PFL 2025 World Tournament 4 Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Round 1

Heavyweights Bably and Nascimento kick things off for the final event of the PFL World Tournament First Round, with referee Chris Mignocchi overseeing the proceedings. Both men are in orthodox stance, but Bably switches several times in the opening moments. Nascimento walks Bably toward the fence and is met with a flurry of punches. He clinches and Bably reverses him against the fence, where he holds him there with an underhook and throws short left hands. Ninety seconds in, the big men are still pressed against the cage. Bably looks for a level change but Nascimento stands him up. Nascimento with a couple of short knees inside. Half the round is gone and it’s still Bably, mashing the bigger man into the chain link. Bably answers a knee strike with a shoulder shrug to the face. They separate and Bably catches Nascimento with a couple of body punches on the break. They re-engage and Bably throws another flurry of fast punches. Most of them glance off Nascimento’s guard, but enough land that the Brazilian clinches again. Thiry seconds to go and Nascimento eats a pair of body punches, answering with an elbow upstairs. The bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bably
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bably
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Bably

Round 2

Bably is mobile to start things out, sliding around the outside as Nascimento stalks forward. Bably misses with a big punch upstairs and Nascimento responds with a nice body shot. Bably clinches and runs Nascimento to the fence. Nascimento is more active against the cage than in Round 1, hitting Bably with a knee up the middle and a short uppercut. Two minutes in, the heavyweights are up against the fence, where Bably throws short knees and uppercuts, which Nascimento answers with elbows. They separate and exchange punches near the center of the cage. Bably drops his hands and slips a couple of punches like a giant Pernell Whittaker. Nascimento stalks forward slowly as Bably gives ground, switching stances frequently. Bably comes up just short with a big right hand. Nascimento lands a nice right cross. In the final minute, both men open up just a bit and it’s Nascimento getting the best of it with a hard body kick.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento

Round 3

It’s anyone’s fight—on our scorecards, at least—as the heavyweight hopefuls come out for the final round. Bably sets up in southpaw and throws a three-piece that mostly lands. Nascimento surges forward behind a salvo of punches and shoves the shorter man into the fence, where Bably promptly reverses him. Bably changes levels looking for a single-leg, but gives up on it quickly. A minute and a half into the round, they’re grinding against the fence. Blood runs from Nascimento’s nose and down Bably’s back. They separate and return to striking in the center of the cage. Bably misses with a big punch and Nascimento lands two clean counters. Bably lands a one-two and Nascimento returns with a two-piece of his own. Bably lowers his head and runs Nascimento into the cage. Nascimento drives a knee up the middle that hits the chest, and possibly the chin, of the shorter man. Under a minute and a half left and Bably bails on another possible takedown attempt. They disengage and go back to work in space. Nascimento slips a haymaker and touches Bably with a jab, then another. With 30 seconds to go, Bably steps forward and lands a solid left hook, then follows Nascimento to the cage. They separate at the 10-second clapper and Bably does a bit of showboating before the horn. Perhaps he should have thrown a couple more punches instead.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento (29-28 Nascimento)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento (29-28 Nascimento)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Nascimento (29-28 Nascimento)

The Official Result

Rodrigo Nascimento def. Abraham Bably via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Round 1

Round 1

PFL heavyweight mainstay Popov faces off against UFC veteran Williams, who was promoted from alternate to regular quarterfinalist just three days ago when Linton Vassell withdrew from the tournament. Chris Mignocchi draws the referee assignment for this bout, and at a word from him, they commence hostilities. Both are in orthodox stance to begin, and Popov scores first with a low kick. Williams stalks forward behind a high guard. Popov gives ground, but touches the lead leg with another low kick. And another. Williams comes up short with a one-two. Popov lands a jab to the body. Popov surges forward looking for a takedown, and drives Williams to the fence, where he grabs a single-leg and tries to elevate his man. Williams shows good defense, hopping on one leg, using the fence to stay upright, and punishing the Russian with short elbows. Popov lets go of the leg but keeps driving Williams into the fence. Popov switches to a body lock and dumps Williams to the canvas with a nice trip. Williams scoots toward the fence and stands, Popov still stuck to him. Williams grabs a kimura on the left arm of Popov and uses it to foil the Russian’s attempts to drop down for another takedown. Popov moves to take Williams’ back standing, and Williams is forced to let go of the arm. Popov trips and drags Williams to the floor, but Williams once again pops up immediately. Popov once again shoves his man into the fence, where Mignocchi warns Williams not to grab the cage. Popov drops for another single-leg and Williams grabs a front headlock. Popov finishes the takedown at the 10-second clapper, and the horn sounds before anything else of consequence happens.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Popov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Popov
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Popov

