Our first bout of the night should be an exciting one as we have our first playoff eliminator of the season. Norway’s Marthin Hamlet (9-3), the 2021 PFL light heavyweight runner-up, welcomes highly touted prospect and Challenger Series alum Josh Silveira (8-0) to the PFL.

 

A 7-time Norwegian wrestling champion, Hamlet took home 3 points in his opening bout of the season beating Teodoras Aukstuolis by unanimous decision.  Hamlet currently finds himself in 5th place in the light heavyweight standings, just outside the playoffs.  While he will clinch a playoff spot with any finish, he will also be eliminated with a loss and faces a tough test in Silveira. Notably, Hamlet’s last 2 losses have come by rear-naked choke, the same submission Silveira has finished 4 of his 5 submission victories with.

 

A standout prospect and former LFA double champ at middleweight and light heavyweight, Silveira brings a serious MMA pedigree to the PFL.  He is the son of former fighter and current American Top Team head coach Conan Silveira, and seeks to carve his own path in MMA starting tonight with the toughest test of his career. Silveira describes his fight style as well-rounded with an emphasis on “HARD grappling and pressure”.  Silveira missed his first bout of the PFL season due to injury and as such will need a finish tonight to keep his playoff hopes alive.

 


Round 1 

 

We open the fight with some feeling out from both men as they exchange kicks and attempt to find the range.  There seems to be mutual respect for the grappling on both sides and neither fighter is pressing to get it to the mat.

 

Hamlet lands a BIG right hand 40 seconds into the fight that staggers Silveira.  Hamlet closes the distance and initiates the clinch against the SmartCage. Hamlet has to be careful though, as Silveira threatens a guillotine before reversing his position.  Silveira walks back to the center of the cage and Hamlet swings big on the break but can’t connect.

 

Hamlet’s striking looks noticeably improved halfway through the 1st round and he’s thrown that right high kick twice now, almost landing both.  Hamlet again initiates the clinch and attempts a takedown but Silveira is able to fight him off and take the center of the cage.

 

With 2 minutes left in the round, Silveira drops Hamlet with a high kick that was beautifully set up by a push kick to the body that dropped Hamlet’s right hand! A wild exchange ensues as Hamlet is able to work back to his feet and fight back for 30 seconds or so before Silveira catches him with a knee in the clinch and floors Hamlet once again. After a brief follow-up, the ref has seen enough and Silveira earns a Quick Six in his PFL debut, keeping his playoff hopes alive!  Hamlet is officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss.

 

 


OFFICIAL RESULT 

 

Josh Silveira shines in his PFL debut and picks up 6 points in the light heavyweight standings!


Josh Silveira def. Marthin Hamlet via TKO  3:22 R1)