Dalton Rosta was a wrestler and football player in his youth, going on to become an NCAA Division-II wrestler at Seton Hall before trying his hand at MMA. After going unbeaten on the amateur MMA and boxing circuits, Rosta has since made noise since his professional MMA debut in 2019, coming into tonight’s bout with a 10-1 professional record, including five finishes (four via KO/TKO). Rosta, in fact, made an impact in his PFL debut this past April, submitting former PFL World Champion Sadibou Sy to advance to tonight’s Middleweight Semifinals.

 

Aaron Jeffery, meanwhile, is known for pressuring his opponents both on the feet and on the ground. Jeffery has made a name for himself on the regional scene and in Bellator as well, holding wins over the likes of Douglas Lima, Austin Vanderford and Andre Petroski while going 4-2 in Bellator. After falling short of earning a Bellator World Title shot last year, Jeffery joined the PFL this year and defeated Murad Ramazanov to earn his place in tonight’s Semifinals.

 

Jeffery won the first encounter between these two. Will lightning strike twice, or will redemption be had, as a spot in the PFL World Tournament Middleweight Final is on the line?

 

 

Round 1

 

Rosta comes forward. Jeffery with a pair of jabs. Rosta misses a kick. Rosta misses a left jab. Right hand from Jeffery. Left hammerfist from Jeffery. Another hammerfist. A leg kick from Jeffery. Front kick by Jeffery. Rosta misses a left hand. Jeffery lands a right hand, but Rosta pushes away his pressure. Jeffery continues to come forward. A pair of left jabs from Rosta. Jeffery comes inside and presses Rosta to the fence, though Rosta continues to land inside shots before separating. Low kick from Jeffery. Lead uppercut by Rosta. Jeffery with a right hand. Jeffery presses Rosta into the SmartCage again. Knees from Rosta.

 

A strong elbow from Rosta seemed to rock Jeffery. Leg kick from Jeffery. Combination from Jeffery before he presses Rosta again. Knee by Jeffery. Rosta appears to be landing well on the inside. Another break. Right hand upstairs from Rosta and a left to the body. A check hook is blocked by Jeffery, but not a second. Right hand from Jeffery snaps Rosta’s head back. Knees by Rosta. Strong right elbow from Jeffery. Knee by Jeffery. Jeffery tries for the leg, but Rosta keeps his balance and pushes Jeffery away. Left hand from Rosta. Rosta presses Jeffery into the fence in the closing seconds, but Jeffery tries to get an arm around him, looking for his neck.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Jeffery looks to press Rosta and look for the takedown again to start the round, but Rosta gets away. Jab from Jeffery. Right hand from Jeffery, and he pushes Rosta into the SmartCage again. Rosta tries to create space and he’s able to get away. Low kick from Jeffery. Right hand from Rosta. Left hand from Rosta. Rosta tries to work the body. Short left hook by Jeffery. Knee and a right hook from Rosta. Front kick from Jeffery. Strong elbow from Jeffery.

 

Another press by Jeffery, and he’s nearly able to get Rosta off balance. Knee from Jeffery, who is leading the pace of this round. Elbow by Jeffery. Left hand from Rosta. Another left. Front kick from Jeffery. Left hand from Rosta. Another body kick from Jeffery. Rosta gets behind Jeffery, and now he’s pressing and looking for the takedown. Rosta presses Jeffery into the fence now. Jeffery with an inside elbow. Rosta continues to press in a body lock. Rosta lands a small flurry before the end of the round.

 

 

Round 3

 

Rosta throws a left. Rosta walks around the outside. Rosta with a leg kick. Rosta misses a left hand. Jeffrey with a pair of leg kicks before pressing Rosta into the fence – but Rosta gets away. Right hand from Jeffery. Rosta lands a left hook. Both men land straights. Jeffery presses him again. Jeffery is trying to work the body now. Rosta with a few knees to the body. Elbow to the head by Jeffery. A separation now by Rosta. Jeffery lands a counterhook and a jab before pressing Rosta into the SmartCage again.

 

Some knees to the legs by Jeffery. Rosta gets off the fence and lands a one-two. Rosta blocks a kick. Jeffery comes forward with pressure. Low kicks from Jeffery, inside shots from Rosta. Uppercuts to the body by Rosta. One-two from Jeffery. Combination from Rosta. Right hand by Jeffery before another clinch. A series of right hands works over Rosta’s midsection. Jeffery nearly secures the takedown. He tries again. Jeffery keeps trying for the trip. Knee by Jeffery before Rosta gets away. Right hand by Rosta. Another right hand. Left hand by Rosta. Leg kick by Jeffery. Rosta with a roundhouse kick. Jeffery presses Rosta into the fence again. Knee by Jeffery. Flurry by Rosta right before the bell.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Dalton Rosta defeats Aaron Jeffery by split decision (29-28 x2, 27-30), advancing to the final in the Middleweight Bracket. He’ll face the winner of Fabian Edwards vs Josh Silveira for the 2025 PFL World Tournament Middleweight Title.