Movlid Khaybulaev takes down his competition and becomes two-time PFL Featherweight Tournament Champion

After suffering the first defeat of his pro career to Gabriel Braga, Jesus Pinedo found himself on the ropes until a stunning first-round knockout of Brendan Loughnane. Pinedo then took that momentum into the 2023 playoffs, ending with a revenge finish of Braga to become that year’s PFL Featherweight Champion. Now, Pinedo eyes another tournament championship after wins over Adam Borics and Braga.

Movlid Khaybulaev had his own success in 2021, running through the competition to become Featherweight champion that year. He is one of five world champions representing Team Nurmagomedov in MMA. Khaybulaev made this year’s championship matchup with wins over Jeremy Kennedy and Taekyun Kim.

Which of these two men will score their second Featherweight Tournament title in PFL in Atlantic City’s co-main event?

Round 1

Both men very hesitant, feeling each other out. Khaybulaev with a power right and he scores the takedown. Pinedo with an elbow from the bottom. Khaybulaev with a right from up top. And now a couple of lefts. The referee calls for more action. Khaybulaev tries to explode, but Pinedo has him down. Right hand by Khaybulaev. The two are stood up two minutes into the fight. Pinedo with a small flurry. Knee by Khaybulaev. Piendo with another combination. Khaybulaev with another knee as he exchanges. Khaybulaev shoots in and scores another takedown.

Khaybulaev has Pinedo trapped against the fence in this takedown. Khaybulaev does work from up top. More elbows from the bottom by Pinedo. Khaybualev frees one of his arms and starts to land again, trying to do work in Pinedo’s guard. Khaybulaev landing with the left hand after another handcuff. Right hand from Khaybulaev. Pinedo’s right eye appears to be swollen. The round ends with Pinedo on the bottom against the fence.

Round 2

High kick by Pinedo. Left hand by Khaybulaev. Right hand by Khaybulaev before another drive into the fence. Khaybulaev scores the takedown. Pinedo locks up his guard. Khaybulaev lands a pair of left hands. Pinedo sitting up against the fence again. Left hands from Khaybulaev. More left hands from Khaybulaev. Pinedo tries to land some elbows but Khaybulaev very quickly locks up his wrists again.

Khaybulaev gets to Pinedo’s back. Hooks are in! Khaybulaev might be under the neck! Pinedo wags a finger. Pinedo adjusts and gets back to guard, nicely avoiding the submission! Ref warns Khaybulaev for more activity. Ref brings the fight back to the feet with just over 90 seconds to go in the round. Big left hand drops Pinedo! Khaybulaev lands some ground-and-pound, while Pinedo tries to use his guard to get Khaybualev at bay. Pinedo survives, and Khaybulaev gets into the guard with a minute left in the round! Khaybulaev pressures more from up top. Khaybulaev locks up an arm-triangle choke in the closing seconds, but the bell sounds!

Round 3

Some light exchanging to start. Big right hand drops Khaybulaev! Khaybulaev with a single-leg takedown to survive! Pinedo opens his guard. Pinedo throws elbows but receives a hard warning for landing an elbow to the back of Khaybulaev’s head. Some inside elbows by Khaybulaev from up top. Khaybulaev throws some light punches, while Pinedo looks to the ref for a stand-up. Ref calls for action about 10 seconds later. Khaybulaev lands a few punches to the body and head. Strong right hand to the head by Khaybulaev. Another couple of right hands from Khaybulaev.

Khaybulaev with a right hand. Khaybulaev continues to land. Pinedo sits up against the fence, and he is busted open. Pinedo is able to get to his feet with 75 seconds left in the round. Khaybulaev still has his back; however, and we’ve got a wrist control battle. Khaybulaev gets another takedown with 60 seconds to go, almost getting a hold of the back. Pinedo gets back to his feet again, only for Khaybulaev to mat return again. Pinedo gets back to his feet. Khaybulaev lands a right hand. Khaybulaev with a knee. And again. Front kick by Khaybulaev.

Round 4

Khaybulaev working counter pinches. Pinedo tries to come forward, but Khaybulaev perfectly times the level change and scores another takedown. Khaybulaev back to the strategy of handcuffing one of Pinedo’s arms. Pinedo tries to make his way to the fence, but Khaybulaev is all over him. Pinedo puts up his guard, but it’s doing nothing as Khaybulaev drowns him in pressure.

The ref stands the two up with about two minutes left in the round. Pinedo flashing the right hand. Right hand lands for Pinedo. Khaybulaev with yet another takedown. Khaybulaev landing some shots with the right hand. Pinedo seems to be looking for the standup as he tries to land elbows. Khaybulaev ends the round, once again, on top.

Round 5

Pinedo flashing the right hand. Pinedo with a left hand, but Khaybulaev answers with an overhand right, followed by a double-leg takedown. Pinedo gets back up, but Khaybulaev gets him right back to the mat. Khaybulaev gets into side control, giving shoulder pressure. Khaybulaev gets into full mount! He seems to be searching for an arm-triangle choke. He gets it!!!

Movlid Khaybulaev is now a two-time (two-time), PFL Tournament Champion!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Movlid Khaybulaev def. Jesus Pinedo via fifth-round submission (arm-triangle choke, 1:17)