is a step down. He should be able to dominate this fight to a finish. Staropoli by TKO is my prediction and I think it will happen within two rounds.

Bantamweight, Ali Taleb (9-0) vs. Khurshed Kakhorov (10-1)

This is arguably the best fight of the card. Taleb is a Muay Thai/kickboxer-based fighter that will snatch your neck if given the chance. He fights with his hands high and lets everything go. Taleb puts his hands together well and has some pop behind his punches. Being a Muay Thai guy Taleb of course favors knees, leg kicks, and elbows. He even has a decent ground game if needed. Not many guys can go toe to toe with Taleb. Kakhorov will indeed try. Kakhorov is a chaotic fighter that brings pressure and power. Everything Kakhorov throws is with everything he has. Kakhorov can end the fight with his hands, knees, elbows, kicks, and ground and pound. He’ll throw a bit wild but puts everything together rapidly. Kakhorov is just an ultra-dangerous guy who could catch you at any point. In a striking fight, I'll always favor technique over the mors wild and aggressive fighter. I feel good about picking Taleb because he's looked great. Kakhorov does get hit a lot and his striking defense struggles in general. I predict Taleb to get the first-round knockout due to being the higher-level striker.

Bantamweight, Frans Mlambo vs. Moktar Benkaci

Benkaci has had a rough two fights in PFL but before that, he was on a nice run. He may have eight losses but those but one were early in his career. He isn't getting an easy fight as Mlambo is a legit talent. Mlambo is an excellent boxer. His hands are really sharp and has a good understanding of his shot placement. I do think Benkaci is live for a knockout but Mlambo is clearly the better fighter and would win this 9/10 times.

Lightweight, Dylan Tuke (6-3) vs. Jakub Kaszuba (9-0)

I believe Tuke is getting a little more respect from his last fight than he deserves. I think it was more so that Connor Hughes looked terrible besides Tuke looking good. I don't rate Kaszuba highly at all but I strongly favor him in this fight. Both are wrestlers/grapplers and Kaszuba is the superior wrestler and his strength should take over. Tuke is just so bad in my opinion after rewatching his fights. 

Lightweight, Yazid Chouchane (9-3) vs. Henrique Madureira (5-2)

Of all the prospects in Brazil to showcase I'm not sure how they found this Madureira guy. I don't think Chouchane is too good at all but Madureira looks like one of those Brazilians that guys pad their record against. Madureira is sloppy and leaves himself open way too much. I expect Chouchane to eventually catch Madureira in an exchange and swarm to a finish. Madureira is 34 and hasn't fought in two years and will lost this fight.

Lightweight, John Mitchell (7-1) vs. Geysim Derouiche (6-3)

Mitchell was supposed to fight someone else but he pulled out and now he's getting a familiar opponent. He's rematching a guy he just in July. Not only did Mitchell beat Derouiche he dominated him. Not sure why this time in would be any different but this time I think Mitchell finishes him at some point.

Flyweight, Shanelle Dyer (2-0) vs. Luisa Fernanda Cifuentes (4-2)

This is a showcase fight to have Dyer show out in her PFL debut. Dyer is very promising and as she is green that's expected with just two pro fights. She's an athletic and explosive kickboxer who is gonna style on this girl. I believe the odds are justified because this fight isn't gonna go to too well for the Colombian.