Bracketology: 2025 PFL Europe Bantamweight, Lightweight Tournaments

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The Professional Fighters League Europe tournament semifinals took place on Friday, with championship matchups being set in the bantamweight and lightweight divisions. After two events for each division, the brackets are down to two fighters each, and the stage is set to crown 2025 kings.

Here’s a look at the updated brackets following PFL Europe 3: 2025 Semifinal Playoffs in Nantes, France.

2025 PFL Europe Lightweight Final: Aleksandrs Chizovs vs. Connor Hughes

In the first lightweight semifinals matchup of the event, Chizovs had a tough, drawn-out battle against Claudio Pacella through all three rounds. Chizovs was able to pull out the split decision victory, a fight in which he controlled most of the early stages of the bout. Pacella came out strong in the third and final frame, landing big shots that hurt Chizovs, but he was able to weather the storm and get the nod from the judges.

Hughes did not need 15 minutes to cement his place in the lightweight championship, taking on Gino van Steenis, the younger brother of PFL middleweight champion Costello van Steenis. The fight was a slow one to start, with both men looking for their opening and opportunity. Hughes landed a smooth and clean head kick that shut off the lights of van Steenis. In 2024 Hughes was the runner-up in the PFL Europe lightweight tournament, and now has a chance at total redemption.

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2025 PFL Europe Bantamweight Final: Dean Garnett vs. Baris Adiguzel

After having a disappointing 2024 run with PFL Europe, Garnett reeled off two straight victories in this year’s tournament, including his championship clinching win over Jan Cieplowski on Friday. Garnett dominated in areas of his grappling and control throughout the match against Cieplowski, who became desperate in the third stanza, shooting for a takedown and opening the door for the veteran. Garnett quickly locked in a guillotine choke and got the submission victory.

Very similar to the lightweight matchups, Adiguzel, the second semifinalist to compete in his division, wasted no time in getting the victory. Taking on Julien Lopez in the Semifinals, Adiguzel ran through his opponent, knocking him out with a flurry of punches just 36 seconds into the first period.