2021 PFL Playoffs 1 predictions: Ray Cooper III or Rory MacDonald in semis?

	Cooper III vs. MacDonald	Magomedkerimov vs. Sy	Collard vs. Manfio	Martinez vs. Radzhabov
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2021: 120-72	MacDonald (62%)	Magomedkerimov (90%)	Collard (77%)	Martinez (57%)
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2021: 119-73	Cooper	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2021: 118-74	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2021: 118-74 2018 Champion	Cooper	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Martinez
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2021: 115-77 2020 Champion	Cooper	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2021: 114-78 2014 Champion	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Martinez
Nolan King @mma_kings 2021: 114-78	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2021: 113-79	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2021: 112-80	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2021: 112-80	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2021: 112-80	Cooper	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Martinez
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2021: 110-82 2017 Champion	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Martinez
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2021: 108-84	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Radzhabov
Matthew Wells @MrMWells 2021: 43-33	MacDonald	Magomedkerimov	Collard	Martinez

The PFL returns this week with the first of three straight weeks of semifinal fights.

2021 PFL Playoffs 1 takes place Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, 2019 welterweight season winner Ray Cooper III (22-7-1) takes on Rory MacDonald (22-7-1). The winner will advance to the final for a shot at $1 million and the 2021 title. MacDonald, one of the promotion’s most high-profile offseason signees, has a 9-4 picks edge from our 13 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers.

In the other welterweight semifinal, 2018 season winner Magomed Magomedkerimov (28-5) takes on Sadibou Sy (9-5-2). Magomedkerimov, who beat Cooper in 2018 to win the crown, is one of two unanimous picks from our staff members.

Our other unanimous pick on the main card is in the lightweight semifinal fight between Clay Collard (20-8) and Raush Manfio (13-3). Collard upset Anthony Pettis in his first fight of the regular season and he’s got a 13-0 picks lead over Manfio – who beat Pettis, as well, to get to the playoffs.

And to open the main card, Alex Martinez (8-1) meets Loik Radzhabov (14-3-1) in the other lightweight semifinal fight. That’s our most contentious fight – Radzhabov has an 8-5 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, MacDonald (62 percent), Magomedkerimov (90 percent), Collard (77 percent) and Martinez (57 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.