Beginning his combat sports journey from a young age, Anthony Romero sports a junior black belt in taekwondo and black belts in both Brazilian and Japanese jiu-jitsu. Romero went 9-1 as an amateur, capturing lightweight gold on the circuit, before starting his pro career off with nine straight wins. After defeating Antonio Caruso during the 2023 PFL Challenger Series, Romero got the chance to compete in the lightweight regular season last year, getting knocked out in his sole fight by eventual champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier.

 

Sergio Cossio is a veteran of MMA, with his pro career stretching back to 2011, starting with a nine-fight win streak. Cossio has captured regional lightweight gold in his native Mexico and currently spots an eight-fight win streak. Cossio’s most recent fight came at Bellator 300 in October, picking up a third-round submission of Jesse Roberts.

 

Which man will be able to claim an alternate tag for the postseason in this lightweight matchup?

 

 

Round 1

 

Romero coming forward, tests out the high kick very early on. Both men pacing themselves, feeling each other out. A body shot and a low kick miss for Cossio. Low kick from Romero. Side kick from Cossio. Left hand from Romero. Romero with a one-two that lands. Body uppercut for Cossio. Front kick to the body by Romero. Right hand lands for Romero. Low kick from Cossio. Cossio pushes forward, bringing Romero’s back to the fence as he looks for a takedown. Knee to the body by Romero as he adjusts and gets Cossio’s back to the fence. Cossio trying to deliver knees to the body of his own.

 

The two break off from the fence with about two minutes left in the round. Low kick from Romero. Left hand from Cossio. Another left hand from Cossio. Front kick from Cossio counters the right hook attack from Romero. Left hand on the inside for Romero. Lead right hook for Cossio, chasing Romero down. But Romero presses Cossio into the fence again. Low kick from Romero. Knee to the body by Cossio. The two exchange knees and break off, with a spinning back fist to the stomach landing before the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick from Cossio. One-two from Romero. Body punches landing in a flurry from Cossio. One-two from Romero. Low kick from Cossio. Body shot by Cossio. One-two from Romero. One-two from Cossio. Left hand lands for Cossio that counters a knee attempt from Romero. Romero quickly goes in and gets the takedown. Romero tried to take the back with the two near the fence.

 

 

Romero continues his transition and starts to threaten the neck halfway through the round. Romero tries to adjust himself, but Cossio uses the space and turns himself in, wrestling to a top position. Romero elevates himself back to his feet. Knee to the body by Cossio, but it partially lands on the cup. Round kick by Romero lands to the body as the fight resumes. Body kick by Romero. Cossio with a hook and there’s another clinch control battle, as the two go back to the edge of the SmartCage. The two break off with about 20 seconds left and the two trade away. Romero shoots in during the final 10 seconds but cannot land a takedown before the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Cossio comes out aggressive with punches in bunches. Front kick from Cossio. Cossio catches a kick and drives Romero back to the fence. Cossio scores a takedown, but Romero is quickly back to his feet. Romero shoots in now, but Cossio stops his attempt. Cossio with a heavy calf kick. Romero shoots in again, and Cossio has to defend with his back to the fence. Cossio manages to reverse the position and briefly gets to Romero’s back standing. The two return to the SmartCage.

 

Romero’s output slows, while Cossio, despite being a little gassed, continues to throw. Cossio lands a left hand. Low kick from Cossio. One-two from Cossio. Cossio shoots in, and he scores the takedown. Cossio lands to the body while in top position. Romero gives up his back. Romero rolls through. We got a leg lock attempt by Romero. Romero continues to try and work it, but Cassio lands some big shots with the right hand and forces him to defend. Cossio continues to fire off the right hand until the bell.

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Sergio Cossio defeats Anthony Romero in his PFL debut by unanimous decision (29-28 x 3)

  • Cossio improves to 27-9-1 as a pro
  • The win extends Cossio's winning streak to 9 in a row
  • Cossio is the former Lux Fight League Lightweight Champion