Since turning pro in 2018, Ibrahima Mané has racked up 12 wins in 16 fights, including coming out on top in two one-night tournaments. A striking specialist, Mané enters this fight on a five-fight win streak. He most recently fought in May, scoring a unanimous decision win over Juan Manuel Suarez.

 

A former soccer player, Chequina Noso Pedro has won eight of 11 since making his professional MMA debut in 2020, with four of those wins coming via a finish. Pedro most recently fought in December, defeating Dzhokhar Duraev to earn a second straight win.

 

In the final regular-season bout of the night, who will clinch a spot in the welterweight playoffs?

 

 

Round 1

 

Mané firing off a leg kick-based attack to start things off. Pedro clinches up, but Mané brings pressure and brings Pedro to the fence. The two jockey for pressure against the fence. A trip attempt by Pedro sees him land on top. Mané has underhooks in, and Pedro tries to work from his top position. Pedro lands several punches to the head, but Mané returns to his feet and jockeys for position on the fence. Mané underhooks but can’t get Pedro down, as Pedro continues the position trading.

 

After a couple of warnings from the referee, Pedro jumps up for a guillotine attempt and locks it in! But Mané powers through and escapes it, getting to Pedro’s back while standing! Mané throws a couple of leg attacks, throwing knees to the knee and thigh of Pedro. Mané looks for a standing rear-naked choke, but Pedro fights it off! Now Pedro scores another takedown, but Mané is quickly back on his feet. The two trade low knees against the fence. Pedro scores another takedown and lands in mount, throwing ground-and-pound as he ends the round on top.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Front kick by Mané. Right hand from Pedro. Mané throws front kicks, and the two end up chest-to-chest against the fence again. Pedro fires punches off the break and scores another takedown of Mané. Mané gets back to his feet and tries to roll out, but Pedro tries to maintain a grip on Mané's back. Mane uses this to turn himself around and get into a top position. Mané looks to posture up and work some ground-and-pound. Pedro works his way to the fence and back to his feet, though he’s giving up his back.

 

Pedro throws knees while back to jockeying against the fence with Mané. Pedro looks for another takedown, but Mané resists his pressure. The referee calls for more action twice and ends up having to separate the two with about 90 seconds left in the round. Pedro, however, manages to bring Mané to the fence again. Pedro looks for a single-leg takedown, but Mané stops the attempt. The two exchange underhooks. Pedro throws a knee, but Mané lands a takedown. Pedro scrambles and tries to escape, but Mané keeps him pinned against the fence until the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Both fire off kicks and miss. Pedro lands a front kick. Pedro avoids a flurry attempt from Mané. Mané with a jab. Pedro tries to rush through, but Mané resists the pressure attempts. Mané lands a jumping knee, and Pedro presses against the fence, but Mané manages to overwhelm Pedro, countering his takedown attempt and ending up on top. Mané works his way to Pedro’s back in a standing position. Pedro turns things around and presses Mané against the SmartCage with about three minutes left. The referee is not wasting time and calling for action.

 

Pedro makes another attempt halfway through round three, but it’s another jockeying for position, and Mané now controls Pedro against the fence. Mané misses a big uppercut and a combination. Another battle of underhooks and pressure near the fence. The referee asks for more work from both men again, and yet again, he separates the two with 90 seconds left in the round. Low kick from Pedro. Both men throw fatigued punches. The two exchange knees to the legs. The referee has to separate the two again with 30 seconds to go. Mané with a leg kick and a punch that rocks Pedro. Mané scores another takedown, but Pedro bulldozes through and presses Mané against the fence! The two exchange there until the bell.

 

The judges ultimately give the bout to Mané, earning him a split decision win.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Ibrahima Mané defeats Chequina Noso Pedro by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) in the Welterweight Regular Season, clinching a spot in the 2024 PFL Europe Playoffs. Mane will face Daniele Miceli in the Semifinals.