A four-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion, Sadibou Sy has been one to produce highlights in the PFL SmartCage. In 2022, Sy went through Nikolay Aleksakhin, Rory MacDonald, Carlos Leal, and Dilano Taylor to capture the PFL welterweight championship. He looked for similar success in 2023 and came close with wins over Jarrah Al-Silawi, Shane Mitchell, and Leal. Sy, however, lost to Magomed Magomedkerimov in the 2023 title fight. Unfortunately for Sy, a finger injury in the first round of his fight with Joshua Silveira in April spoiled his light heavyweight debut.

 

Andrew Sanchez was originally supposed to fight in an alternate bout, but Tom Breese’s unavailability presented a huge last-minute opportunity for him. Sanchez was highly successful in wrestling, going on to be named an NAIA All-American and named the 2011 NAIA Wrestler of the Year. Sanchez went on to win the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championships in 2015 and captured regional gold at middleweight. Sanchez competed in the 2023 PFL season, defeating Taylor Johnson via split decision in his sole bout.

 

Both of these men will be eliminated from PFL postseason contention unless one of them can hit a first-round finish. Can it be done?

 

 

Round 1

 

Sy with low kicks to start things off. Speedy kick from Sy. Sanchez tries to press forward, but Sy speedy with his avoidance. A couple of side kicks from Sy. Round kick to the body by Sy. Sanchez with a combination and a front kick. Sy lands a couple of more kicks. Sanchez with a left hand. Low kick from Sanchez. Low kick from Sy. High kick partially lands for Sy. Round kick to the body for Sy. Sanchez comes forward and lands a left hand. Low kick from Sy. Sanchez misses the one-two, but he presses Sy against the fence. The two trading knees while in close.

 

 

Sy lands a few knees to the body in a row from the clinch. Sanchez with a right hand. Sanchez with a couple of stomps. More trading of knees as they battle along the fence. Another knee by Sanchez. Sanchez lands a couple of right hands to the body in the clinch. Sanchez landing to the body with the left hand. A couple of solid knees from Sy. Spinning back kick by Sy, but Sanchez blocks it!

 

 

Round 2

 

Low kick by Sy. Sanchez is trying to be the aggressor here. Sy with a couple of more low kicks. Left kick to the body. Sanchez misses with the left hand. Round kick to the body by Sy. Front kick by Sy. High kick by Sy is blocked. Front kick by Sy. Body kick by Sy. Sanchez misses the spinning backfist. Sanchez continuing to press forward. Wheel kick attempt by Sy is blocked by Sanchez.

 

Sanchez looks for a takedown, but Sy sprawls. Sy’s back pressed against the fence now. Sanchez trying to land a couple of punches to the body. A pair of shoulder strikes from Sanchez. The referee calls for a breakdown and a return to the center with about 50 seconds left in the round. Overhand right lands for Sanchez. Front kick by Sy. Another front kick by Sy. Sanchez misses a spinning backfist attempt and jumping knee attempt.

 

 

Round 3

 

Round kick to the body by Sanchez. Kick to the body by Sy. Another kick to the body. Sanchez pushes forward, going chest-to-chest against the fence. Sanchez with a flurry. A couple of more kicks from Sy. Another pair of kicks from Sy to the body. Sy lands a couple of right hands. Low kick from Sy. One-two from Sanchez. High kick attempt from Sanchez, followed by a takedown attempt from Sanchez, pressing Sy against the fence.

 

 

Another pair of low front kicks from Sy as the action has slowed down a bit here. Sanchez misses a left hand, and Sy caught him with a short counterpunch. Sanchez is hurt. Sy continues to land, but not at a pace that he was able to deliver before. A strong right hand completely wobbles Sanchez! The referee has seen enough!

 

 

He may not make the playoffs, but Sy can at least show his finishing ability is still there now up at 205!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Sadibou Sy defeated Andrew Sanchez by 3rd Round TKO (4:02) in the Light Heavyweight Division.

 

  • Both Fighters are eliminated from playoff contention