Antonio Carlos Junior superior to the PFL gentle heavyweight semifinals with a choice victory over Karl Moore in Could, however the truth that one choose scored in favor of his opponent raised his eyebrows.
Choose Marcel Varela gave Moore a 10-9 in rounds two and three for a 29-28 lead, whereas judges Jason Grenier and Troy Wincapaw disagreed together with his rating on the second spherical. “Shoeface” was completely happy to advance, however hopes for adjustments within the sport to keep away from what he known as a improper choice.
“I used to be form of scared with the rating of one of many judges,” Junior mentioned. “After they mentioned cut up choice I even laughed. I used to be like, ‘No approach. Which combat did this choose watch?’ I used to be actually frightened about that.”
Junior felt he dominated the combat from begin to end, however actually “slowed down” within the third, resulting in what he thought-about a good 29-28 name in his favor. Regardless of wanting again at his win as a “optimistic end result” and general efficiency after virtually a 12 months away from the sport, the Brazilian hopes North American athletic commissions work higher on coaching judges.
Varela solely labored in two fights that went the gap in 2025, in line with record-keeping web site MMA Decisions. Varela was extra lively between 2021 and 2023 with scores submitted in 58 selections, however has judged solely 4 occasions prior to now 18 months.
“In fact, you wish to end fights, particularly in a event the place you’ll have a brief time period in between fights, however it’s such a excessive degree,” Junior mentioned. “We’re speaking about high-level MMA, very skilled fighters, athletes which might be nice each technically and tactically, ? Generally it’s onerous [to finish], typically it’s a detailed combat. It’s vital to have good judges, judges which might be actually devoted to that, possibly even ex-fighters, as a result of typically it seems like there’s folks that do not know what they’re doing. I used to be form of scared, I’ll be trustworthy with you.”
A PFL gentle heavyweight event champion in 2021, Junior now faces Simeon Powell on Friday at PFL 7 in Chicago. The American Prime Staff veteran ensures he’s prepared for quarter-hour of warfare, however anticipates a end.
“He’s extra of a striker, he has nice hanging and lengthy attain, is aware of tips on how to preserve the gap and transfer nicely and use his legs,” Junior mentioned of Powell. “That makes him very harmful. [The plan is] make him stroll backwards. I’ve seen he tends to field extra and assault when he’s strolling ahead, so I gained’t give him a lot area and permit him to develop within the combat. He’s not that skilled however has report, so now we have to be good. I’m assured we’ll catch him with a submission.”
If victorious Friday, “Shoeface” advances to the $500,000 last in opposition to the winner of the PFL 7 co-main occasion bout between Phil Davis and Sullivan Cauley.
“He comes as the favourite, there’s no approach round that,” Junior mentioned of Davis. “He was the Bellator champion, fought within the UFC. He’s 40 now, a bit older, however he’s nonetheless in nice form. He’s fought nice guys and was superior, and bought a knockout [in his last fight against Rob Wilkinson]. I feel that logic says Phil Davis will win, however that is MMA. You by no means know what’s going to occur, however I feel Phil Davis is coming from the opposite aspect [of the bracket].”
