Fighting out of Nashville, Alexei Pergande was the 2016 Ringside World Boxing Tournament Champion and fought in the Junior Olympics in 2015 and 2017. Since transitioning to MMA, Pergande is 5-0 in MMA, with all five victories coming in the PFL. The 2022 PFL Challenger Series contract winner most recently fought at last year’s PFL Playoffs event in Nashville, defeating Daniel Boehle.

 

Mike Bardsley was a high school football player before trying his hand at mixed martial arts, going on to have a 6-1 amateur record with a pair of amateur titles. The American Top Team product is currently 5-1, with four finishes, including three submission wins. He last fought in January, submitting Daniel Boehle.

 

Which featherweight will make a statement in this showcase outing?

 

 

Round 1

 

The two meet in the center. They trade low kicks. Low front kick from Pergande. High kick from Pergande. Bardsley answers in kind. Bardsley flashes the left. Low kick from Pergande. Right hand from Pergande. Right hand from Pergande and a low kick from Bardsley. Front kick from Pergande. Low kick from Bardsley. A one-two from Pergande. Round kick from Bardsley. Right hand from Pergande. A solid one-two from Pergande. Pergande lands again, but Bardsley snaps his head back some. Another one-two from Pergande.

 

After a brief low-blow timeout, Bardsley lands to the body. Round kick from Bardsley. Left hand from Bardsley. Low kick from Bardsley. One-two from Pergande. Bardsley may be struggling with the range battle in this one. One-two from Pergande again. Low kick from Bardsley. A right hand wobbles Bardsley! But another cup check! Bardsley takes a few seconds to recover. One-two from Pergande. A series of left jabs from Pergande. A high kick is blocked by Bardsley. More kicks. The two trade straights. A left hand steps Bardsley back. Right hand from a pressing Bardsley. High kick from Pergande before the horn.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick from Pergande. Bardsley coming forward, but it seems Pergande is the one leading the pace. A strong switch knee from Pergande lands clean! He misses a wheel kick. Pergande with another strong combination ending in a solid left hand. More left hands from Pergande. Low kick from Bardsley. A couple of left hands from Bardsley. Quick punch from Pergande. Combination from Pergande. A high kick from Pergande is blocked. Left hand from Pergande. Jab to the body by Bardsley. The two clash jabs.

 

High kick is blocked and goes for a takedown…only for a triangle armbar to be locked in by Pergande! Somehow Bardsley escapes it! Pergande scrambles and ends up on Bardsley's back! Bardsley gets up. Quick right hand from Pergande. Body kick from Bardsley. Pergande lands an elbow behind the ear, and Bardsley is busted up! Strong inside left hook and a right hand by Pergande. Round kick by Bardsley. Both men connect. Bardlsey is bleeding BADLY on the left side of his face. Bardsley misses a body kick. Both men miss a right hand.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

One-two by Pergande on Bardsley coming in. Left hand from Pergande. Low kick from Bardsley. Left hand from Pergande. Strong left hand from Bardsley. One-two from Pergande. Left hands from both men now. Strong combination from Pergande. Bardsley misses a high kick. Right hand from Bardsley. Low kick from Bardsley. Elbow from Pergande. A high kick from Pergande is blocked. Left hand by Pergande.

 

Left hand from Bardsley. Elbow from Pergande is blocked. Pergande blocks a high kick from Bardsley. Jumping knee from Pergande. Left hand from Pergande. Action has definitely slowed down in the waning minutes of this fight. Body shot from Bardsley. A high kick from Bardsley is blocked. Jab up the middle by Pergande. Right hand from Bardsley. One-two from Pergande. Left hand from Pergande. Round kick by Bardsley. Left round kick by Pergande. Left hand from Bardsley. The two with a strong swing-away battle to the horn.

 

A dominant striking display by Alexei Pergande!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Alexei Pergande def. Mike Bardsley via unanimous decision (30-27x3)