Antonio Carlos Junior superior to the PFL mild heavyweight semifinals with a call victory over Karl Moore in Might, however the truth that one decide scored in favor of his opponent raised his eyebrows.
Decide Marcel Varela gave Moore a 10-9 in rounds two and three for a 29-28 lead, whereas judges Jason Grenier and Troy Wincapaw disagreed along with his rating on the second spherical. “Shoeface” was comfortable to advance, however hopes for adjustments within the sport to keep away from what he known as a flawed resolution.
“I used to be sort of scared with the rating of one of many judges,” Junior stated. “Once they stated break up resolution I even laughed. I used to be like, ‘No means. Which battle did this decide watch?’ I used to be actually nervous about that.”
Junior felt he dominated the battle from begin to end, however actually “slowed down” within the third, resulting in what he thought of a good 29-28 name in his favor. Regardless of wanting again at his win as a “constructive end result” and total efficiency after nearly a 12 months away from the sport, the Brazilian hopes North American athletic commissions work higher on coaching judges.
Varela solely labored in two fights that went the gap in 2025, in keeping with record-keeping web site MMA Selections. Varela was extra lively between 2021 and 2023 with scores submitted in 58 selections, however has judged solely 4 occasions previously 18 months.
“In fact, you need to end fights, particularly in a event the place you’ll have a brief time frame in between fights, but it surely’s such a excessive stage,” Junior stated. “We’re speaking about high-level MMA, very skilled fighters, athletes which are nice each technically and tactically, you already know? Generally it’s exhausting [to finish], generally it’s a detailed battle. It’s necessary to have good judges, judges which are actually devoted to that, perhaps even ex-fighters, as a result of generally it seems like there’s people who do not know what they’re doing. I used to be sort of scared, I’ll be trustworthy with you.”
A PFL mild heavyweight event champion in 2021, Junior now faces Simeon Powell on Friday at PFL 7 in Chicago. The American Prime Group veteran ensures he’s prepared for quarter-hour of struggle, however anticipates a end.
“He’s extra of a striker, he has nice putting and lengthy attain, is aware of learn how to preserve the gap and transfer properly and use his legs,” Junior stated of Powell. “That makes him very harmful. [The plan is] make him stroll backwards. I’ve seen he tends to field extra and assault when he’s strolling ahead, so I gained’t give him a lot area and permit him to develop within the battle. He’s not that skilled however has file, so we’ve got to be good. I’m assured we’ll catch him with a submission.”
If victorious Friday, “Shoeface” advances to the $500,000 closing towards the winner of the PFL 7 co-main occasion bout between Phil Davis and Sullivan Cauley.
“He comes as the favourite, there’s no means round that,” Junior stated of Davis. “He was the Bellator champion, fought within the UFC. He’s 40 now, a bit older, however he’s nonetheless in nice form. He’s fought nice guys and was superior, and obtained a knockout [in his last fight against Rob Wilkinson]. I believe that logic says Phil Davis will win, however that is MMA. You by no means know what’s going to occur, however I believe Phil Davis is coming from the opposite aspect [of the bracket].”
