Marcirley Alves takedown defenses, striking leads him to score upset and move on in tournament

The longtime training partner of the Pitbull brothers, Leandro Higo made his professional MMA debut in January 2006 and has gone on to become a noteworthy name at bantamweight. Entering his PFL debut tonight with a 23-6 record, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has scored 16 finishes and a 7-3 Bellator record, which include notable wins over the likes of Darrion Caldwell, Ricky Bandejas, and Nikita Mikhailov. Higo most recently fought at the Bellator Champions Series event in March 2024, defeating James Gallagher.

Marcirley Alves was set to be in an alternate bout, but circumstances now lead him to compete in the main event against a name like Higo for a semifinal spot – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The 25-year-old is a former regional bantamweight champion with a 12-4 record, including nine finishes. Alves last fought at the Bellator Champions Series card in Dublin last June, dropping a decision to Sarvarjon Khamidov.

Who will score the final bantamweight semifinals spot in tonight’s main event?

Round 1

Alves misses a low kick. Right hand and a quick left for Alves. Low kick from Higo. Left hand from Alves. Right hand flashed by Alves. Body shot by Alves. Higo lands a kick to the midsection. Powerful right hand by Alves. Alves lands a left hand but misses on a level change takedown attempt. Higo throws a high kick but gets none of it. Right hand from Higo. Higo goes in for a takedown, but Alves sprawls. Low kick lands for Alves, and he cracks Higo with a left hand!

Some follow-up shots from Alves, but Higo circles out of it. Higo might be recovered. Higo looks to pull half-guard. Higo grabs a hold of Alves’ left arm there. Alves starts to hammer fist. Elbow from Alves. Higo looking to elevate and sweep Alves. Higo gets his legs around one of Alves’. Alves keeping frames into the upper body and he stacks Higo against the fence. Some right hands from Higo on the bottom. And some more from Higo. Higo continues to pepper from the bottom. Elbow from Alves. Alves finishes the round on top.

Round 2

Higo goes for a flying knee! But Alves gets out of the way. Higo with a low kick, and Alves gets his cup checked. Alves throws a power left, but Higo shoots for the takedown. Alves smartly sprawls, however. Alves misses another power shot, and Higo lands a long-range jab. Right hand by Alves. Higo goes for a double-leg, and Alves defends again. Alves avoids another takedown attempt. Alves fights off a stronger effort from Higo. Right hand from Higo. Another takedown defended as Higo eats a nasty uppercut. Left hand from Alves. Knee from Higo.

Left hand from Alves. Right hand missed by Higo. Both miss lefts. Low kick from Higo. Low kick from Alves. Left hand from Alves. Right hand from Alves. Another right hand by Alves. Alves sprawls on another takedown attempt. Higo with a knee, however, on the stand up. Higo with a strong jab. Strong sprawl by Alves again. Higo gets up and drives Alves into the fence. Higo is really driving forward, but Alves uses his strength to battle back. Higo throwing low kicks.

Round 3

Low kick from Higo. Right hand from Alves. One-two from Alves. Another low kick from Higo, and it’s another cup check. Left hand misses from Higo on the resumption. Sharp right hand from Higo. Alves with a combination. Low kick from Higo. Another sprawl by Alves. Right hands from both men. Another low kick from Higo. Uppercut by Higo. Higo misses the right hand. Alves narrowly misses a quick left. Low kick by Higo. Uppercut by Alves. Higo goes for a takedown, and it’s another sprawl.

Another sprawl. Alves continues to defend every time Higo is shooting in. Head kick lands for Higo. Alves misses a powerful overhand. Left hands from both. Spinning backfist by Higo. Low kick from Alves. Alves sprawls to stop another takedown attempt. Quick right hand from Alves as Higo misses a big overhand. Higo misses another overhand. Head kick is blocked by Alves. Higo with a low kick. Another big kick to the body, but it’s blocked by Alves. Alves with a combination near the fence. Leg kick by Higo. Alves gets his own takedown! Alves blocks another kick. Alves catches a kick and punches through. Higo retreats. The fight is over. One more upset for the books tonight!

OFFICIAL RESULT

Marcirley Alves def. Leandro Higo via split decision (29-28x2, 28-29), advancing to the Semifinals in the Bantamweight Bracket.

Alves will face Jake Hadley in the Semifinals.