Emiliano Sordi on Antonio Carlos Junior 2021 Playoffs bout at PFL 9

Emiliano Sordi tests skills with Antonio Carlos Junior in a consequential light heavyweight bout at PFL 9.

The latest from Professional Fighters League goes down on Friday, August 27th from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The broadcast takes place on ESPN 2 and ESPN+ as the 2021 PFL Playoffs continue.

Emiliano Sordi carved his name out on several circuits like Jungle Fight, Bellator MMA, and Dana White’s Contender Series. He has been part of the PFL fold since August 2018.

The 2019 PFL light heavyweight champion looks to eventually win consecutive promotional tournaments. To put himself in a position to do that, Sordi needs to extend his unbeaten streak across his pair of PFL seasons to eight straight and best Shoeface.

I spoke with the dominant PFL 205 pounder, through the aid of a translator, at the virtual media day. The excerpt from my interaction with Sordi is below.

Emiliano Sordi

Working with Phil Davis, Jesse Taylor, etc, and the main sparring partners ahead of this one

“In particular to Jesse Taylor and to Phil Davis, they are both in his wrestling camp to help his wrestling game. Jesse Taylor went two seasons, Phil Davis is a college national champion. But they are only a part of his team. Because in the local San Diego area, the team is much bigger than just those two individuals. They are just part of the overall strategy for his wrestling.”

The 2nd Light Heavyweight Showdown:

🇦🇷 vs 🇧🇷
Dogo vs Shoeface
@emilianosordi vs @caradesapatojr pic.twitter.com/u1r4qSY2mU

— PFL (@PFLMMA) August 23, 2021

An undefeated streak running through the last couple of PFL seasons. Faced some very tenured light heavyweights throughout the PFL’s history.

I’m wondering where does Antonio Carlos Junior stack up to previous opponents that you have tested skills with?

“I view Shoeface as on the same level of my other opponents. We are in the big leagues. So, you know, once you’re on this level, any single mistake can cost you the fight.”

Dylan Bowker

I've been enamored with combat sports for as long as I can remember. I've hosted MMA talk shows Lights Out and Pure Fight Radio with featured guests like Jens Pulver, Roy Nelson, Miesha Tate, Mark Coleman, and more. I've been an MMA broadcaster for XFFC as well as BTC and have done play by play commentary on live pay per view on GFL as well as FITE TV. I've provided written, audio, and video content covering some of the biggest MMA promotions like Rumble in the Cage, Unified MMA, and King of the Cage. I've worked as a sports entertainment personality for over five years and given play-by-play or featured promotions of KSW, ONE Championship, TKO, and Invicta FC. My work can be found in the USA Today Sports affiliate MMA Torch, Cageside Press, MMA Sucka, and Liberty Multimedia.

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