It was just last year when Renan Ferreira looked to be a favorite toward winning the PFL heavyweight title, thanks to his first-round knockout of Jamelle Jones and his (eventually overturned) win against Klidson Abreu during the 2022 regular season. Ferreira, however, saw those hopes come crashing during the semifinals against eventual champion Ante Delija. The holder of the two fastest knockouts in PFL heavyweight history, Ferreira needs a win after a walkover win (originally a unanimous decision loss) against Rizvan Kuniev in April.

 

Similarly, Matheus Scheffel had success last year but fell short of the gold, losing to Delija in the championship fight. In fact, Delija was the only fighter he lost to last season, with Scheffel picking up wins over Bruno Cappelozza and Juan Adams over the course of 2022 — entering the playoffs as an alternate. A former Muay Thai champion, Scheffel looks to bounce back from his walkover win (originally a TKO loss) to Cappelozza in April.

 

A finish in any round for either fighter clinches that fighter a spot in the heavyweight playoffs, so both will be looking to leave this out of the judges’ hands!

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick by Ferreira to start. Scheffel moves around the outside of the cage as the two ready for the other’s power. And the two delivered, firing away in a slugfest until Ferreira landed a pair of right hands before dropping Scheffel with a huge left, clinching a playoff spot in under a minute!

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Renan Ferreira def. Matheus Scheffel via first-round KO (punches, 0:50)

 

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