Overview
- Sergio Pettis defeated Magomed Magomedov by KO via spinning back elbow at 4:31 of Round 2 at PFL Champions Series 3 in Dubai.
- Magomedov controlled long stretches with takedowns and top pressure before Pettis timed the elbow as Magomedov closed in, then landed a single follow-up punch for the stoppage.
- The bout was billed as a bantamweight title eliminator, and Pettis said he wants a title fight next as PFL looks to crown a new champion following Patchy Mix’s exit to the UFC.
- Pettis’ finish echoes his 2021 spinning backfist knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi, extending his momentum with a second straight win and eight victories in his last ten.
- Magomedov fell to 21-5 and continues an alternating win-loss pattern, while the dramatic KO drew rapid praise across social media, including a celebratory post from Anthony Pettis.