Jakub Kaszuba looks to takedown competition for second PFL crown, starts his journey in Paris

Jakub Kaszuba is back and yearns to become the first PFL Europe fighter to win back-to-back championships. Kaszuba went 5-0 as an amateur before turning pro in 2017, and he has continued his run of not tasting defeat. In PFL Europe last year, Kaszuba submitted Radu Maxim, scored a decision over Dylan Tuke and stopped John Mitchell to claim the PFL Europe title at lightweight.

A striking specialist and veteran of the fight game, Kane Mousah has earned a record of 14-5, with six wins coming via a stoppage. Prior to signing with the PFL, Mousah competed in Bellator, racking up a 3-3 record there. He most recently fought at Bellator 296 last May, losing to Thibault Gouti.

Will Kaszuba clinch a spot in the PFL Europe Playoffs, or will his reign on top of the PFL Europe lightweight division be over already?

Round 1

Kaszuba throws a jab and misses a high kick. Kaszuba misses a one-two. Mousah tries to land on the body. Mousah moving in and out of Kaszuba’s range. Mousah misses a low kick. Kaszuba shoots in for a takedown, and Mousah, off balance, brings the two of them to the fence. Kaszuba wins the struggle and briefly gets a takedown. Mousah quickly returns to his feet but still feels the pressure of Kaszuba against the fence. Kaszuba with a couple of knees in close before the two break. Mousah throws a left hook. Mousah with a low kick. Right-left combination by Kaszuba. Kaszuba level changes, and there’s an uppercut. Mousah is still trying to maintain range.

Kaszuba shoots in again and goes for Mousah’s back, clinching him from behind as the two struggle against the fence again. Kaszuba drags Mousah against the fence before the two go chest-to-chest. Kaszuba landed knees on the inside. The position is reversed, and now Kaszuba is the one against the fence. The two jockey for position, but Kaszuba fires a flurry off the break. Kaszuba level changed again and scored another takedown on Mousah. Kaszuba tried to get into mount in the final minute of the opening round. Kaszuba lands a few right hands to the body. Mousah gets back up, and the two exchange knees and do more jockeying against the fence before the bell.

Round 2

Kaszuba’s high kick attempt is blocked. Kaszuba tries to throw a small flurry at Mousah, but not much connects. Mousah appears on guard, ready for any level changes. Kaszuba throws a leg kick and the two briefly clinch. Mousah lands a right hand. The two clinch up in the center of the PFL SmartCage, with Mousah resisting another takedown attempt. Kaszuba lands an uppercut in close. Mousah has some swelling around the eye as he throws some leg kicks and an uppercut. Mousah misses an overhand. Kaszuba throws a round kick to the body that gets blocked.

The two trade shots inside before going back to the fence, with Kaszuba’s back to it briefly. Kaszuba throws a left hand off the break. A couple of strong body shots by Kaszuba. Mousah throws a high kick. Mousah now is the one who level changes, and he drives Kaszuba to the fence. Kaszuba reverses the position, and Mousah tries to pummel in. Mousah lands a few uppercuts, as the two trade more body strikes. After another battle in close, Mousah lands again to the body. Kaszuba, however, answers by taking Mousah down again. The two battle in close again on the feet before the bell.

Round 3

A few low kicks by Kaszuba to open the third round. Mousah throws some low kicks of his own. Kaszuba with a round kick to the body. Mousah tried to pressure Kaszuba to the fence with a few left hands. Mousah switches stances and throws an overhand right. Kaszuba presses Mousah into the fence again. Both men land a knee to the body. Mousah with a knee and a strike on the break. Mousah now the one rushing forward and pressuring Kaszuba to the edge of the PFL SmartCage. Kaszuba reverses position again and looks for another takedown. Kaszuba gets the takedown with some struggling, getting Mousah off the fence.

Mousah gets back to his feet and lands a knee to the stomach. Mousah lands body punches and tries to press Kaszuba against the fence. The two jockey for position again against the SmartCage. Kaszuba gets to Mousah’s back with just over 90 seconds to go, but Mousah presses down on his hips. Kaszuba gets Mousah down in a sitting position. Kaszuba briefly gets to the back, but Mousah is fighting back. Kaszuba nullified any scramble attempt from Mousah. The two return to their feet briefly with about 20 seconds left before one more battle for control against the fence before the final bell.

All three judges gave two rounds to Kaszuba, earning him the unanimous decision and a place in the playoffs once again.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Jakub Kaszuba defeats Kane Mousah by unanimous decision (29-28x3) in the Lightweight Regular Season, clinching a spot in the 2024 PFL Europe Playoffs. Kaszuba will face Daniele Scatizzi in the Semifinals.