2019 PFL World Championship Odds & Picks
- The second season of the Professional Fighters League comes to a close on Dec. 31
- Six title fights are on the card with winners each earning $1 million
- See the odd and picks for all six title fights below
“The ball doesn’t drop until the belts are raised.” That’s the Professional Fighters League’s slogan for its season-two finale.
On New Year’s Eve, the second season of the PFL comes to a close with six title fights at Madison Square (7:00 PM ET on ESPN2). Headlining the card is PFL’s biggest star, Kayla Harrison, taking on Larissa Pacheco. Other notable title fights include Ray Cooper III vs. David Michaud, and Lance Palmer vs. Alex Gilpin.
Both Palmer and Natan Schulte are looking to win in back-to-back years. Each victor will earn $1 million in prize money.
Kayla Harrison vs Larissa Pacheco Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kayla Harrison (6-0) | -625 |
| Larissa Pacheco (13-3) | +450 |
*All odds taken Dec. 23.
This is actually a rematch of a fight at PFL 2019 1 where Harrison earned a decision win over Pacheco. Harrison was not thrilled; she knew she should have finished her opponent, which is just what she did the rest of the way, submitting Morgan Frier and Bobbi-Jo Dalziel to get the to finale. Pacheco, meanwhile, had a stunning upset over Sarah Kaufmann in the semis to advance to the final.
In this fight, Harrison will use her judo and strength to control the action and search for a submission or TKO. Ultimately, PFL started the women’s lightweight division for her and she will get the job done, winning the tournament and the million dollars.
Pick: Kayla Harrison (-625)
Ray Cooper III vs David Michaud Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ray Cooper III (19-7-1) | -150 |
| David Michaud (18-5) | +120 |
Surprisingly, Ray Cooper III and David Michaud have never fought each other before.
This may wind up being the closest title fight of the night. These two welterweights have had mixed results in the tournament. Cooper III, who lost in the finale last season, went just 1-1 in the 2019 regular season and then earned a draw in the quarters. But he ended up advancing and knocking out Chris Curtis in the semifinals.
Michaud, meanwhile, lost his first fight then went 3-0 the rest of the way to get here.
Cooper needs to use his wrestling to get this fight to the mat and avoid the power of Michaud as he has shown a questionable chin. I think the Hawaiian will be able to do that in what will be a very close fight that he wins by decision.
Pick: Ray Cooper III (-150)
Jared Rosholt vs Ali Isaev Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jared Rosholt (20-7) | +275 |
| Ali Isaev (8-0) | -350 |
Jared Rosholt has the tough task of looking to be the first person to beat Ali Isaev.
Rosholt is a unique heavyweight who relies on a wrestling base to win his fights. Yet, Isaev has shown he has insane power and very good takedown defense. So don’t expect Rosholt to be able to get him down.
If it remains on the feet, Isaev should be able to piece up the UFC veteran, and with Rosholt using energy to look for the takedown, I suspect he will gas out in the later rounds and Isaev will capitalize with a TKO win.
Pick: Ali Isaev (-350)
Natan Schulte vs Loik Radzhabov Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Natan Schulte (19-3-1) | -280 |
| Loik Radzhabov (13-1-1) | +220 |
Natan Schulte is looking to win the PFL’s lightweight tournament in back-to-back years. The Brazilian has had a very impressive run in PFL that saw him submit Yincang Bao and beat Jesse Ronson in the regular season and then submit Ramsey Nijem and Akhmet Aliev to advance to the finals.
Loik Radzhabov, meanwhile, went 2-1-1 this year in PFL but did have a very good win over Chris Wade in the semi finals.
Schulte’s wrestling will be too much, though, and the reigning champion will get Radzahbov down to the mat and submit him in the first or second round to win back-to-back titles.
Lance Palmer vs Alex Gilpin Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Lance Palmer (21-3) | -650 |
| Alex Gilpin (14-3) | +475 |
Like Schulte, Lance Palmer is also looking to win back-to-back years in the PFL.
Palmer is one of the best featherweights in the world and should have no problem with Alex Gilpin given that he has already beaten him twice this year. He earned two decision wins including a win in the semis, but a failed drug test by Daniel Pineda opened the door for Gilpin to re-enter the tournament.
Like the first two fights, Palmer will use his exceptional wrestling to dominate Gilpin and earn a third straight head-to-head win.
Pick: Lance Palmer (-650)
Jordan Johnson vs Emiliano Sordi Odds
| Fighter (Record) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jordan Johnson (12-1-1) | -140 |
| Emiliano Sordi (21-8) | +110 |
This is the lone underdog I like to get the job done on New Year’s Eve.
Jordan Johnson came into this tournament as an undefeated middleweight who left the UFC after going 4-0. He’s moved up to light heavyweight in the PFL and, since then, has had mixed results, going 2-1-1. Meanwhile, Emiliano Sordi has been very impressive going 4-0 with four finishes over Vinny Magalhaes, Bozgit Ataev (twice), and Sigi Pesaleli.
Johnson will be looking to get this fight to the ground, but Sordi has good takedown defense and should be able to dictate where the fight takes place. I suspect that, even if it does hit the mat, Sordi will ground and pound Johnson out. Regardless, I like Sordi by stoppage in this one.
Pick: Emiliano Sordi (+110)
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
