Preview: PFL 2025 World Tournament 7: Semifinals

PFL Middleweight Semifinals

Dalton Rosta (10-1, 1-0 PFL) vs. Aaron Jeffery (16-5, 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+

They call Rosta “Hercules” for a reason. The American Top Team middleweight appears to have been engineered in a lab and possesses explosiveness in every technique. He’s known to ground-and-pound, but he showed an extra level to his game recently when he submitted Sadibou Sy with a brabo choke in the quarterfinals. At 10-1, Rosta is ready and eager to take the next step in his career and contend for a world title, but first, he will have to avenge his only defeat. Jeffery’s takedown defense was too good the first time he faced Rosta back in 2023. Rosta was an 8-0 undefeated prospect at the time and thought he could easily take down the Canadian, but Jeffery’s sprawls were too sharp. Jeffery did a great job at neutralizing Rosta’s momentum and would accumulate points by landing shots in the clinch. Rosta made the fight close and went back to the drawing board upset but not discouraged.

Since the first fight, Jeffery has won two of his last three, but Rosta appears to have more momentum. Jeffery capitalized on his inexperience and lack of patience. Rosta’s striking has become sharper since the loss, and that could lead to better setups for takedowns. Jeffery needs to stay busy and force Rosta to counter and contend with his offense. Rosta is a machine, but he still lacks refinement, and a veteran like Jeffery could use his experience to once again edge him out on the scorecards.


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