#curtis millender

Rory MacDonald vs Curtis Millender | PFL 2, 2021

It was a hard 2021 for Rory MacDonald (22-8-1). After a successful debut in PFL vs Millender, he dropped back to back decisions to Gleison Tibau (a bad one iirc) and Ray Cooper III. He ended up missing PFL’s playoffs completely, which you really don’t want to do as one of the promotion’s marquee off-season signings.

GODDAMN! SWITCH KNEE! Right to the Face!

Millender had success right out the gate. Rocking and dropping Alves who struggled to find his range against the lengthy Millender. Millender celebrates a bit too early after Alves goes down and Alves manages to recover. Was pretty damn close to a 10-8 round. Alves battles back in the 2nd round, starts landing leg kicks more frequently and was finding success forcing Millender straight back. Millender was still landing in the interim, however, especially with the multiple jabs. Then Millender hits a knee up the middle that just floors Alves.

Really should’ve been done in the first round. 

The changing of the guard at 170 lbs has been fun to follow. Curtis was fighting comfortably at a distance and you could see that he had Alves figured out pretty quickly. Alves couldn't get into range to land his big looping power shots and every leg kick thrown was countered with a stinging jab. Millender landed two major uppercuts back to back, one of which faceplanted Alves, but somehow Thiago Alves showcased the heart to stick with it and survive. Second round felt more like a "When" and not an "If" which proved to be at the back end of the second round. Millender finished Alves with a step in knee as Alves was trying to close the distance and awesome ref job to protect Alves from himself.