Fansided MMA
FanSided

Preview & prediction for every PFL Championships $1 million fight

By Chad Porto

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Kayla Harrison walks to the cage before fighting against Martina Jindrova during PFL 9 at the Copper Box Arena on August 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 20: Kayla Harrison walks to the cage before fighting against Martina Jindrova during PFL 9 at the Copper Box Arena on August 20, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
(Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Ante Delija vs. Matheus Scheffel

In a rematch from earlier in the season, the heavyweights will see Ante Delija take on Matheus Scheffel for the heavyweight crown. Scheffel has a bit of a hot streak right now, having knocked off arguably the best male PFL fighter in the company’s history in Bruno Cappelozza. They fought in June and Scheffel just out-struck him all fight. Cappelozza had been on an eight-fight winning streak, all but one by KO/TKO, and was seemingly unstoppable with 14 career knockouts in 15 pro fights. Yet, Scheffel took him deep and got the decision.

An amazing upset that didn’t get the coverage it deserved. Scheffel took some big shots from Cappelozza but he didn’t take nearly enough to make you think it was a close fight, Scheffel was able to control most of the action. While that’s impressive, we’d be remiss to not talk about Delija. You see, Delija is that one. In that eight-fight strike that Cappelozza went on, the only name he didn’t finish was Delija.

Delija has a stiff jaw and can take some shots. In fact, the only man Delija has lost to in the last seven years was Cappelozza. He’s coming in with a win against one of the other top heavyweights in the division, Renan Ferreira, who the PFL was probably hoping would square off against Cappelozza in the Heavyweight Finale.

Instead, we have a rather surprise entry in Scheffel and arguably the No. 3 heavyweight in the division talent was in Delija. It’d be fair to say that the winner of this fight gets to stake their claim to the No. 1 spot.

PREDICTION: Ante Delija wins via knockout