Antônio Carlos Júnior submits Tom Lawlor early at PFL 2

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 

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

author avatar
Lenny March
Aspiring reporter. First locked my eyes on MMA in 2011, and from that night I knew I was invested - haven't took my eyes of MMA since. Growing up watching some of the greats to lock horns, and watch the best MMA has to offer, GSP,Silva, Jones and many more. Been dedicated more then ever to write articles for MMA more then ever, the mission is to get to the top and wont stop until that is accomplished,