Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 7: Semifinals

PFL Light Heavyweight Semifinals

Antonio Carlos Jr. (17-6, 7-1 PFL) vs. Simeon Powell (11-1, 6-1 PFL)

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, June 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

Carlos Jr. may not be anything special on the feet, but the 2021 PFL Tournament winner has arguably the best Brazilian jiu-jitsu on the card. As a two-time world champion, Carlos Jr. has seen it all and would love to take this fight to the mat as soon as possible. Despite never having knocked out an opponent, Carlos Jr. isn’t incompetent on the feet. His superior grappling skills command respect, and he understands that they can open up his jab and leg kicks. Carlos Jr. will often double or even triple up on his jab to stay busy and accumulate points when he’s not working for a submission. In his last two fights, his wrestling and conditioning were subpar. While he is a dangerous submission threat, he sometimes stalls in bad positions and can be outworked on the ground if he can’t find a submission off his back.

If Carlos Jr. hopes to take the fight to the mat, then Powell will look to do the exact opposite. At 6-foot-4, Powell is a lanky, explosive light heavyweight who has the mean streak to put guys away in a hurry. The London native punched his ticket to the semifinals with a second-round TKO over Karl Albrektsson, but he also has a trio of submissions on his ledger. Powell probably won’t be counting on a submission to win this fight, but he’s not one to shy away from a gamble. If Powell hopes to advance to the final, however, he should look to counter the Brazilian’s jab with a long right hand and overwhelm him with a flurry of shots. Carlos Jr. is a step up in Powell’s young career, but the 26-year-old is primed to pull off the biggest win of his career.


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Edwards vs. Silveira
Davis vs. Cauley
Pettis vs. Stots
Rosta vs. Jeffery
Carlos Jr. vs. Powell
The Prelims