Robert Watley survives pressure, pulls off highlight, comeback third-round finish

Mads Burnell is one of the more well-known PFL stars coming out of Europe, with 20 wins on his professional MMA record so far. Burnell, a former regional champion and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, joined the PFL in 2024 after a 5-2 run in Bellator. Burnell is 2-2 in PFL so far, losing to Jay Jay Wilson back in April.

Robert Watley was a rising star on the regional scene, picking up regional lightweight titles and scoring notable wins over Pat Sabatini and Thiago Moises. He then joined the PFL for the 2018 season, losing to Will Brooks and Chris Wade. After one more victory in 2019, Watley took a four-year hiatus from MMA, but he has since won another three fights and picked up another regional title. Watley last fought in July, submitting Morquez Forest.

Will it be Burnell or Watley who gets their hand raised in the first bout of the main card in North Carolina?

Round 1

Watley works a right hand and tries to get outside. Burnell with a body kick. Burnell with another body kick. Front kick by Burnell. Burnell shoots in and picks Watley up. He puts him down and threatens Watley’s neck. Watley gets up, but Burnell briefly remains on his neck. Another takedown attempt by Burnell. Watley lasts but has to survive another neck attack. A couple of body punches by Burnell. Small knee by Watley. Burnell tries to get to Watley’s back with the two against the fence. Low knee by Watley. Burnell with another body shot. A couple of left hands from Burnell.

Burnell lands a pair of lefts to the body. Burnell grabs a hold of a leg but Watley resists the takedown. Watley with a left hand, followed by a right hook. Both men land in the pocket before Burnell presses Watley to the fence again. Burnell lands a left. A strong right hand to end a combination does damage! Watley with a kick to the body. Watley tries a trip but can’t get it. Both land a right. Burnell lands to the body and we get another body lock, with him pressing Watley into the fence. Body blow by Burnell. Watley with hand control, but Burnell gets one more takedown before the horn.

Round 2

Both with low kicks, more so from Watley. Burnell does damage to the body and he’s pressuring Watley. Burnell presses Watley against the SmartCage. Inside knee by Watley. Right hand by Burnell. Watley throws Burnell and puts himself into close range with a right hand. Burnell presses back and lands to the body again. Left hand and a knee for Burnell. Burnell gets to Watley’s back standing, executing a sweep that briefly gets Watley down.

The two continue to battle in the clinch along the fence. Watley misses a switch knee from that close of range. Burnell gets to the back again, and Watley tries to work on the hands of Burnell. Burnell presses for another takedown attempt. Watley works his way off, but Burnell with a punch on the break. Another body kick by Burnell. Burnell presses Watley into the SmartCage again. Inside shots from both men. Burnell with a double-leg takedown. Watley gets back to his feet and gets back to hand control. The two with punches, and Watley seemed to wobble Burnell a bit. A brief exchange before the round ends with Burnell needing to pick his mouthpiece back up.

Round 3

Low kicks from both men. Head kick lands for Watley! Now a knee! Watley tries to turn the heat up, but Burnell presses him back into the fence. Burnell goes for another takedown, but Watley rolls into top position. Big scramble battle, with Watley ending on top. A couple of big elbows from Watley. Solid right hand by Watley. Left elbow by Watley. Burnell sweeps him, but Watley scrambles right back on top. Watley in half-guard, trying to posture up with ground-and-pound. Burnell tries for wrist control. Watley almost gets full mount, but his pressure from top is still there. He passes the guard of Burnell easily. Right hand by Watley. Left hand by Watley.

The 3rd Round between Mads Burnell & Robert Watley starts with a BANG! 🔥

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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 16, 2025

Strong elbow by Watley.Watley gets to Burnell’s back. Watley continues to do damage. The ref steps in! What a comeback!!

ROBERT WATLEY ENDS IT WITH HIS ELBOWS 😱

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— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 16, 2025

Robert Watley with a strong, enduring performance to score the late finish!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Robert Watley defeats Mads Burnell by 3rd round TKO (2:17) in a lightweight showcase bout