2022 PFL heavyweight champion Ante Delija returns to face off with Maurice Greene in the 2023 PFL 5 headliner this Friday.
Delija returns after withdrawing from his 2023 PFL debut earlier this year due to an injury. He earned the PFL title last year by defeating Matheus Scheffel at the 2022 PFL Championships, capping off a remarkable run in the PFL SmartCage.
Greene earned an impressive finish over Marcelo Nunes at PFL 2. The former UFC fighter made his league debut last year after an up-and-down tenure in the Octagon.
The PFL 5 co-main event features Larissa Pacheco taking on Amber Leibrock in a pivotal women’s featherweight matchup. Both fighters are near the top of the division standings and are looking to clinch postseason spots.
Let’s take an in-depth look at the upcoming PFL 5 card in Atlanta.
PFL 5 Main Event Preview
PFL
Delija and Greene are arguably the top two heavyweight strikers remaining in the 2023 PFL season and could potentially have a short night inside the cage.
Delija, a top protégé of MMA legend Mirko Cro Cop, continues to improve with every PFL appearance. He stalks his opponents with superb kickboxing and a ferocious pace.
In addition to competing for a second-straight heavyweight title, Delija is also in the mix to face Francis Ngannou next year. Ngannou is expected to make his PFL debut in 2024 after signing a deal with the league in free agency.
Since partnering with UFC legend Jon Jones, Greene has looked impressive in the PFL. His win over Nunes showcased an improved gas tank and standup toolbox to go with his impressive grappling.
During his UFC stint, Greene picked up wins over the likes of Gian Villanate and Jeff Hughes. He enters PFL 5 with an 11-7 professional record.
Delija will look to keep the fight standing in all likelihood but has demonstrated a willingness to exchange on the ground. But, Greene has showcased solid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and could transition into a choke from his back in an instant.
If the fight remains standing, Delija could have his way in the PFL 5 headliner. Greene will look to shock the world and eliminate Delija from the postseason.
PFL 5 Co-Main Event Preview
PFL
Pacheco and Leibrock will look to steal the show in the PFL co-main event.
Pacheco continues her pursuit of a second-straight PFL title after she defeated Julia Budd at PFL 2. She pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the history of MMA by defeating Kayla Harrison at the 2022 PFL Championships.
While Pacheco’s global recognition is just beginning to pick up, she’s been a dangerous prospect for years. She’s showcased one-punch knockout power and the ability to overwhelm her opponents on the feet.
Pacheco has also made it a point to improve her grappling and become more well-rounded. She was a fraction of the fighter she is now compared to what she was during a short stint in the UFC.
Pacheco faces a tough test in Leibrock, who also has iron in her hands. She finished Martina Jindrova with a jaw-dropping head kick to cement herself as one of the top contenders in the division.
Pacheco and Leibrock are both prepared for war, and the winner could become the one to beat in the PFL Playoffs. If each fighter’s history is any indication, fans could be primed for a banger in the co-headliner.
Full PFL 5 Card & Viewing Information
Main Card (10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, ESPN/ESPN+)
- Ante Delija vs. Maurice Greene
- Larissa Pacheco vs. Amber Leibrock
- Biaggio Ali-Walsh vs. Travell Miller
- Aspen Ladd vs. Karolina Sobek
- Renan Ferreira vs. Matheus Scheffel
Preliminary Card (6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, ESPN+)
- Denis Goltsov vs. Yorgan De Castro
- Marina Mokhnatkina vs. Evelyn Martins
- Danilo Marques vs. Marcelo Nunes
- Julia Budd vs. Martina Jindrova
- Olena Kolesnyk vs. Yoko Higashi
- Patrick Brady vs. Jordan Heiderman
- Isaiah Pinson vs. Denzel Freeman
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