The 24-year-old Lewis McGrillen has impressed as a pro thus far, entering tonight with a 10-1 record (4-1 in PFL Europe). A striking specialist and former regional champion, McGrillen scored wins over Salih Kulucan and Amrali Saydoshurov in PFL Europe last year before a loss to Weslley Maia. Since then, the Manchester Top Team product rebounded with a decision over Matiss Zaharovs before stepping up on eight days’ notice to knock out Dean Garnett and reach the finals.
Alexander Luster has shown great finishing ability, with all nine of his victories coming via a stoppage, eight of them coming in the first round. Luster, who made his professional MMA debut in November 2017, enters tonight’s bout with a four-fight win streak. He reaches this title fight off back-to-back first-round submissions of Alperen Karabulut and Julien Lopez.
In the last PFL Europe title fight of the evening, who will become the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Champion?
Round 1
Both men coming out with speed. Luster with a body kick. Low kick from Luster. High kick from McGrillen. Strong right hand by Luster. Strong left hand drops Luster back, but he’s quickly up. Low kick from McGrillen. Another body kick from Luster. Left hand from McGrillen. High kick from Luster. McGrillen answers with a combination. Right hand stumbles Luster. Luster level changes and looks for an ankle lock, but McGrillen counters. Left hand DROPS Luster! Luster trying to protect himself in the guard. McGrillen trying to posture himself up. Referee warns Luster for having his toes in the fence.
THE FAMOUS LEWIS MCGRILLEN LEFT!
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 14, 2024
THINGS ARE HEATING UP IN THIS @PFLEurope BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT 🏆
🇫🇷 #PFLLyon
🏟️ LDLC Arena
📍 Lyon-Decines, France
LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/trJtwDQGSI
McGrillen gets out of it and the fight returns to the feet. Body kick from Luster. High kick from Luster. Left hand from McGrillen. Luster with another kick. McGrillen with a kick of his own. Luster grabs a leg, but McGrillen keeps his balance. McGrillen lands a right hand, and Luster answers. Luster goes for another takedown attempt. Luster with a knee to the head. Another knee. McGrillen landing the left hand. Strong left hand from McGrillen. Body kick from Luster. Luster’s back is to the fence. Left hand from McGrillen. Body shot by McGrillen. High kick from Luster. Left hand from McGrillen. Another flurry from McGrillen. Combinations landing for McGrillen. Luster misses a head kick at the end.
Round 2
McGrillen comes forward and lands a big left. Body kick from Luster. Another strong left hand from McGrillen, but Luster with a counter right to bust McGrillen open. Luster goes for another takedown, but it’s stopped again. Low kick from Luster. Body shot by McGrillen. Luster scores a takedown, and McGrillen quickly scrambles to get to a top-right position. McGrillen is back up and the two trade. Strong kick by Luster. Knee from Luster. The two exchanging. Luster shoots in once more, but he can’t pick the ankle. One-two from McGrillen. Luster catches a body kick.
Elbow from McGrillen and he presses Luster into the fence. Right hand on the separation from McGrillen and a body kick from Luster. McGrillen with a big right that hurts Luster. McGrillen pressures Luster into the fence. McGrillen with an elbow, and Luster answers. Left hand DROPS Luster! McGrillen goes to work with ground-and-pound. McGrillen with more and that’s it!
GAME. SET. MATCH! 👊
— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 14, 2024
Lewis McGrillen is your 2024 @PFLEurope Bantamweight Champion!
🇫🇷 #PFLLyon
🏟️ LDLC Arena
📍 Lyon-Decines, France
LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/pbZVAI9xSP
Lewis McGrillen is a PFL Europe Champion in an incredible fight!
OFFICIAL RESULT
Lewis McGrillen def. Alexander Luster via second-round TKO (punches, 3:52)