Magomed Magomedkerimov became a two-time PFL champion with his third-round submission win over Sadibou Sy at the 2023 PFL World Championshp and he wasted no time turning his attention to his next opponent.
Just seconds after having his hand raised, Magomedkerimov engaged in a faceoff with Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson, who sat and watched the fight cageside just one week after his title fight victory over Yaroslav Amosov. There was no tension between the fights but both athletes appeared ready to clash in a champion vs. champion showdown with rumors swirling around a February date.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Magomedkerimov said about fighting Jackson. “Now we have to face the Bellator champion, very exciting. I saw his fight, that was pretty impressive. He’s an amazing fighter. Now that I have to face him in February, I can’t wait for that.”
As for Jackson, he had nothing but respect for Magomedkerimov but he’s anxiously awaiting the chance to face the PFL champion after beating the previously undefeated Amosov in his last outing.
“Beautiful performance,” Jackson said. “I have a lot of respect for you but come February, we’re going to knuckle up and we’re going to get it.”
Prior to the faceoff, Magomedkerimov first had to get through Sy, who he previously defeated in the PFL playoffs back in 2021.
This time around, Magomedkerimov looked even better as he brought the fight to Sy round after round while preventing the talented striker from really ever getting the chance to unleash his best weapons. While MagomedKerimov was unable to really put Sy in trouble on the ground, it was the constant threat of the takedown along with work from the clinch that put him in a position to win.
Finally in the third round, Magomedkerimov stunned Sy with a nasty body shot that led to him grabbing onto a guillotine choke and falling to his back to secure the submission. Sy tried to wiggle free momentarily but he was forced to tap out with the end coming at 1:17 in the third round.
“I think the body shot probably hit his liver,” Magomedkerimov said about the finish. “I already smelled blood in the water.”
With that win, Magomedkerimov becomes a two-time PFL champion with hopes of possibly adding a third title when he faces Jackson next year.
This story originally appeared on MMA fighting
