Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 7: Semifinals

PFL Light Heavyweight Semifinals

Phil Davis (25-7, 1-0 PFL) vs. Sullivan Cauley (7-1, 1-0 PFL)

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, June 27 at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

Most 40-year-olds would kill to be in Davis’ shape. After a 17-year career, “Mr. Wonderful” still lives up to the billing as a top-tier light heavyweight. The former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion has never been stopped and has only been beaten by the best of the best. Davis proved that he still has the goods when he crushed former PFL tournament winner Rob Wilkinson in two rounds. Despite his wrestling acumen, Davis is skilled at using his reach, frames and controls to be effective at striking. He’s loaded with experience and should be viewed as the favorite entering this semifinal matchup. Cauley may not have the experience that Davis carries, but the Mesa, Arizona, native knows how to finish a fight. In eight pro bouts, Cauley has never heard the final bell. One of those fights was a first-round submission loss, but Cauley has bounced back beautifully with a pair of first-round finishes. On paper, Davis’ experience looks like an overwhelming obstacle for Cauley to overcome, but the 29-year-old is in the prime of his career and willing to make things ugly to pull out this win. Everybody has power at 205 pounds, and Cauley is going to be swinging his fists with bad intentions.

Davis needs to take this fight to the mat as soon as possible. Standing tall with a powerful slugger early is dangerous, and the former Bellator champion shouldn’t risk getting clipped. Cauley wrestled at Arizona State, so he’s no slouch on the mat, but he will have problems with the Penn State legend. If Davis postures up on Cauley, he can open him up and finish him with his long, powerful elbows. While Cauley has a puncher’s chance, Davis still looks too sharp to be taken down or surprised on the feet and will take the first opportunity presented to put his man away.


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Edwards vs. Silveira
Davis vs. Cauley
Pettis vs. Stots
Rosta vs. Jeffery
Carlos Jr. vs. Powell
The Prelims