A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Antonio Carlos Jr.’s submission credentials are highly noteworthy, with 12 of his 16 victories coming by way of tapout. The American Top Team product scored victories over Tom Lawlor, Emiliano Sordi, and Marthin Hamlet in 2021 to capture the PFL light heavyweight championship that season. Carlos Junior defeated Delan Monte and Bruce Souto to continue his path of success but ended up withdrawing from the playoffs due to a knee injury. Carlos Jr. returned in April with a win over Simon Biyong.

 

A former light heavyweight champion on the regional circuit, Alex Polizzi has eight stoppages in his 10 victories thus far. Polizzi, who wrestled at Northwestern, went 4-3 in the Bellator cage before coming over to the PFL. Polizzi was unsuccessful in his PFL debut in April, getting quickly stopped by last year’s light heavyweight champion, Impa Kasanaganay.

 

A win of any kind gets “Shoeface” back to the playoffs. Polizzi, meanwhile, needs a first-round finish for any kind of shot at making the postseason.

 

 

Round 1

 

Polizzi immediately shoots in and scores a takedown. Carlos Jr. gets right back to his feet. Low kick from Polizzi. Carlos Jr. with a couple of left hands. Low kick from Polizzi. Polizzi flashes the left hand. Carlos Jr. lands a right hand that damages Polizzi, who drops down and looks to wrestle. Carlos Jr. landing to the body as Polizzi runs Carlos Jr. against the fence. Right hand from Carlos Jr. on the separation. Carlos Jr. with another right hand.

 

 

Low kick from Carlos Jr. Right hand from Carlos Jr. Left hand by Polizzi. Polizzi looks to go inside, but Carlos Jr. lands a knee, and now he presses Polizzi. Carlos Jr. gets Polizzi down. Carlos Jr. gets to Polizzi’s back. Polizzi trying to shake him off, and he escapes. Polizzi misses with the left. Polizzi with a left hand. Polizzi with a kick to the body. Low kick from Polizzi. Polizzi with a pair of left jabs. Polizzi lands a one-two and goes for a takedown, but the bell sounds.

 

 

Round 2

 

Jab from Carlos Jr. Low kick from Polizzi. Another low kick from Polizzi. Another leg kick, and Polizzi grabs at the leg, looking for the takedown. Carlos Jr. resists the attempt, and he is able to get Polizzi’s back to the fence. Polizzi looking to wrap around Carlos Jr.’s neck. Polizzi looking to crank a potential guillotine, but Carlos Jr. is able to work himself out of it.

 

 

Halfway through the round, and the two return to the center of the SmartCage. Solid left hand from Carlos Jr. Right hand by Carlos Jr. One-two from Polizzi, and he looks for the takedown again. Carlos Jr. steps over, but Polizzi grabs a hold of his back. Polizzi lands a couple of knees to the leg, but Polizzi switches and is able to get Carlos Jr. down. Polizzi wraps up one of Carlos Jr.’s arms with his legs and lands several right hands. Carlos Jr. rolls and gets his guard up. Carlos Jr. lands a couple of left hands. Polizzi staying on top, but he’s not delivering anything here. Carlos Jr. doing all the work from the bottom position.

 

 

Round 3

 

Polizzi lands a couple of jabs to start things off here. Left hand from Carlos Jr. Another left from Carlos Jr. Knee to the body by Polizzi. Right hand from Carlos Jr. Left hand from Polizzi. One-two from Carlos Jr. A couple of left hands from Polizzi. Polizzi grabs a hold of Carlos Jr.’s leg and looks for another takedown attempt. Polizzi wrestles his way to the back, but Carlos Jr. counters and gets on top of Polizzi, looking to get his back. Polizzi gets away and back to his feet, but Carlos Jr. lands some striking in response.

 

Carlos Jr. looks for another takedown, but Polizzi stops it. Polizzi landing a number of right hands to the head of Carlos Jr. Polizzi appears to have Carlos Jr. in a face-down crucifix position. Carlos Jr. escapes briefly, but Polizzi wrestles him back down with about a minute left in the fight. Polizzi with a couple of left hands. Polizzi on top here, continuing with the left hands. And that’s where the fight ends.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Alex Polizzi defeats Antonio Carlos Jr. by unanimous decision (29-29x3) in the Light Heavyweight Division.

  • Polizzi earns the win, but is eliminated from playoff contention
  • Carlos Jr. is also eliminated from playoff contention