Francesco Nuzzi’s path into MMA came through studies of multiple disciplines from a young age, including karate, kickboxing and jiu-jitsu. Making his professional debut in 2016, Nuzzi has gone 10-1, with seven finishes and a regional bantamweight title to his name. Nicknamed “Berserker,” Nuzzi fought at the PFL Europe card in July, scoring a first-round head-kick knockout of Farbod Iran Nezhad.

 

Mando Gutierrez grew up wrestling before adding jiu-jitsu to his repertoire, leading to a heavy ground game that has resulted in six of 10 wins coming via submission and six wins total coming in the first round. Gutierrez, who made his professional debut in 2019, has trained with the likes of Belal Muhammad, Yair Rodriguez and Joaquin Buckley. Making his PFL debut tonight, “El Toro” last fought in November, scoring a split decision over Joji Goto.

 

A spot in the bantamweight semifinals awaits the winner of this bout.

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Gutierrez. Nuzzi lands an eye poke accidentally. A quick time out. Front kick from Nuzzi. Gutierrez with a powerful combination. Low kick from Gutierrez. Right hand from Nuzzi. Knee by Gutierrez. Gutierrez gets Nuzzi toward the fence, but Nuzzi gets away. Another accidental eye poke, and Nuzzi gets a hard warning. Gutierrez comes in and eats a left. Gutierrez misses a combination. Front kick by Nuzzi. One-two from Gutierrez, who is chasing Nuzzi down. Nuzzi lands a counter punch. Gutierrez goes for a takedown but Nuzzi sprawls. Front kick by Nuzzi. Low kick from Nuzzi. Gutierrez with an inside leg kick.

 

Straight left from Nuzzi. Body shot from Nuzzi. Gutierrez blitzes again. Front kick from Nuzzi. Gutierrez with a hard calf kick. Nuzzi loses his footing, and Gutierrez gets right on his back! Gutierrez on top as he looks for a choke. It’s a battle for wrist control as Nuzzi tries to defend the choke. Gutierrez locks in a body triangle. Gutierrez tightens the grip, but Nuzzi gets it off. Gutierrez switches his grips, punching to weaken the defenses. He’s got another choke in, and this one’s tighter! There’s the submission!

 

Mando “El Toro” Gutierrez is moving on in the tournament!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Mando “El Toro” Gutierrez defeats Francesco Nuzzi by 1st round submission (rear-naked choke, 4:13), advancing to the Semifinals in the Bantamweight Bracket. Gutierrez will face Justin Wetzell.