Nicolas Di Franco is an experienced veteran on the regional scene, including a lightweight title reign. The Belgian fighter has well-rounded finishing ability and a strong ground game. He comes into this fight off a loss to Noah Gugnon in December, a loss that snapped a three-fight win streak.

 

Catalin Safta is a striking specialist known for his strong, explosive offense and impressive knockouts – but not all of it comes from striking. Safta is also a two-time WBJJA grappling champion with a strong ground base and fluid transitions on the ground. He made his PFL debut at the 2024 PFL Europe Championships, losing to Patrick Habirora.

 

Which of these two lightweights will come out on top in this one?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Safta. Another low kick. Left hand from Di Franco. Uppercut from Safta. Front kick from Safta. Di Franco goes for a clinch but takes a couple of punches from Safta to back off. Low kick misses for Di Franco. Right hand from Safta, followed by a high kick that misses. Low kick from Safta. Di Franco scores the takedown. Safta tries to get up, but Di Franco gets hooks in right away. A scramble sees Safta nearly get into top position, but he ends up back on his feet. Di Franco is now pressing him into the fence.

 

Low kick from Di Franco. Safta lands an inside elbow. Strong combination from Safta. Knee to the body by Di Franco. The two exchange. One-two from Di Franco. Di Franco with a strong combination. Safta with a right hand. Another strong right hand. A left hand drops Di Franco! Di Franco gets back up and presses Safta into the fence. Safta might be on his neck though, threatening a guillotine. Di Franco escapes and we’re back in a body lock. Di Franco with another takedown attempt, but Safta maintains his balance. Di Franco with a brief Anaconda attempt, but Safta easily gets away. One-two from Safta. Another combination by Safta. Low kick by Safta. A strong flurry from Safta. Di Franco responds with a combination. Low kick from Di Franco. Low kick from Safta. Body kick by Safta. Another strong Safta combo before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick by Di Franco. Di Franco with a left and a low kick. Safta with a body lock, scoring a takedown. Di Franco builds back up to his feet. Right hand by Safta. Low kick by Di Franco. Low kick by Di Franco again. Safta with a couple of shots, but he misses the power punch. Di Franco slips, and Safta gets right on top of him. Safta with some ground strikes. Safta looking for a choke here? Di Franco doesn’t seem to be providing much defense. Safta with some strong right hands. Safta has a body lock in, trying to attack the neck now. Di Franco scrambles and escapes, back on his feet.

 

Right hand by Safta. Di Franco with a takedown attempt, and he gets it. Safta gets his guard up. Di Franco moves over the guard, trying to potentially set up an arm-triangle choke. Di Franco tries to get into side control, but Safta prevents that. Some ground strikes from both men. Di Franco adjusts, while Safta continues to tighten his guard. Elbows from Di Franco. Di Franco takes Safta’s back now, but Safta turns back around, with Di Franco still ending the round on top.

 

 

Round 3

 

Di Franco with a pair of low kicks before shooting in with a takedown attempt. He gets Safta to the fence, but Safta shoves him off. Low kicks from both men miss. Straight left by Di Franco. Body kicks from both men. Right hand by Di Franco. Left hand from Safta. Right hand by Di Franco. Low kick from Di Franco. One-two by Di Franco. Low kicks clash. Low kick from Di Franco, followed by a Safta one-two. Safta works a combination before going for a takedown – only for Di Franco to sprawl. Di Franco now with a level change and a takedown!

 

Di Franco looks for the back now. A couple of right hands from Di Franco. Di Franco tries to get Safta fully down and gain full control of the back. Ref calls for more action. Di Franco is trying to move Safta along. Knee to the legs by Di Franco. Safta gets up and explodes out, landing a pair of uppercuts. Safta with some strong punches and a knee, preventing a takedown from Di Franco. Di Franco presses again, but Safta gets him off. Combination from both men. Safta now pressing Di Franco to the fence. Di Franco gets off. The two throw again. Di Franco hunting the takedown. Safta changes position. Safta lands a couple of right hands before the horn.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Catalin Safta def. Nicolas Di Franco via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)