Round 2

Williams is the aggressor to open Round 2, marching Popov down and flicking out a left jab. Popov once again gives ground, landing kicks to Williams’ lead left leg as he goes. Popov reaches out with a long jab and Williams answers in kind. Popov ducks under a pair of punches by Williams and looks for a takedown. He drives Williams to the fence, where Williams shucks him off immediately and throws strikes on the break. Popov comes forward and is met by an intercepting knee that does not do much damage, but ends the takedown attempt. Popov resets and lunges forward again. Williams again defends with a kimura, but gives it up. Two minutes to go and Popov is again working on a single-leg against the fence. Williams looks for a kimura, then switches to an overhook. Williams defends a trip attempt by Popov, and tags him with short right hands as Popov bands at the waist, looking for a takedown. With under 30 seconds left in the round, it’s still Popov driving Williams into the cage. The round ends there.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Popov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Williams
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Williams

Round 3

Williams lands a low kick. Popov is bouncing on his toes, backing up as Williams advances. Williams keeps advancing, throwing a jab, then a big right hook that misses short. Popov shoots a fast single-leg and drags Williams down at the base of the fence. Williams springs right back up and Popov comes back up with him, still holding the single-leg. Williams nails Popov with a stream of short elbows, which Popov ignores, continuing to work for a takedown. Popov switches from a single to a double-leg near the fence, and Williams briefly grabs a guillotine. They both give up on those techniques and return to clinching against the cage. With two minutes to go, Mignocchi breaks them up and sends them back to the center of the cage. Once they go back to work, Williams lands a body kick up the middle. The pace has slowed, but it’s still Williams coming forward methodically. Popov drops levels for another takedown attempt and once again they end up against the fence. Popov has dual underhooks but is making no headway towards getting Williams off his feet. Williams lands a hard knee to the body. They separate with seconds left, and Williams lands a jump knee to the jaw of a shooting Popov at the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Williams (29-28 Popov)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Williams (29-28 Williams)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Williams (29-28 Williams)

The Official Result

Oleg Popov def. Karl Williams via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Round 1

Light heavyweights Albrektsson and Powell vie for a coveted semifinal spot. Chris Mignocchi is in charge of keeping it clean. Both 205ers are in orthodox stance to kick things off. Albrektsson comes forward and maneuvers Powell towards the fence, whereupon he drops levels for a takedown attempt. There’s nothing doing, as Powell uses a wide-legged stance and underhooks to keep his feet under him. Albrektsson gives up on the takedown but keeps the position, shoving Powell into the cage and exchanging short strikes. They break the clinch and return to open space, where Powell lands a low kick. Albrektsson returns fire with a body kick, then a pair of punches. He follows the one-two into the clinch and shoves Powell back into the cage. Two minutes to go in the round and Powell uses a left overhook to deny Albrektsson any chance to take him down. With 90 seconds to go, they separate and return to the middle of the cage, but Albrektsson is quick to enter the clinch again, shoving the taller man to the fence. Powell quickly shoves him off and they separate briefly, but yet again the Swede swarms forward, grabbing Powell and running him into the fence. Powell lands a sharp elbow seconds before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Albrektsson
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Albrektsson
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Albrektsson

