Shamil Musaev has yet to taste defeat in MMA, as an amateur or pro, and it led him to this major moment as the No. 1 seed in this year’s PFL Welterweight Playoffs. Musaev put up plenty of highlights while competing for MMA promotions across Europe and Asia, and he has previously scored bronze and silver medals at the Russian World Championships in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Musaev earned the top seed this year through second-round finishes of Logan Storley and Murad Ramazanov during the Regular Season.

 

Ramazanov will come into this fight looking to seek redemption, as the loss to Musaev marked the sole blemish of his MMA career. Ramazanov, a training partner of Khabib and Usman Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, also competed in noteworthy promotions throughout Europe and Asia, which includes a fight with Roberto Soldic that went to a no-contest. Despite the loss to Musaev, Ramazanov still made the playoffs thanks, in part, to a first-round submission of Laureano Staropoli.

 

Will Musaev make lightning strike twice to clinch a spot in the finals? Or will Ramazanov score his revenge to clinch the first title fight spot?

 

 

Round 1

 

Ramazanov coming forward as Musaev circles the outside. Low kick by Musaev. Ramazanov has Musav pressured toward the fence. Left hand by Musaev. Right hand for Ramazanov is blocked. Ramazanov comes forward with a takedown attempt, and he’s got Musaev’s back to the fence. Ramazanov struggles, holding the leg but trying to get to the hips. Ramazanov has Musaev up in a lift, but Musaev holds on. Ramazanov continuing to press.

 

Ramazanov eventually lets go halfway through the round, and Musave throws punches off the break. Ramazanov’s level change is prevented. Musaev comes forward with some striking. Left hand and a takedown attempt from Ramazanov. Musaev puts up some fight, but Ramazanov scores the takedown. Musaev gets right back to his feet. Ramazanov is on the back, clinging to Musaev and controlling the action. Musaev gets into a clinch and throws a knee. Short left from Musaev. Musaev sprawls. Musaev lands a couple of short, inside uppercuts. Musaev misses a huge spinning back kick. Ramazanov looks to take advantage of him going off balance. Musaev tries to fight with his own grappling. Musaev does some swinging to the bell.

 

 

Round 2

 

One-two from Musaev. Combination from Musaev as he comes forward. Spinning kick misses again for Musaev, and Ramazanov presses him into the fence again. Musaev counters Ramazanov’s takedown attempt and looks to gain back control. Musaev defending the wrestling of Ramazanov, and Musaev ends up being the one to trip Ramazanov and score the takedown. Musaev gets to Ramazanov’s back. Musaev keeping pressure, as Ramazanov is struggling to get to his feet.

 

Ramazanov back to his feet, battling for hand control. Right hand by Musaev. Ramazanov with a Whizzer to get to chest-to-chest, but Musaev trips him and brings the fight back to the floor. Left hand from top position by Musaev. Ramazanov back on the feet, his chest against the fence. Another left hand from Musaev. Musaev gets Ramazanov off balance again. Left hands once more form Musaev. Musaev gets into top position and looks for a face-up crucifix. Musaev lets Ramazanov back to his feet. Musaev with a combination and pressing Ramazanov into the fence again. Ramazanov tries a low-single before the horn, but it’s far from successful.

 

 

Round 3

 

Ramazanov goes for a takedown, but Musaev easily shrugs it off. Ramazanov looks tired. Flurry of strikes from Musaev ending with a high kick. Weak one-two from Ramazanov. One-two from Musaev. Ramazanov trying to hold the center, but he’s not doing anything with it. Another combination from Musaev. Uppercut from Musaev. One-two from Musaev. Ramazanov tries to take Musaev down against the fence, but Musaev gets away easily again. Right hand blocked for Musaev.

 

Musaev presses Ramazanov into the fence. Right hand by Musaev. Another three-punch combination by Musaev. Left hand by Musaev. Ramazanov misses the right hand. Ramazanov misses a pair of right hands. Musaev going for a single-leg. Musaev scores the takedown against the fence. A body lock sees Musaev go for a trip, but Ramazanov prevents it. Another body lock, and the referee separates them with a warning to Ramazanov for grabbing Musaev’s glove. Another harsh combination from Musaev, and he narrowly missed a kick to the face. One more body lock, and Musaev ends the fight pressing Ramazanov to the fence.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Shamil Musaev defeats Murad Ramazanov by unanimous decision (30-27x2, 29-28) in the PFL Welterweight Semifinals, earning a spot in the 2024 PFL World Championship. He’ll fight the winner of Magomed Umalatov vs. Neiman Gracie for the welterweight belt and $1 million.

  • Musaev remains undefeated at 19-0-1
  • Musaev qualifies for the PFL World Championship in his first PFL season
  • Musaev goes by the nickname “The Silent Assassin”