Antonio Carlos Jr. is a grappling expert, winning IBJJF World Championships at both brown and black belt levels, both in Gi and No Gi fields. Carlos Jr., who has scored submissions in 75 percent of his victories, used his grappling to find success in 2021, securing that year’s PFL Light Heavyweight World Championship. He most recently fought in the 2024 Global Season, submitting Simon Biyong and losing to Alex Polizzi.
Having trained martial arts since six years of age, Karl Moore has been through major ups and downs but has found success in the sport. The SBG Ireland product has scored regional gold and has previously challenged for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Title. Moore has won four of his last five fights, losing that title fight to Corey Anderson in March his last time out.
Which of these two will gain a spot in the Light Heavyweight Semifinals?
Round 1
Low kick from Carlos Jr. Right hand from Moore. Moore flashes the left. Round kick misses for Carlos Jr. High kick from Moore. Knee from Carlos Jr. Carlos Jr. with a right hand. Left hand on the chin from Moore. Low kicks from both men. Carlos Jr. misses with the right. Carlos Jr. grabs a single-leg and he gets the takedown. Carlos Jr. pins one of Moore’s legs. Carlos Jr. trying to do work, landing a number of short left hands.
Moore trying to throw from the bottom. Body shots with the right hand from Moore. Some more from Moore, but it’s not affecting the strong positioning on top by Carlos Jr. Full guard now by Moore, and Carlos Jr. works Moore over to the fence. Carlos Jr. stands up and lands a knee to the body. Carlos Jr. lands a knee to the head, and time is called! Was Karl Moore a downed fighter is going to be the question now…
The referee is asking for a replay and looking for advice from the commission on how to proceed. It appears that Moore’s one knee was still down, and therefore the strike is illegal. No point deduction because it was in motion; however, Carlos Jr. receives a hard warning for the foul.
Carlos Jr. goes for another single-leg takedown upon the fight resuming, and he gets it. Carlos Jr. looking to land a couple of right hands, and we’ve got some ground-and-pound. Carlos Jr. stands up and misses with a strong punch going back to the ground. Carlos Jr. ends the round on top in Moore’s guard.
Round 2
Both men flash their jabs before Carlos Jr. goes for another single-leg attempt. Moore resists and we’ve got a clinch battle against the fence. Moore works the left hand. Carlos Jr. lands a couple of knees to the legs. More knees from Carlos Jr. Carlos Jr. goes for a sweep, but can’t get it. Moore landing shots to the body. Moore reverses the position, pressing Carlos Jr. against the fence. Battle for wrist control. Carlos Jr. gets a front choke, but Moore quickly postures up and gets out of it.
A knee hits Carlos Jr. low, causing a brief pause. Moore blitzes in on the combination. Moore presses Carlos Jr. against the fence. Knee by Carlos Jr. Carlos Jr. with a right hand. Carlos Jr. reverses the position. Carlos Jr. with a left hand. Carlos Jr. with a trip from the back, hopping right into side control. Carlos Jr. quickly looks for full mount, but Moore quickly recovers for a half-guard position. Carlos Jr. looks to set up a shoulder choke, but Moore defends it. Moore now seated up against the fence. Moore is looking for elevation, but Carlos Jr. controls the hips. Carlos Jr. remains in control to the bell.
Round 3
Moore coming out on the front foot. Moore with a body kick. Moore with a counter hook and left hand. A body lock, and Moore’s got Carlos Jr. against the fence. Moore trying to work the body. Carlos Jr. reverses the position. Carlos Jr. is pummeling, pinning Moore and making it hard for him to get off the fence. The two separate briefly, and now Moore tries to land. Moore looks for the switch knee, but Carlos Jr. ducks under and gets Moore back to the fence. Moore lands elbows.
The two get off the fence. Moore with an uppercut. Carlos Jr. goes for a takedown, but Moore fights it off. Carlos Jr. lands an upkick. Moore gets into Carlos Jr.’s guard. Carlos Jr. gets to his knees, and Moore has a hold of him. Moore landing to the body. Carlos Jr. looking for a choke from the bottom, and Moore is looking for a shoulder choke. Moore looks to get into full mount in the closing seconds of the round. Half-guard instead. Moore landing elbows. Moore with some last-minute ground-and-pound! Carlos Jr. with a heel hook attempt! Bell rings!
OFFICIAL RESULT
Antonio Carlos Jr. def. Karl Moore via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), advancing to the Semifinals in the Light Heavyweight Bracket, where he’ll face Simeon Powell.
