Apologies but I had a long day at work and have an early start tomorrow. I will update this in 24 hours from the time of posting with a written article. This is an interesting card as it starts the era where the PFL will use a more traditional rankings system (to my understanding anyways). The card will be broadcast on DAZN on Saturday 13th December at 11:00 AM ET.

VADIM NEMKOV (19-2) vs. RENAN FERREIRA (13-4) – Heavyweight Championship

If Nemokov doesn't get knocked out early he should win this. Ferreira is a huge heavyweight and he hits hard but his wrestling has been exploited by multiple opponents now. Even before he was mauled by Ngannou we saw him controlled against the cage by Rizvan Kuniev for multiple minutes. We have also seen him taken down by multiple opponents. I used to think Ferreira had some grappling ability based off of his controversial no contest against Werdum in 2021, but since then we haven't seen any real submission attempts. Nemkov doesn't have the best striking defense which is concerning as he is fighting a really dangerous striker. But he has solid wrestling offense and once he gets a take down he has good control and is now on a two fight submission streak. Outside of Ferreira landing big, I think Nemkov has more tools to win the fight with his wrestling and grappling.

Pick: Vadim Nemkov by submission. Medium confidence.

CRIS CYBORG (28-2) vs. SARA COLLINS (6-0) – Women's Featherweight Championship

I have been trying to fade Sara Collins ever since she got signed to Bellator. She fights with a judo style, getting take downs against the cage and then searching for control and submissions. Her striking isn't anything special so she will need to try grappling aggressively here. Cyborg is nearly 41 years old so retirement is likely around the corner, especially with her crossing over to boxing recently. It was only a year ago she beat Larissa Pacheco and I don't think Collins is near Pacheco's level.

Pick: Cris Cyborg by KO/TKO. High confidence.

PATRICK HABIRORA (7-0) vs. KEVIN JOUSSET (10-4) – Welterweight

This is a very intriguing fight. Jousset is fighting for the first time since he was released from the UFC and he faces off against the undefeated KO artist Patrick Habirora. Habirora is a very hyped fighter from Belgium, knwon for his freaky athletic ability and KO power. He has some fantastic movement and counters. He has incredibly fast hands and has shown that on more than one occasion. Habirora is coming off his best win over former UFC fighter Danny Roberts in the first round. He has shown decent take down defense, but that be tested again against Jousset who has a judo background. If I was to critique Habirora it would be that he can find himself waiting for the opportunity to come to land a counter, instead of going first. Despite his fights not lasting long, that does lead to a few moments where not a lot is going on. Jousset will offer the toughest test of his career. He wasn't in the UFC for very long but he did go 2-2 with a win over Song Kenan. Jousset trains out of City Kickboxing but his striking was exposed as being very stiff and robotic against Bryan Battle. This is the complete opposite to Habirora – who is very smooth with his striking even if his technique isn't perfect. One of Jousset's biggest weaknesses is that he doesn't move his head much and I don't love his striking defense. I am not as confident in Habirora as the odds and tapology voting suggests, but I am going to pick him to win by KO as I think he has all the tools to exploit Jousset's biggest weaknesses.

Pick: Patrick Habirora by KO/TKO. Low confidence.

TAYLOR LAPILUS (22-4) vs. LIAM GITTINS (13-4) – Bantamweight

I feel like there is a lot to say about this fight, but also not much at all. I would be surprised if Lapilus lost as I do just think he is better than Gittins everywhere. I am a big Cage Warriors fan and they have produced some legendary prospects, but I don't think Gittins is one of them. He was a defending champion so it is very deserved that he gets a big call up like this. Gittins is muay thai striker who can mix in wrestling if the striking isn't going his way. Lapilus isn't the most exciting fighter but he knows how to win. He has very, very strong take down defense and while on the feet he maintains technical striking to stay ahead. Lapilus has defended take downs against better wrestlers so this fight will take place on the feet, and I just don't think Gittins is going to be able to put enough hands on him to win a decision.

Pick: Taylor Lapilus by decision. High confidence.

DEAN GARNETT (14-3-1) vs. BARIS ADIGUZEL (9-1) – Europe Bantamweight Finals

This is a tough fight to pick as Garnett has fought significantly better competition throughout his career. He is definitely the most proven of the two fighters, but he is 37 years old now at bantamweight which I don't like. He also just took a careers worth of damage against Lewis McGrillen where he was knocked down multiple times throughout the fight before being finished in the third round. He is the grappler in this grappler vs. striker match up which makes this tough. Adiguzel is on a tear right now – he is on a 6 fight win streak with 5 of this wins ending by KO in less than two minutes. After seeing Francishinelli lose to Piersma the other weekend it gives me a lot of reserve picking the KO artist with pretty unknown cardio and take down defense. The one time we saw him get extended he lost by TKO in round 3 and he gassed out pretty bad in round 2. This being a 5 round fight definitely favours Garnett because he could lose the first two or three rounds and still have plenty of time to take over the fight if Adiguzel does gas out. There is a clear path to victory for both guys here which is why I can't make a confident pick.

Pick: Baris Adiguzel by KO/TKO. Low confidence.

CONNOR HUGHES (12-2) vs. ALEKSANDR CHIZOV (12-3) – Europe Lightweight Finals

5 round fight favours Hughes a lot here as Chizov's cardio is a big weakness. Hughes is also pretty big for the weight class as well which should match Chizov's height of 6'0″ well. Hughes has fought in a 5 round fight before but he did lose in the 4th round to Jakub Kaszuba who is now 15-0 and is one of PFL's best prospects. I just don't see Chizov being able to maintain the pace required to win 3 rounds over Hughes, or get an early finish over him.

Pick: Connor Hughes. Medium confidence.