Professional Fighters League (PFL) 11: The Championship Official Results, Photographs and Fighter Quotes

NEW YORK – In front of a jampacked crowd at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) crowned inaugural champions in the welterweight, heavyweight, light heavyweight, lightweight, featherweight and middleweight at the 2018 Championship. Each winner claimed their respective titles after a two-month playoff, earning a $1M prize.

“We are thrilled to have six deserving champions earn their titles and an unprecedented $1M in front of a great New York crowd on New Years’ Eve,” said League President Carlos Silva. “Each of them fought their way through the grueling playoff system to come out as champions in their respective brackets. We’re looking forward to what 2019 holds as our inaugural season proved that the PFL’s unique format works and promotes enticing matchups culminating in one champion.”

Chicago native and 2-seed Louis Taylor scored the first victory of the night via TKO against 1-seed Abus Magomedov with a vicious left hook, 33 seconds into the first round to claim the middleweight title.

Lance Palmer remained undefeated during the 2018 PFL season and took home the featherweight crown by defeating fellow American and 1-seed Steven Siler by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-43, 49-46).

In a thrilling bout, Brazilian Natan Schulte became the first No. 1-seed to win his weight class, outlasting Russian Rashid Magomedov by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46) to win the lightweight title.

6-seed American Sean O’Connell scored the biggest upset of the night, shocking 1-seed Vinny Magalhaes by TKO (corner stoppage) after the third round. After claiming the light heavyweight title and $1M prize, O’Connell announced his retirement from fighting.

Brazilian Philipe Lins finished the 2018 PFL season unbeaten by dominating Josh Copeland to claim the heavyweight crown. Lins won via TKO (referee stoppage) at 33 seconds of the fourth round.

To cap off the night, Russian Magomed Magomedkerimov upset 1-seed Ray Cooper by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:18 of the second round to claim the welterweight crown.

“This was a great night for the PFL and the sport of MMA,” said PFL President of Fighting Operations Ray Sefo. “Our six champions earned everything they got tonight. They worked hard all year long and I am happy for them and even more excited to get started on the 2019 season.”

To round out the exhilarating evening of Championship fights, two-time Olympic judo gold medalist Kayla Harrison remained undefeated in her MMA career by defeating Moriel Charneski by TKO (referee stoppage) at 3:39 of the first round of a special featured fight.

Professional Fighters League (PFL) 11: The Championship official results, photographs and fighter quotes: 

Welterweight World Title:

Magomed Magomedkerimov defeated Ray Cooper III by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:18 of the second round to win the PFL welterweight title. With the win Magomedkerimov wins the $1 million championship prize.

Heavyweight World Title:

Philipe Lins defeated Josh Copeland by TKO (referee stoppage) at 33 seconds of the fourth round to claim the PFL heavyweight title. The victory earns Lins the $1 million championship purse.

Lins:

“With the family I have and this accomplishment, I am the happiest man on earth. I still cant believe this has happened to me. I was close to retiring before this opportunity. I’m so happy.”

Light Heavyweight World Title:

Sean O’Connell defeated Vinny Magalhaes by TKO (corner stoppage) at 5:00 of the third round to win the PFL light heavyweight championship. The win earns O’Connell the $1 million championship purse.

Sean O’Connell:

“I want to thank PFL for giving me a second chance. For everyone that believes in something, keep pushing, you can do it. It’s all in your head. If I want to do it, you can.”

Lightweight Special Feature Fight:

Kayla Harrison defeated Moriel Charneski by TKO (referee stoppage) at 3:39 of the first round. The victory runs her record to 3-0 as a professional and will be part of the 2019 PFL women’s lightweight division.

Harrison:

“Wrapping up 2018 with some beautiful judo throws was pretty cool and I got to use some ground and pound too. Now I’m 3-0 and I can’t wait to fight in the 2019 PFL Season.”

Lightweight World Title Fight:

Natan Schulte defeated Rashid Magomedov by unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46 and 48-46) to win the PFL lightweight title. The Brazilian takes home the $1 million championship purse.

Schulte:

“This is the happiest moment of my life, no doubt. I fought the best this season and earned this championship. There are no words to describe this moment, I’m so happy!”

Featherweight World Title Fight:

Lance Palmer defeated Steven Siler by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45 and 49-46) to win the PFL featherweight title and the $1 million championship prize.

Palmer:

“The plan was plain and simple, 31 hard years of work paying off. I do this is for my family who means everything to me and for myself. We did this together and I’m so happy to be able to share this with all of them.”

Middleweight World Title Fight:

Louis Taylor knocked out Abus Magomedov at 33 seconds of the first round to secure the very first PFL title. The middleweight champ takes home the $1 million prize.

Taylor:

“Regardless of the million dollars, I’ve been in this game for 11 years, I felt I owed it to myself to be a world champion. A big thank you to the PFL for all the love. Thanks for all the love PFL.”

Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.