Round 2

Round 1

Carlos Jr. and Moore engage under the watchful eye of Kevin Macdonald. Moore is southpaw, Carlos Jr. orthodox, and it’s the Irishman coming forward and swinging hard in the opening moments. There are a couple of tentative exchanges and some southpaw-orthodox hand fighting before Moore catches a finger to the eye. Macdonald gives him a moment to recover and they go back to work. Moore once again is the aggressor, but “Shoe Face” remains composed, scoring with low kicks and circling away from the fence. Carlos Jr. times the incoming Moore nicely, dropping levels for a single-leg, which he completes with a knee tap. Carlos Jr. sets up in Moore’s half guard in open space, with nearly half the round left to work. Moore is calm on the bottom, controlling the Brazilian’s posture and even regaining full guard on the former Mundials champ. Carlos Jr. scoots his man to the fence, where he drops some short elbows from full guard. Carlos Jr. stands up out of guard and lands a massive knee to the chest of the seated Moore. He throws another knee immediately, which lands flush to the face. Confusion ensues, as Moore was in the process of getting up but may still have been grounded when the blow landed. Macdonald consults the cageside officials for replay. Meanwhile, the broadcast replay shows that Moore was getting up, but still had his left knee firmly on the canvas, rendering him grounded and the blow illegal. Macdonald rules the foul inadvertent, gives Carlos Jr. a stern warning, and sends the two back to work. “Shoe Face” immediately hits another knee tap, practically identical to the one he used two minutes before. He lands a couple of shorts strikes from top position before the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Carlos Jr.
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Carlos Jr.
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Carlos Jr.

Round 2

Moore throws out a right head kick to open Round 2, which glances off of Carlos Jr’s guard. “Shoe Face” shoots another single-leg, which Moore defends, backing up to the fence and tagging Carlos Jr. with a nice elbow. A minute in, Carlos Jr. is driving Moore into the chain link, working for a takedown, but Moore uses an overhook and underhook to defend ably. Moore reverses Carlos Jr. against the fence and looks for a takedown of his own. Carlos Jr. attempts a front headlock, but Moore immediately postures up to deny him any chance for a choke. Moore throws a knee that may have strayed low, drawing a protest from Carlos Jr. and a break in the action by ref Macdonald. Macdonald consults the replay, determines that the knee was in fact legal, and gives Moore his choice of location for the reset: back against the fence or in the center of the cage. Moore chooses the latter and they go back to work. Moore charges forward and is met by a right cross, but powers through and drives Carlos Jr. to the fence. Moore appears to be bleeding from the nose, likely from that right hand. Carlos Jr. reverses him against the fence and uses an outside trip to toss him to the canvas, where he jumps straight to side control. Moore is savvy, regaining half guard and scooting back to the fence. Carlos Jr. elevates, staying above Moore and making it difficult to stand back up. Moore finally gets enough space to stand, and when Carlos Jr. clinches, he reverses him. They end the round with Moore kneeing Carlos Jr. against the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Carlos Jr.
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Carlos Jr.
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Carlos Jr.

Round 3

Moore walks Carlos Jr. to the fence, but the Brazilian slides out the side rather than clinch. Moore resets, steps into the pocket and manages to get him to the cage this time. He appears to be looking for a takedown, but Carlos Jr. spins him into the fence, Carlos Jr. is bent at the waist, with Moore smacking him with short punches and hammerfists. Carlos Jr. gets reversed, and comes off the fence with a knee up the middle. Moore steps back and when Carlos Jr. follows, Moore meets him with punches. Carlos Jr. clinches and shoves him into the fence, where he tries to change levels, but Moore uses underhooks to keep him upright. They separate and return to the center of the cage, where Carlos Jr. attempts another single-leg. Moore defends this one, and Carlos Jr. ends up on his back with Moore standing over him. Carlos Jr. scores with a nice upkick to the side of the head, but Moore shakes it off and is forced to defend a single-leg from the Brazilian. Moore sprawls and “Shoe Face” stalls out, stuck on his knees and elbows, clinging to the single-leg. Carlos Jr. is looking exhausted. Moore bowls him over and sets up in half guard, briefly looking for a shoulder choke. Carlos Jr. essays a heel hook, but Moore does not appear to be in any real danger and time expires seconds later.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Moore (29-28 Carlos Jr.)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Moore (29-28 Carlos Jr.)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Moore (29-28 Carlos Jr.)

