Alexander Luster takes an aggressive approach to his fights, showcasing power and an ability to bring fights to a close quickly and dramatically. Luster, at 7-1, has scored finishes in all of his victories with four KO/TKOs and three submissions. Luster has won back-to-back bouts and four of five, most recently finishing Ben Davis in October 2022.

 

Alperen Karabulut is a master of several disciplines, with backgrounds in Muay Thai, European kickboxing, and international freestyle wrestling. A champion in all three of these disciplines, Karabulut comes into tonight with a 10-3 (1 NC) record, which includes four victories by KO/TKO. He’s gone winless in three straight, however, and most recently competed in August, getting stopped by Gocha Shainidze.

 

As both compete in a major MMA promotion for the first time, who will come out on top in this bantamweight regular-season battle?

 

 

Round 1

 

One-two by Karabulut to start. Karabulut misses a quick power left hook. Heavy low kick from Luster. Karabulut misses speedy strikes. Another low kick from Luster. Karabulut with a low kick and he scores a takedown. Luster threatens a guillotine, but Karabulut gets out and looks for mount. Luster looks for a nasty kneebar, but Karabulut gets out of it. Karabulut wants a guillotine, but Luster is looking to transition. He gets on top and is looking for a Von Flue choke! Luster looks to get mount. He gets to the back and locks in a choke! Karabulut taps out!

 

 

Luster gets the better of Karabulut in that grappling exchange and moves on to the Bantamweight Playoffs!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Alexander Luster defeats Alperen Karabulut by 1st round submission (rear-naked choke, 1:59) and qualifies for the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Playoffs