Claudio Pacella has gotten off to a strong start to his MMA career, winning four of his first six fights. A regional lightweight champion, Pacella scored knockouts in three of his first four victories before joining PFL Europe. Pacella dropped a decision to Patrick Habirora in March in his PFL Europe debut but rebounded with a decision over Mark Ewen in June.

 

Oscar Ownsworth comes into tonight’s bout with five wins in his last six fights, with five of his eight victories coming by way of a finish. Also a former regional lightweight champion, Ownsworth competed in PFL Europe’s first-ever fight in March 2023, defeating Lewis Monarch by split decision. Ownsworth was last in action at Bellator’s event in Belfast in March, losing to Alfie Davis.

 

Which of these two will impress in the opening bout to the final PFL event of 2024?

 

 

Round 1

 

The two take to the center. Low kick from Pacella. A couple of low shots from Ownsworth. Combination from Pacella. Right hand lands for Pacella. Jumping knee attempt just misses for Ownsworth. Pacella pressuring early. Another right hand by Pacella. Ownsworth misses a flying knee again. Pacella with a one-two. Pacella with a left overhand. Low kick and a one-two to follow from Pacella. Ownsworth with a couple of low kicks, but Pacella with a one-two. Round kick from Ownsworth. Body shot from Pacella. Low kicks from Ownsworth. Right hand from Pacella, who is backing Ownsworth up. Low kick from Pacella. Quick right hand from Ownsworth. Leg kick from Ownsworth.

 

Round kick from Ownsworth. Pacella trying to get inside. One-two from Ownsworth. One-two from Ownsworth. A couple of strong hooks from Pacella. Ownsworth misses the flying knee again. Ownsworth looking for knees. Pacella gets the underhook, but Ownsworth presses Pacella against the fence. Ownsworth looking to land the knees in the clinch. Ownsworth looks for the back, looking to wrap his legs around Pacella. Pacella lands a knee to get out of it. Head kick attempt from Ownsworth doesn’t land. Pacella presses Ownsworth into the fence.

 

 

Round 2

 

Ownsworth looks for a couple of jabs. Powerful body shot from Pacella before he pins Ownsworth against the fence. Pacella pressuring, developing wrist control. Ownsworth with an underhook, and he reverses the position. Ownsworth looks to attack the neck, but Pacella gets back in control. The two separate. Right hand from Pacella. Low kick from Ownsworth. Right hand from Pacella. Right hand from Pacella. Left hand from Pacella. Pacella lands with a strong left hand. Round kick misses for Pacella, and Ownsworth level changes and scores the takedown.

 

Referee quick to call for action. Ownsworth with some left hands. More calls for action from the referee. Pacella gets to his feet, but Ownsworth briefly holds his back. Pacella gets away and tries to get back onto the attack. Pacella presses Ownsworth into the fence again. A couple of low knees from Pacella. More knees from Pacella, targeting Ownsworth’s legs. Elbow from Pacella on the separation just misses the head. Knee to the body by Pacella. The round ends with Pacella pressing Ownsworth against the fence.

 

 

Round 3

 

Stomping kick by Ownsworth. High kick from Ownsworth is blocked. Left hook to the body by Pacella. Ownsworth tries for elbows, but Pacella lands a pair of rights. Inside combination by Pacella as he pressures Ownsworth again. Ownsworth misses the elbow again. Strong right hand from Pacella, wobbling Ownsworth for a moment. Left hook from Pacella. Pacella gets the underhook again and presses Ownsworth against the fence. Pacella with a knee. Ownsworth with a knee of his own on the separation. Ownsworth has a bit of blood on him. Pacella lands an elbow as he clinches Ownsworth against the fence again.

 

Another elbow from Pacella as the referee calls for action. Knees from Pacella landing to the legs. Ownsworth reverses the position. Knee from Ownsworth. Another knee from Ownsworth, but Pacella tries to fight back. Pacella goes for a level change, but Ownsworth has a hold of him. Ownsworth still looking for the neck it seems. Ownsworth with a head kick after the separation, as well as a front kick to the body. Pacella appears to be shelling up, protecting his body. Ownsworth with the knees to the body. Pacella looking to land the right hand. Ownsworth now the one coming forward. Pacella misses a swinging overhand. Strong elbow from Pacella.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Claudio Pacella def. Oscar Ownsworth via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27 x2)