A former training partner to the two-time PFL lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Michael Dufort went 7-3 as an amateur before making his professional MMA debut in 2012, coming into tonight with a 13-4 record. The TriStar Gym product is currently riding a five-fight win streak. Dufort appeared in the PFL Challenger Series in 2022, defeating Arut Pogosjan by submission. He won three straight before returning to the promotion for the 2024 season, beginning his run with a second-round submission of Mads Burnell.

 

After starting his pro career 4-0, Adam Piccolotti signed with Bellator in 2015, becoming a staple name of its lightweight picture. The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt finished his nine-year run in Bellator with a 10-5 promotional record, with six submission wins. Piccolotti was unsuccessful in his PFL debut in April, losing via third-round TKO to Elvin Espinoza.

 

Dufort gets into the playoffs with a win of any kind. Piccolotti, meanwhile, needs a finish to maintain any hope of making the playoffs.

 

 

Round 1

 

Piccolotti moving along the outside of the SmartCage. Both flash their right hand. Left hand and a low kick from Piccolotti. Dufort pressing forward. Piccolotti with a couple of left hands. Both men are looking for space. The two clash in the center. Dufort’s jab backs up Piccolotti. Round kick to the body by Piccolotti. Low kick from Piccolotti. Left hand from Dufort. Left kick and a left hand from Piccolotti lands. Right hand to the body by Dufort.

 

Jab by Dufort. Piccolotti gets inside and scores the takedown. Dufort looking to wrap him up, however. Dufort landing some shots inside on the ground. Could he be looking for the guillotine here? Knees from the bottom position to the body by Dufort. Dufort appears to be looking for a D’Arce choke now with a minute to go in the round. Dufort lets go of the choke. Dufort goes for the anaconda choke, but Piccolotti reverses and gets on top. Dufort landing punches to the back and midsection. Dufort lands a small flurry on the ground to Piccolotti’s head.

 

 

Round 2

 

Dufort comes forward, flashing the right knee and right hand. Low kick from Piccolotti. Right hand lands for Dufort, but a low kick from Piccolotti trips him up a bit. Front kick by Dufort. Low kick and a right hand from Dufort. Dufort flashes his left hand. Straight right from Dufort. Dufort has Piccolotti on the back foot. Low kick from Dufort. Dufort lands a right hand that knocks Piccolotti off balance. Dufort comes forward, but Piccolotti briefly gets his back to the fence.

 

 

Right hand for Piccolotti after Dufort misses a question-mark kick. Piccolotti with the right hand. High kick from Piccolotti is blocked. Dufort blocks a body kick and comes rushing forward. Left hand from Dufort. Dufort with a takedown attempt. Dufort scores a takedown. Piccolotti gets back to his feet, but Dufort has a hold of the neck and looks for a guillotine. Piccolotti spins out of it! Piccolotti tries to press Dufort to the fence, but Dufort is in control of the clinch. The two separate in the closing seconds.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Right hand by Dufort backs Piccolotti up a bit. Kick is blocked for Dufort. Right hand by Dufort. Three-punch combination sees a right hand drop Dufort! Piccolotti presses forward as Dufort gets back up. Piccolotti looks for a guillotine attempt, but Dufort fights him off. Dufort throws the left jab. Left hand by Dufort. Low kick by Dufort. High kick misses for Dufort. Left hand by Piccolotti. Low kick by Dufort.

 

 

Left hand for Piccolotti. Dufort goes in for a takedown attempt, and the action is brought over to the fence. Dufort throws some knees. Knee to the body by Dufort. Knees to the legs by Dufort as referee Mike Beltran is calling for action. Dufort lands a right hand before separation with about 90 seconds left. Piccolotti pressing forward but misses a right hand. Kick lands off the guard of Dufort. Low kick by Dufort. High kick by Dufort misses. Low kick by Dufort. Dufort grabs a leg and presses forward, though he’s unsuccessful in landing the takedown. Push kick from Piccolotti. Overhand right from Dufort.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Adam Piccolotti defeats Michael Dufort by split decision (29-28x2, 28-29) in the PFL Lightweight Division.

  • Dufort remains in first place for now
  • Piccolotti is now eliminated