Rayan Balbali does the damage, earns the split judges’ nod in Lyon

Rayan Balbali is a French grappling specialist who started his amateur MMA run in 2022, going 6-3. He made his professional MMA debut this past January, scoring a decision over Melik Cokac. Now, he makes his PFL debut on a big stage.

Levi Batchelor is an undefeated prospect with a perfect 3-0 pro record so far. The Shore MMA product has scored finishes in all three fights, including two in the first round. Batchelor made his PFL debut this past July, scoring a third-round submission of Fahdi Khaled.

Which of these two will come out on top in this bantamweight showcase that kicks off the action in Lyon?

Round 1

Low kicks from both men. Both men are feinting. Low kick from Batchelor. And another. Right hand from Batchelor. Both men land kicks to the legs. Another one from Batchelor. Leg kick from Balbali, but Batchelor answers with another right hand. Low kick from Batchelor, and Balbali responds in kind. Front kick from Babali. Strong right hand by Batchelor. Another calf kick by Batchelor. The two both land punches. Low kick by Batchelor, and a right hand from Balbali. Counter right by Balbali.

Round kick to the body by Balbali. Low kick from Balbali. Low kick by Batchelor. Jab by Balbali, followed by a hook. Combination by Batchelor. Balbali pressures. Left hand by Balbali. Batchelor shoots in, and he manages to lift and score the takedown on Balbali. The pair now against the fence. Batchelor on the legs, and Balbali sits himself up. Batchelor gets his legs around the calves of Balbali, but Balbali gets an arm around, looking for a guillotine! A couple of elbows from Balbali to the body. Balbali tries to use the hold to work his way back up. Batchelor finishes the round on top, but not before Balbali lands a few elbows to the thigh.

Round 2

Low kick by Batchelor misses, as does a Balbali front kick. Body kick from Balbali barely misses. Spinning back elbow just misses for Batchelor! Front kick by Balbali goes up the center. Batchelor misses a right hand. Batchelor level changes and scores another takedown. Balbali is seated against the fence again. Batchelor tries to control the wrist. Batchelor trying to force Balbali off the fence. Balbali builds himself back up to his feet. Batchelor is trying for a throw, but Balbali defends it well. Right hand to the body by Batchelor. Balbali uses another trip attempt to escape, and he avoids a spinning elbow from Batchelor.

Balbali misses his own spinning attack. Batchelor lands a counterstrike. Jab by Balbali, and Batchelor responds. Batchelor with another level change and another takedown. Balbali brings himself to the fence again. Balbali is back to his feet quickly. Right hands by Balbali, but Batchelor has some wrist control. Throw by Batchelor, but Balbali nearly gets a guillotine on! Balbali back to his feet, but Batchelor with another takedown. Another guillotine attempt, and Batchelor has to scramble up and out. Spinning heel kick lands on the guard of Batchelor! Right hand by Batchelor. Front kick upstairs by Balbali. Check hook by Balbali as he pressures Batchelor. Low kick by Batchelor.

Action starting to heat up!

Rayan Balbali with a spinning wheel kick as the action continues in Round 2 in the first fight of the night!#PFLLyon | LDLC Arena, Lyon | 📺LIVE NOW on the ESPN app pic.twitter.com/omdk1eTbJm

— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 13, 2025

Round 3

Batchelor on the outside, trying to be strategic. Combination by Batchelor but he misses a spinning attack. Body kick by Balbali. Batchelor with another takedown, but Balbali easily scoots himself over to the fence. The two trade control with their legs, with Balbali still with an arm around the neck of Batchelor. Balbali works his way back to his feet. Batchelor goes for a leg sweep, but Balbali keeps himself up. And again the same result.

The two jockey for position in a clinch battle against the fence. Another trip attempt by Batchelor goes nowhere. Batchelor with a couple of foot stomps. Batchelor trying for another takedown. He’s deep on it but struggling. Balbali gets off the fence with just over a minute left. Batchelor with a one-two as both men swing. Batchelor with another takedown attempt, and we get another body lock against the fence. Batchelor takes out the leg and scores the takedown. Balbali gets back to his feet, and the two throw a couple of punches each before the final horn.

OFFICIAL RESULT

Rayan “Splinter” Balbali defeats Levi Batchelor by split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29).