The Official Result

Antonio Carlos Jr. def. Karl Moore via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

Round 1

The fourth and final heavyweight quarterfinal is an all-Russian clash, and should be a more kinetic affair than the first three, considering that Moldavsky and Bilostenniy are two of the lightest men in the bracket. Chris Mignocchi is the third man in the cage, and the onetime training partners go to work in matching orthodox stances. Moldavsky flicks out a quick jab, but Bilostenniy comes back with a sharp jab of his own, followed by a low kick. They miss on simultaneous jabs, but Bilostenniy connects with a follow-up hook. There is a moment’s pause when the overhead lights go out, but they come back on in seconds and Mignocchi sends the two back to work. Bilostenniy is on the gas, backing Moldavsky up with feints and a fast jab. Bilostenniy’s jab and right cross continue to stymie Moldavsky. Bilostenniy lands a spinning back kick to the midsection. Moldavsky gives ground and moves laterally, drawing his countryman on, but is struggling with the hand speed and constant forward progress of Bilostenniy. Under a minute to go and Bilostenniy launches a spinning back kick that connects low. Moldavsky grimaces and adjusts his cup but wants the action restarted immediately. Bilostenniy scores with a cross and hook to the body. Moldavsky tries to return fire but his punches come up short. Bilostenniy rocks Moldavsky with a right to the face. Moldavsky stumbles, rocked, and Bilostenniy swarms, trying to finish. Moldavsky gets his hands on Bilostenniy and holds on until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy

Round 2

Moldavsky tries a spinning back kick of his own to start off Round 2, but it glances without much impact. Bilostenniy shows a rear hand uppercut, but Moldavsky is nowhere to be found. Moldavsky steps into the pocket and is met by a left hand. He steps in again and the rear hand uppercut is there this time. It lands, and might serve to discourage future takedown attempts. Moldavsky feints, drawing Bilostenniy out, and lands a nice left hand to follow up. Bilostenniy comes forward and throws a three-piece combination, finishing to the body. Ninety seconds to go in the round and Moldavsky lands his best punches of the round, if not the whole fight, a couple of hooks to the body. Bilostenniy backs up a couple of steps and Moldavsky takes the chance to come forward and change levels. There’s nothing doing, but he shoves him to the fence. Bilostenniy shucks him off and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy

Round 3

Round 3 opens with onetime Bellator champ Moldavsky probably needing to do something very big in order to advance in this tournament. He surges forward, changing levels for a takedown, and manages to drive Bilostenniy to the fence, where Bilostenniy uses an overhook and head position to deny him the level change he wants. Bilostenniy tries a couple of elbows to the head of the crouching Moldavsky. They stray to the back of the head and Mignocchi warns him without halting the action. Halfway into the final round, Moldavsky is still bent at the waist, trying to get a single-leg on the bulkier Bilostenniy, and making little headway. Moldavsky throws a couple of short punches upstairs, then some knees to the thigh. Moldavsky is probably winning the round, but not in a way that is likely to change the fight’s outcome. Bilostenniy loses his mouthpiece, and the referee recovers and replaces it without breaking the position. They break the clinch on their own a few seconds later, and return to striking in the center of the cage. With under 30 seconds left, Mignocchi pauses the heavyweights once more, this time to examine some hanging glove tape on Moldavsky’s right hand. He lets the action resume, but nothing else of consequence happens before the final horn.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Moldavsky (29-28 Bilostenniy)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bilostenniy (30-27 Bilostenniy)
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Moldavsky (29-28 Bilostenniy)

The Official Result

Valentin Moldavsky def. Sergey Bilostenniy via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

The final fight of the PFL 2025 World Tournament’s first round features 40-year-old perennial contender and onetime Bellator champ Davis, against a man in “Razor Rob” looking to regain the PFL title he won three seasons ago. Kevin Macdonald draws the referee assignment for our swan song. Both men are in orthodox stance. Wilkinson lands a jab. Davis slides laterally, changing stances a few times. Wilkinson catches him with a hard low kick. Davis stalks forward, switching stances and feinting. Wilkinson is content to give ground and chip away with low kicks. Davis lands a slapping kick to the midsection. Wilkinson tags Davis with a straight right that leaves him wincing and blinking his left eye. Wilkinson comes forward with punches and Davis ducks under them for a double-leg. Wilkinson sprawls nicely, however, and Davis is forced to settle for running him to the fence. He tries to complete the takedown there, but Wilkinson keeps his feet under him and gets off the fence. They return to open space near the center of the cage, and Wilkinson continues to chew up the lead leg of Davis with chopping kicks. With a minute to go in the round, Davis throws a three-piece, the first two of which land. Wilkinson connects with a right hand that sits Davis down, more off-balance than hurt, but he follows it with another nice low kick when Davis gets back up. The bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Wilkinson
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Wilkinson
Mike Pendleton scores the round: 10-9 Wilkinson

Round 2