Aaron Jeffery, making his PFL debut tonight, has fought his way into being one of the biggest rising names at Middleweight. A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Jeffery is a former regional middleweight champion and has scored finishes in 10 of his 15 victories thus far. Jeffery went 4-2 in Bellator, which included victories over Austin Vanderford, Dalton Rosta and, most recently, former Bellator Champion Douglas Lima.

 

Dagestan’s Murad Ramazanov has only lost to one man in MMA – 2024 PFL Welterweight World Champion Shamil Musaev, who stopped him in the regular season and scored a decision in the semifinals. Outside of those losses, the wrestling specialist has looked impressive, with eight of his 12 victories coming via stoppage – four via KO/TKO and four via submission. Ramazanov’s last win also came during last year’s regular season, scoring a first-round submission of Laureano Staropoli.

 

Who will come out top and move a step closer to the top prize in the Middleweight World Tournament?

 

 

Round 1

 

The two go to the center. Jeffery flashing the left jab. Left hand from Ramazanov. Low kick from Jeffery. Front kick from Ramazanov as Jeffery tries to press. Ramazanov goes for a takedown, but Jeffery stops it and places Ramazanov against the fence. Short left hands from Ramazanov. Jeffery tries to drag Ramazanov off, but Ramazanov defends it well. Ramazanov not allowing Jeffery to do much with the grip. Right hand from Jeffery. Left hand to the body by Ramazanov. Another left hand from Ramazanov. Ramazanov reverses the position now, getting Jeffery against the fence, and he scores the takedown. Ramazanov tries to step into mount but can’t get it; Jeffery gets in the butterfly hooks. Jeffery hoists himself back to his feet with just over two minutes left in the round. Jeffery circles himself off the fence, using an elbow, and he gets Ramazanov back against it. Jeffery trying to lift Ramazanov, but that’s a tough task. Right hand by Jeffery. Ramazanov with a knee. Jeffery with an elbow. Right hand from Jeffery. Another knee from Ramazanov. And another. The two trade knees now. Right and a knee from Jeffery. Jeffery continuing to press. Jeffery with a few left hands as Ramazanov gets off the fence. Another clinch battle, and Jeffery lands a solid combination. Ramazanov with a solid right hand himself as the round ends.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick from Ramazanov. Jab from Ramazanov. A hook from Ramazanov. Low kick from Jeffery. Jeffery presses Ramazanov against the fence again, trying to work for a takedown once more. A few right hands from Jeffery, who elevates Ramazanov’s leg. Ramazanov reverses the position and has an underhook. Jeffery defends a takedown and presses Ramazanov back against the fence. The two break off. Low kick from Jeffery. Jab exchange now. Ramazanov with a knee. Jeffery brings Ramazanov to the fence yet again. Right hand by Jeffery. Knee from Ramazanov. Both landing knees. Uppercut by Ramazanov. One-two by Jeffery. Inside elbow by Jeffery. Single-hand tie by Jeffery.

 

Ramazanov reverses the position and gets Jeffery to the mat. Jeffery gives up his back as he gets back to his feet. Jeffery shakes Ramazanov off and brings him back up against the barrier. Ramazanov with a knee. Left hand by Ramazanov. Knee by Jeffery as he re-clinches up. Ramazanov now gets Jeffery to the fence. Jeffery stops a takedown and gets Ramazanov against the SmartCage again. They break off. Jeffery flashes a front kick. Strong left hook by Ramazanov. Clinch from Jeffery and he just misses a takedown. Instead, we’re against the SmartCage again. Jeffery with a couple of knees. Both men land left hands before the bell.

 

 

 

Round 3

 

Ramazanov immediately warned for putting fingers in Jeffrery’s glove. Right hand by Jeffery as he clinches up. Ramazanov battles him for control, but Jeffery re-takes it over and presses Ramazanov against the fence. Ramazanov with an underhook and a knee before reversing the position. One-two from Ramazanov. Knee by Jeffery. Ramazanov goes for the takedown, and Jeffery is trying to fight it off. Underhook from Jeffery, he pummels, and he’s back in clinch control now. Back to the center with a separation. Jabs from both men. Ramazanov level changes and secures the takedown. Jeffery scoots back to the fence and wall walks to get back to his feet. Ramazanov is still on him, however, and he continues to press for a takedown.

 

Another break and a couple of left hands from Ramazanov. Another clinch in the center of the SmartCage. Ramazanov backs Jeffery up and gets another takedown. A couple of elbows from Jeffery. Jeffery gets up quickly. Back down to the mat. Another elbow from Jeffery, and he’s back up to his feet again. Jeffery reverses the position and lands a knee. Left hand from Jeffery as Ramazanov forces him back into the SmartCage. Ramazanov breaks Jeffery’s posture and scores another takedown. Jeffery back standing. Right hand and a knee from Jeffery. Ramazanov goes for another takedown, but Jeffery cranks the neck. A knee from Jeffery. before the two go down. They get back up and Jeffery lands a one-two. Jeffery trying to keep the crank on as Ramazanov presses him. Ramazanov scores a takedown, but Jeffery is right back up. The round ends with Jeffery, back to the fence, landing a knee.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Aaron Jeffery def. Murad Ramazanov via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)