Released UFC veterans come up short in their PFL debuts

Several UFC veterans fought on the recently concluded PFL 1 card at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

The Professional Fighters League, which has become a refuge for released UFC fighters in recent times, kicked off its 2023 season on Saturday night. Former UFC light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos made his promotional debut against Rob Wilkinson in the co-main event of the night.

While Wilkinson won last year’s PFL light heavyweight tournament, Santos went into the fight having lost five of his last six. The former UFC fighter went on to suffer another unanimous decision loss against Wilkinson in a bout largely marked with inaction.

Recently released UFC middleweight Krzysztof Jotko also made his promotional debut at light heavyweight on the PFL 1 card against Will Fleury. Jotko came up on the short side on a controversial split decision after an entertaining slugfest. UFC middleweight Sean Strickland and his coach Eric Nicksick were in the corner of Jotko's opponent.

It should be noted that Strickland defeated the Polish UFC veteran via unanimous decision back in 2021.

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Other UFC veterans who lost at PFL 1

Other than the aforementioned promotional debutants, two other UFC veterans also fought on the PFL 1 card. Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes made his sophomore PFL appearance in the main-event of the night against Brendan Loughnane, last year's featherweight tournament winner.

Loughnane started chopping away at Moraes' lead leg early on, forcing the Brazilian to change stances midway through the opening frame. The Brit even sat the UFC veteran down in the first round, casting doubts on whether there would be a second round at all.

When the doctor was called in to check on 'Magic', the Brazilian chose to continue with a trashed lead leg. It did not take long for Loughnane to land a leg kick heavy enough to finish the fight.

This marked Moraes' sixth consecutive stoppage loss, which certainly speaks volumes about when he should retire.

Former UFC lightweight Chris Wade also fought on the PFL 1 main card against Bubba Jenkins. Jenkins thoroughly outwrestled Wade en route to a dominant decision win.