After his performance last season, Khurshed Kakhorov enters this season looking to run it back and be a two-time PFL Europe bantamweight champion. The Xtreme Couture product is a striking specialist and judo trained, known for his knockout power. Kakhorov, who entered this fight 12-1 with eight knockouts, defeated Moktar Benkaci, Ali Taleb and Frans Mlambo last season to claim the PFL Europe gold.

 

Tuomas Gronvall, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, will compete in his 20th professional fight tonight. He comes in with a 12-6-1 record with six wins via submission. Gronvall, who is competing in a major MMA promotion for the first time, has won five of his last seven. He fought just over a month ago, submitting Resant Ashirov.

 

Will Kakhorov get back into the PFL Europe playoffs, or will Gronvall stop his repeat dreams before they begin?

 

 

Round 1

 

Gronvall comes out right away, throwing a low kick. Gronvall and Kakhorov trade before Gronvall goes in for a takedown, pressing Kakhorov into the fence. Kakhorov turns and reverses the position. Both trade knees. Kakhorov landing a couple of more knees. Left hand by Gronvall. The two separate. Gronvall catches a kick and lands a one-two before pressing Kakhorov into the fence. Kakhorov, again, reverses the position.

 

Not long after separation, Kakhorov with a front kick and a one-two. The two trading incredibly hard shots, with Gronvall catching Kakhorov over the top. Notable jab by Kakhorov. Kakhorov lands to the body and follows with a right kick. Body kick by Gronvall. Gronvall continuing to pressure. Low kick by Kakhorov. Knee by Kakhorov. Gronvall lands a right hand. Right high kick by Kakhorov. Gronvall goes for a takedown, but Kakhorov stops it with a sprawl. A couple of strong kicks from Kakhorov. Knee by Kakhorov. Both land a right hand. Front kick and a combination by Gronvall leads to a level change. Gronvall looking for the takedown, and he grounds him before the horn.

 

 

Round 2

 

Kakhorov with a heavy right hand early. Gronvall looks to catch, but Kakhorov lands a knee. Gronvall grabs at Kakhorov and gets to his back while standing, pressing Kakhorov into the SmartCage. Kakhorov is able to get off. One-two by Kakhorov after missing a strong knee attempt. Gronvall level changes and we get another tie-up against the fence. Gronvall trying to circle around, but Kakhorov keeping him in place with knees against the fence. The two separate with about three minutes left.

 

High kick from Kakhorov is blocked. Kakhorov landing, but Gronvall continuing to come forward. Right hand from Kakhorov. Jab by Kakhorov. Kakhorov continuously working over the body. Front kick by Kakhorov. Both land right hands. Gronvall level changes, but Kakhorov stops his takedown. Gronvall presses Kakhorov against the fence again, and the two jockey for position with about a minute left in the round. Khakorov looks for a trip, and while he can’t get it, he is able to get Gronvall against the fence. The two end the round in a clinch position near the SmartCage’s center.

 

 

Round 3

 

Powerful right hand early by Kakhorov. Combination by Kakhorov. Gronvall lands a right hand, but Kakhorov lands a front kick to the face. The two bringing out a heavy pace early in this final round. Left hand by Kakhorov. One-two by Gronvall. Front kick by Kakhorov. Strong right hand by Kakhorov drops Gronvall, and that does it!

 

 

Khurshed Kakhorov is back in the semifinals, and he’ll face Dean Garnett in Scotland!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Khurshed Kakhorov defeats Tuomas Gronvall by 3rd round KO (1:11), advancing to the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Playoffs.