Week one of the 2021 PFL Playoffs is in the books and we are on to week two. With the preliminary fights completed, it’s time for the main card. Reigning lightweight champion Kayla Harrison looks to begin her title defense against a game challenger in Genah Fabian. Also, Bruno Cappelozza and Jamelle Jones face off in a battle of newcomers as one of the two looks to capture their first PFL title. Rounding out the main card, Mariana Morais steps in for top-seeded Larissa Pacheco, who missed weight prior to the playoffs. Now, the fifth-seeded fighter has a chance to make the $1 million final if she can take out Taylor Guardado.

Denis Goltsov vs. Ante Delija

Division: Heavyweight

Betting Odds: Goltsov (-310) | Delija (+245)

Ryan’s Scorecard: Delija def. Goltsov (29-28)

Official Scorecard: Delija def. Goltsov (Unanimous Decision)

Round One: Goltsov entered the fight as a heavy favorite, but Delija has shown through one round that he can hang with the second-seed. Spending much of the first 90 seconds against change, Delija pushed Goltsov more into a brawl rather than a tactical match. During the second half of the round, Delija was able to come from the ground and mount Goltsov to close out the round. Not to be forgotten, Goltsov was hit with a jab that seemingly cut his nose. Going forward, he’ll have to manage that carefully.

Round Two: The first minute of round two was pretty difficult for Delija. Goltsov just leaned on top on him and threw more than dozen short blows. Delija was able to get to his feet and then mount Goltsov. While he spent much of the later portion of the round on top, Delija didn’t truly accomplish from the top position.

Round Three: Delija was able to control the ground game en route to what could be the biggest upset of the playoffs thus far. Goltsov entered the fight with the reputation of being a menacing knockout artist, but he was unable to control the pace of this fight from the opening moments. Delija mucked up the fight, slowed things down and remained in the mount position when it mattered.

Taylor Guardado vs. Mariana Morais 

Division: Lightweight

Betting Odds: Guardado (-110) | Morais (+145)

Ryan’s Scorecard: Guardado def. Morais (29-28)

Official Scorecard: Guardado def. Morais (Unanimous Decision)

Round One: Round one proved to be fairly even with both women delivering takedowns and both women throwing heavy strikes. With that said, Guardado has clearly added one new thing to her arsenal, leg kicks. As mentioned on the broadcast, Guardado threw more leg kicks than she did during her two regular-season matches. After a while, those leg kicks could begin to take a toll on Morais.

Round Two: The second round was also competitive, but Guardado appeared to be just a step ahead of Morais. The two women spent a fair amount of time exchanging punches at the center of the octagon, but Morais’s punches are wider and looping while Guardado’s are more accurate and short. Also, Guardado continued to throw leg kicks while also landing a takedown to start the round. Morais is not out of it, but she definitely needs a submission or a knockout.

Round Three: Morais appeared to be out of gas at the beginning of round three. After two rounds of taking leg kicks, she switched to a southpaw stance in order to protect her lead leg. With that said, Morais was able to make up some ground in the middle of the round by landing a takedown. The Brazilian fighter hammered away with several shots, but she wasn’t able to get the stoppage.

Bruno Cappelozza vs. Jamelle Jones

Division: Heavyweight

Betting Odds: Cappelozza (-225) | Jones (+165)

Ryan’s Scorecard: Cappelozza led Jones (10-9)

Official Scorecard: Cappelozza def. Jones (Knockout)

Round One: Jones kicked off this fight at a frantic pace. He threw a few wild shots and also attempted a takedown that resulted in an early cup check. In return, Cappelozza landed a stiff right hand and a pair of strong leg kicks. As the round progressed, the pace slowed down, but the top-seeded heavyweight continued to control the fight. Cappelozza walked Jones down and landed a few more leg kicks. With Jones continuing to back up, it’s hard to see him winning the fight if it continues like this.

Round Two: Things didn’t get much better in round two. With Jones’s legs taking damage from repeated leg kicks, he attempted to switch his stance, but that lasted for only a moment as the onslaught continued. Cappelozza eventually landed a jab that stunned Jones before he fell to the ground and covered up.

Kayla Harrison vs. Genah Fabian

Division: Lightweight

Betting Odds: Harrison (-4000) | Fabian (+950)

Ryan’s Scorecard: N/A

Official Scorecard: Harrison def. Fabian (Knockout)