Heavyweights Rodrigo Nascimento, Oleg Popov, Alexandr Romanov, & Valentin Moldavsky Advance to World Tournament Semifinals

Light Heavyweights Sullivan Cauley, Simeon Powell, Antonio Carlos Jr., & Phil Davis Advance to World Tournament Semifinals

The PFL Welterweight & Featherweight Semifinals Begin Thursday, June 12 on ESPN+ at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville

The First Round of the 2025 PFL World Tournament concluded tonight at Universal Studios Florida, with four fighters in both the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight divisions punching their tickets to June's Semifinals.In the Heavyweight Semifinals, Brazil’s Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) will take on Russia’s Oleg Popov (20-2), while Moldova’s Alexandr Romanov (19-3) is set to face former Interim Bellator Champion, Valentin Moldavsky (14-4).

In the Light Heavyweight Semifinals, former Bellator Champion Phil Davis (25-7, 1 NC) is set to face Arizona’s Sullivan Cauley (7-1), while former PFL Europe standout Simeon Powell (11-1) will go head-to-head with 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6, 2 NC).

The main event featured a clash between former Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Phil Davis and 2022 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Rob Wilkinson (19-4, 1 NC). After a slow start, “Mr. Wonderful,” an NCAA wrestling champion, came out firing in the second round, overwhelming his Australian opponent with a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to step in. With the emphatic stoppage, Davis secured his spot in the Semifinals.

The co-main event featured a showdown between two Russian heavyweights with nearly identical records, former Interim Bellator Champion Valentin Moldavsky and Sergey Bilostenniy (13-4). It’s rare to see heavyweights maintain such a relentless pace, but the former training partners emptied their gas tanks over three grueling rounds.

While Bilostenniy landed more volume, Moldavsky controlled the grappling exchanges and delivered the more impactful strikes, earning a well-deserved decision victory.Former Bellator Light Heavyweight No. 1 contender Karl Moore (12-4) squared off against 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr. “Shoeface” leaned on his elite jiu-jitsu pedigree to neutralize the power of his Irish opponent for most of the bout.

Despite a late flurry from Moore in the final round, Carlos Jr. remained in control and earned the split decision victory, his eighth win in his last nine fights.

Kicking off the main card was a clash between two European Light Heavyweights: Karl Albrektsson (14-7) and Simeon Powell. Albrektsson found success early, landing a steady stream of kicks that scored points and wore down the 2023 PFL Europe Light Heavyweight runner-up.

However, momentum shifted in the second round when Powell unleashed a flurry of vicious elbows that staggered the Swede and dropped him to the canvas, prompting the referee to step in. With the win, “Smooth” secured his spot in the Semifinals this June.

The 2025 PFL World Tournament continues on Thursday, June 12, with the Welterweight & Featherweights Semi Finalists competing live on ESPN+ and DAZN.

2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First Round Main Card:

Phil Davis (25-7, 1 NC) def. Rob Wilkinson (19-4,1 NC) via KO (strikes) at :51 of round two

Valentin Moldavsky (14-4) def. Sergey Bilostenniy (13-4) via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

Antonio Carlos Jr (17-6, 2 NC) def. Karl Moore (12-4) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Simeon Powell (11-1) def. Karl Albrektsson (14-7) via TKO (strikes) at 2:05 of round two

2025 PFL World Tournament 4: First Round Early Card:

Alexandr Romanov (19-3) def. Tim Johnson (18-12) via submission (standing guillotine) at 1:53 of round one

Oleg Popov (20-2) def. Karl Williams (10-3) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Sullivan Cauley (7-1) def. Alex Polizzi (11-5) via TKO (strikes) at 1:36 of round one

Rodrigo Nascimento (12-3) def. Abraham Bably (5-2) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) 

Upcoming 2025 PFL World Tournament Schedule:

2025 PFL World Tournament 5: Semifinals - June 12 - Nashville Municipal Auditorium, Nashville

2025 PFL World Tournament 6: Semifinals - June 20 - INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita

2025 PFL World Tournament 7: Semifinals - June 27 - Wintrust Arena, Chicago

2025 PFL World Tournament 8: Finals - August 1 - Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ

2025 PFL World Tournament 9: Finals - August 15 - Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, NC

2025 PFL World Tournament 10: Finals - August 21 - Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida