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Damion Nelson survives pressure, uses his striking to score split decision nod

August 15, 2025 | Thomas Albano

Damion Nelson, fighting out of Long Island, has won four straight after enduring a slight rough patch in the past few years. Nelson has finishes in three of his eight victories and has picked up a regional featherweight title. He last fought in February, finishing Travis Demko.

Isaiah Diggs transitioned to MMA following time as a wrestler at the University of Colorado - Pueblo. After a 6-0 run on the amateur circuit, Diggs is currently 5-0 as a pro, with all wins coming via unanimous decision. Diggs defeated Dusty Shaffer in June to pick up a regional featherweight title of his own.

Which of these two will impress in this showcase outing that kicks off the night’s action in Charlotte?

Round 1

Nelson with a left hand. Diggs with a right as the two flash their jabs. Three-punch combination from Diggs backs Nelson back up. An exchange, and Diggs gets a body lock on Nelson, bringing him to the fence. A couple of knees from Nelson. A separation a minute into the fight, but Diggs stays on him. Nelson works the left hand. Diggs lands a short right hook. A pair of punches from Nelson, but Diggs continues to press. Diggs goes for a takedown and nearly gets it. Nelson is against the fence and Diggs lands a knee. Right hand by Diggs, and Nelson responds in kind.

Diggs presses Nelson into the fence again. Knee by Diggs. Nelson gets off the cage but is still facing Diggs’ pressure. Nelson works the uppercut again. Diggs once again pushes him into the SmartCage. Diggs with a combination before pushing him against the fence once more. Another takedown attempt, and this time he gets it. Nelson gets up but Diggs has back control. Ref asks for action. Wrist control battle here. Nelson with a knee. Diggs separates and lands a left hook on the break. He presses Nelson again and lands knees to the body. Diggs scores a takedown and nearly locks up a front choke as Nelson tries to get up, but the horn sounds.

Round 2

Left hand misses for Nelson. Right hand by Diggs and he presses and gets a brief body lock, but Nelson breaks it with an elbow. That doesn’t deter Diggs, and he presses Nelson back on the fence. Nelson with a knee up the middle, and Diggs lands a right hand. Diggs with another takedown attempt, and Nelson throws a few punches to the head to break the single-leg attempt. Left hand and a one-two by Diggs before another takedown attempt. Another solid knee for Nelson to get off the fence. Right hand by Nelson, but Diggs presses again. Another knee by Nelson, and a pair of unsuccessful throws by Diggs.

Kimura grip for Nelson. Right hand by Diggs. A separation. A high kick attempt by Nelson is blocked. Left hand by Nelson. Nelson with a one-two. Nelson uses his footwork to avoid another attempt from Diggs. Jab by Nelson. Diggs with a left hand, and he pushes to the fence again. Nelson with a right hand. He misses an uppercut but lands a jab. Diggs pushes him again, but Nelson lands a short elbow. Left hand by Diggs. Nelson with a right hand and it forces Diggs back. Diggs ends the round by pressing Nelson into the SmartCage again.

TONS of action in the first fight of the night! Round 3 starts NOW 🍿

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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 15, 2025

Round 3

High kick and a right hand from Nelson. Jabs from both men. Body shot by Diggs. Nelson misses a big overhand right. Nelson lands an elbow. A pair of left jabs from Nelson. Diggs presses Nelson into the SmartCage again. Nelson works his way off the fence. Both men land quick shots. Diggs misses a left. Knee by Nelson backs Diggs up a step. Diggs comes forward with a right. Left hand by Diggs. The two trade combinations. A couple of rights from Diggs as he puts Nelson on the fence again. One-two by Diggs, but Nelson comes up the middle again.

Another takedown attempt by Diggs, and the control battle goes around the SmartCage. Nelson escapes. Diggs with a right hand. Another exchange before Diggs presses Nelson. Diggs lands a couple of body shots. A right and a left by Diggs. Some exchanging before another clinch battle. Nelson gets off. Diggs misses a right hand. The two exchange, and, again, Diggs gets Nelson against the fence. Diggs rips a three-punch combination before separation. Right hand by Nelson. Left hand by Nelson. Diggs misses a right. Another exchange. Left hand by Nelson. A high kick by Nelson is blocked. Strong uppercut by Diggs backs Nelson up! Nelson swings back! Diggs presses Nelson into the fence. Body shot by Diggs. The two slug it out in the final few seconds.

What a start to the night! We will go to the judge's scorecards for a decision.

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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 15, 2025