Photo provided courtesy of PFL MMA
Antônio Carlos Júnior submits Tom Lawlor early at PFL 2
Antônio Carlos Júnior comes up big
PFL will return for the second event of 2021. Last week, the promotion made it’s return after taking 2020 off due to the global pandemic.
PFL will host their second event of 2021. Rory MacDonald (21-6-1). MacDonald was a massive signing for PFL and is slated to fight Curtis Millender (18-6) in the main event.
The PFL 2 co-main event features PFL veteran and knockout artist “Bradda Boy” Ray Cooper III taking on Frenchman Jason Ponet.
Antônio Carlos Júnior (10-5) debuts with PFL on April 29, taking on also fellow promotional newcomer Tom Lawlor at PFL 2021, Week 2. The bout is part of the organization’s light heavyweight season.
Junior was among several cuts to the UFC roster made this last month. A three-fight skid, including a decision loss to veteran Brad Tavares at UFC 257, ultimately made him a free agent. PFL was quick to snap up the Brazilian. Cara de Sapato makes the move up and return to light heavyweight for this fight.
Lawlor (10-7) returns to action for the first time since suffering a unanimous decision loss to current UFC middleweight Deron Winn under the Golden Boy MMA. Lawlor, a former UFC fighter and pro wrestler, was originally scheduled to fight Jordan Johnson. However, Johnson withdrew, prompting an opponent change for Lawlor’s first fight since 2018.
Carlos Junior submits Tom Lawlor
1️⃣1️⃣ career wins
9️⃣ career submissions @caradesapatojr is a problem on the ground 😤 #2021PFL2 pic.twitter.com/3a6x8UgMg5— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 29, 2021
Here is how the fight played out round by round:
ROUND 1
Gary Copeland the man in charge. Lawlor opens up with a body kick. Junior returns with his own. Junior pumps out the jab and lands a combination. The Brazilian shoots for a takedown and is successful. Lawlor is hunting for a guillotine. Lawlor is hanging onto the submission, Junior seems comfortable in the position. Junior pops his head out and starts to land short punches in the guard. Junior rolls lawlor and hunts for the neck and grabs the guillotine and gets the TAPPP.
Official result:
Antônio Carlos Júnior defeated Tom Lawlor via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 4:43 – Earned 6 points in light heavyweight tournament standings
