Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 5: Semifinals

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament LIVE Thursday, June 12 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

Welterweights
Magomed Umalatov (17-1) vs. Anthony Ivy (15-7)
Odds: Umalatov (-1600); Ivy (+850)

Umalatov was dismantled in the 2024 PFL Championships, but the gifted Russian welterweight could be primed for a bounce-back. Don’t expect Ivy to make it easy, though. The San Antonio native has finished his last seven opponents and could pose a serious problem for Umalatov on the feet.

Welterweights
Joseph Luciano (9-3) vs. Sarek Shields (6-2)
Odds: Luciano (-300); Shields (+225)

Luciano dropped a decision to Logan Storley in the opening round of the tournament back in April, but the Australian submission specialist is healthy and wants to stay active. Sheilds hails from Oregon and is making his PFL debut coming off a first-round win by brabo choke last July. Shields comes to fight and rarely goes to a decision, win or lose.

Featherweights
Jeremy Kennedy (19-6) vs. Adam Borics (19-3)
Odds: Borics (-180); Kennedy (+150)

Despite his three-fight skid, there’s still gas in the tank for Kennedy. The 32-year-old Canadian gave undefeated contender Movlid Khaybulaev all he could handle before falling short via split decision. Borics was TKOed in the first round by Jesus Pinedo in his last outing but comes into this fight boasting a win over Kennedy from 2021.

Featherweights
Asael Adjoudj (9-1) vs. Yves Landu (21-9)
Odds: N/A

Adjoudj carries the momentum of a nine-fight win streak capped off by a third-round submission last November. The 38-year-old Landu is 12 years older than Adjoudj but boasts a resume deep with quality performances. Landu hasn’t lost in four years, but only nearly escaped defeat with back-to-back split decisions in his last two fights.

Featherweights
Alexi Pergande (5-0) vs. Mike Bardsley (5-1)
Odds: Pergande (-700); Bardsley (+500)

Pergande hails from Nashville and brings an undefeated record into the Smartcage. Throughout his journey, the Kill Cliff FC product has proven to be a capable threat on the ground (two submissions). Bardsley fought on a PFL card in 2023, where he was stopped in the second round. Since then, he’s clinched back-to-back finishes.

Bantamweights
Jason Danner (2-0) vs. Nathan Gilmore (4-5)
Odds: Danner (-300); Gilmore (+240)

Danner, a Tennessee native, looks to improve to 3-0 after starting his career with two first-round TKOs. Danner has been fighting since 2018 and has a list of fast stoppages dating back to his amateur career; however, he has been inactive since October. Gilmore lost his first four fights, but the Arkansas bantamweight has since won three straight.

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Jackson vs. Jean
Pinedo vs. Braga
Storley vs. Kikuiri
Khaybulaev vs. Kim
The Prelims