Mads Burnell comes from a wrestling lineage, and while he started training in the discipline at a young age, added boxing to his repertoire before transitioning to MMA full time at 16 years old. Burnell, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and a former regional featherweight champion, has scored submissions in nine of his 20 career victories thus far, including seven in the first round. The Xtreme Couture product lost to Michael Dufort and defeated Clay Collard in last year’s regular season. He then defeated Elvin Espinoza in a Showcase Bout in August.

 

Jay-Jay Wilson has fought almost exclusively for Bellator prior to his PFL debut tonight, going 9-1 in the promotion – and adding one win outside of it. Wilson began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a teenager, and he credits the discipline and the sport of MMA as saving him. Wilson, who has seven finishes, five of which have come in the first round, last fought at Bellator 299 in September 2023, scoring a decision over Mansour Barnaoui.

 

Which of these two men will move on in the Lightweight World Tournament?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from Wilson. Wilson immediately goes for a takedown, but Burnell counters with a front headlock. Burnell looks for a choke, but Wilson avoids it and gets Burnell against the fence. Burnell reverses the position, but Wilson with a knee. Wilson looks to grab Burnell’s head, but Burnell lifts him up, looking for a takedown. Wilson defending the takedown attempts well. Burnell with a couple of left hands before dumping Wilson. Wilson with an elbow, and he hunts for the arm. Burnell landing several strikes to Wilson’s head. Burnell looks for another trip as Wilson gets up. Wilson goes back to the fence, giving up his back. Spinning elbow by Wilson, but it doesn’t deter Burnell. Wilson’s back to the fence now.

 

Wilson tries to force Burnell’s head away. Burnell tries for a trip, but Wilson fights against it. Some separation and the two exchange. Wilson now with a flurry, backing Burnell up to the fence. Burnell defending well, but Wilson getting through with body shots. One-two by Burnell. Burnell grabs a hold of Wilson again and brings him back to the fence. Burnell with an elbow, but Wilson switches the position. Wilson with a jumping knee in the clinch before scoring a takedown. Wilson passes over into side control. Wilson trying to move into mount now, but he can only get half-guard. Burnell tries to come out the back, but Wilson scrambles to stay on top to the bell.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

A couple of low kicks from Wilson to start things off. Wilson scores an early takedown. Wilson settles into half-guard. Wilson looks to pass the guard, into side control. Wilson has an underhook. Burnell tries to posture up, but Wilson lands a couple of shots. Burnell tries for a sweep, but Wilson reads it. Burnell trying to find a way to scramble out or elevate from the bottom. Wilson hunts for a D’Arce choke. He doesn’t submit Burnell, but it allows him back to a more solid base.

 

Burnell trying to manipulate the weight, but Wilson flattens Burnell out. Wilson lands some good ground-and-pound. Burnell trying to maneuver, but he gives up his neck, allowing for another choke attempt. Wilson gets into mount again, and he blocks Burnell from going out from the back. Wilson looking to keep a hold of Burnell’s head. Elbow from the top by Wilson. Wilson throws some more ground-and-pound. Another big elbow from Wilson. Wilson with some more strikes. Burnell survives the round, but it’s a dominant one from Wilson.

 

 

Round 3

 

Front kick from Burnell. One-two from Wilson. Wilson rushes in for a takedown, and he gets it. Burnell was looking for a front choke but he didn't have it. Wilson looks to pin one of Burnell’s legs. A couple of right hands from Wilson. Burnell trying to get free, but Wilson keeps his weight down and continues to pressure the man known for his striking pressure. Wilson gets into side control. Back into half-guard now.

 

Wilson with a couple of body shots. Right hand to the head by Wilson as he tries to maneuver back into mount unsuccessfully. Wilson continues to work in Burnell’s guard. Right hands from Wilson. Solid elbow to the head by Wilson. Wilson’s pressure on the ground against Burnell is relentless. A few more right hands to the head. The hammerfists are dropping! Flurry by Wilson! Less than 50 seconds remaining now. Now Wilson landing with the left hand! Another right hand from Wilson. Elbows to the body! Hammerfists to the head! The referee won’t let Burnell see the final bell!

 

 

Never a doubt – what a one-sided beating in terms of both grappling AND striking from Jay-Jay Wilson!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

Jay-Jay Wilson defeats Mads Burnell by 3rd round TKO (4:32), advancing to the Semifinals in the Lightweight Bracket. Wilson will face the winner of Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Marc Diakiese.

 

  • Wilson moves his career record to 11-1 with his 4th knockout win
  • Wilson wins his return to the cage after not fighting since September 2023
  • Wilson represents his native New Zealand but trains at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL. He is just 27 years old.