In the first half of the 2025 PFL World Tournament, numerous upsets characterized the matches, culminating in a thrilling main event where late replacement Marcirley Alves defeated Leandro Higo by split decision. Alves knocked Higo down in the first round and maintained control despite injuring his right leg. Although Higo attempted a comeback, he struggled to implement takedown strategies, allowing Alves to secure judges' scores of 29-28, marking a surprising victory in the highly competitive tournament.
Partway through the first round, the wide-swinging Alves knocked Higo clean off his feet with a huge left hand, and he climbed into top position and controlled the remainder of the opening frame.
Even if he held his own on the feet, he could not buy a takedown to take the fight into his world.
Carrying on with the evening's theme of upsets, two judges awarded Alves scores of 29-28, overtaking Higo's lone 29-28 in his favor to take the nod by split decision.
Higo stormed back for part of the second stanza, but he appeared to be a step behind the younger man.
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