A longtime veteran of the PFL, Sadibou Sy has made the PFL Playoffs every year he’s been here. It all came to a head last year when Sy earned decisions over Nikolai Aleksakhin and Rory MacDonald during the Regular Season before defeating Carlos Leal and Dilano Taylor in the playoffs to secure the 2022 PFL Welterweight World Championship. A kickboxing and Muay Thai champion who holds the quickest knockout in PFL Welterweight history, Sy scored a second-round finish of Jarrah Al Silawi in April to start his 2023 campaign, where he looks to become a repeat champion.

 

Shane Mitchell is quite the finisher inside the cage, with 12 of his 13 victories coming inside the distance — with nine of them being knockouts. The Australian striker, who has a kickboxing base despite being a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion and brown belt, trains at American Top Team. After a successful run in his country with Diamondback Fighting Championship, Mitchell competed outside Australia for the first time with his PFL debut in April, dropping a unanimous decision to Nayib Lopez.

 

Sy will clinch a PFL Playoffs spot through a win or draw — or if his loss comes after the second round. Mitchell needs a second-round finish to keep his PFL Playoffs chances alive.

 

 

Round 1

 

Both men looking to time the other’s kicks early on. Mitchell landing a couple of leg kicks. Mitchell comes forward and misses a high kick. Both men landing low kicks. Sy lands a kick to the body. Mitchell lands a front kick. Both kick low again. Sy lands a right, but Mitchell comes forward with a combination. The two trade low kicks once more. Mitchell misses a right. Sy lands a kick to the midsection and a right jab.

 

Sy’s high kick attempt is blocked and Mitchell continues to come forward and work his range. Mitchell lands a strong right that catches Sy’s attention. Another leg kick trading before Sy delivers a strong wheel kick that wobbles Mitchell a bit. Sy lands a spinning back kick to the body. Sy lands a strong leg kick in the closing seconds of the round.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick trading to start the round. High kick for Sy is blocked, but he lands a round kick to the body. Jab by Sy and a low kick from Mitchell. Sy gets out of the way of a Mitchell right hook. Another kick to the body for Sy. Sy lands a jumping knee. Sy avoids a high kick from Mitchell. Mitchell looks to go in for a takedown, but Sy shoves him off. Sy with another round kick to the body.

 

 

Sy lands a spinning back kick to the head. Mitchell backs up against the fence and Sy unleashes a flurry of shots! Sy stops his striking as the two clinch up and battle against the SmartCage. Sy lands a knee to the body as he gets a Thai clinch. Mitchell has a clear cut above his left eye from the flurry. Sy scores a trip and takes Mitchell down. Sy tries to get to Mitchell’s back, but Mitchell gets to his feet with about a minute left in the second. Sy gets another outside trip and takedown. Sy postures up late in the round, landing some ground-and-pound. Sy separates as the bell closes the round.

 

 

Round 3

 

The two share a hug in the center of the SmartCage. Each lands low kicks and to the body as round three begins. Round kick to the body by Sy. Sidekick by Mitchell. Left hand from Sy. High kick by Sy lands on Mitchell’s ear. Mitchell fires one of his own, but Sy dodges.

 

Sy lands a big spinning wheel kick to the jaw of Mitchell and knocks him out! A walk-off KO as Sy walks his way into the playoffs!

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS:

 

Sadibou Sy defeats Shane Mitchell by 3rd round KO (1:35) earning 4 points and clinching a playoff spot in the PFL Welterweight Division.

 

Final 2023 PFL Welterweight Playoffs Standings:

1. Magomed Magomedkerimov

2. Carlos Leal

3. Sadibou Sy

4. Magomed Umalatov

 

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