Controversial split decision: Khizriev stays unbeaten despite knockdown
In the PFL Chicago co-main event, Timur Khizriev was dropped by Gabriel Braga – yet two judges had him ahead. The crowd booed.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
Timur Khizriev kept his perfect record in the PFL Chicago co-main event – with a verdict that has sparked debate. All three judges scored the featherweight rematch with Gabriel Braga 29-28, two for Khizriev and one for Braga. The Wintrust Arena crowd booed the split decision. Khizriev is now 19-0, Braga 17-4.
Braga wobbled Khizriev with a left hand in the first round and dropped him with right hands early in the second, while stuffing Khizriev's takedown attempts. Khizriev landed an uppercut and a knee of his own and weathered the storm. According to MMA News, Braga was also the one pressing in the third round.
The two had already met at the 2024 PFL World Tournament, which Khizriev won. Before the fight he said he wanted to earn a title shot with a win over Braga. Also on the main card: Sarvarjon Khamidov knocked out Rafael do Nascimento at 1:49 of the first round, and Oualy Tandia beat JP Saint Louis by unanimous decision.