Preview: PFL Europe 2024 Finals

PFL Europe Bantamweight Final

Alexander Luster (9-1, 2-0 PFL) vs. Lewis McGrillen-Evans (9-1, 4-1 PFL)

After suffering his first loss last year, Lewis McGrillen-Evans enters the bantamweight final with something to prove. “The McGrizzler” has cruised back into the title contention from a decision win over Matias Zaharovs and a short-notice third-round knockout of Dean Garnett in the semifinals. Like many fighters to come out of Manchester Top Team, McGrillen-Evans is known for his dynamite striking and willingness to sit in the pocket and trade. At 24, he’s a young rising star on the English MMA scene, and another impressive win could catapult him onto the world stage.

Luster hails from Germany and has all the goods to make the young prospect’s night long. He’s lanky, dangerous on the ground and has solid power. Luster punched his ticket to the final off back-to-back first-round rear-naked choke finishes. Luster’s only career loss is a disputed split decision, and he has no intention of being used as a steppingstone in McGrillen-Evans’ rise through the bantamweight ranks. This is the most interesting matchup of the night. Both fighters are young, hungry, aggressive and Will Hunt for the finish. McGrillen-Evans is two inches shorter than the 5-foot-8 Luster and has never finished an opponent on the ground. While his boxing ability deserves the edge, Luster’s ability to threaten submissions could be the advantage that puts him over the top. This is likely to go to the scorecards, with Luster pulling away in a closely contested war.

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