Australia’s very own Chelsea Hackett had an incredible debut in the Professional Fighters League, securing a victory over Ky Bennett by submission in the second round. Competing in the PFL Playoffs, Hackett had the opportunity to earn a contract for the 2024 season, and she didn’t disappoint.
Despite initially claiming she would adopt a “stand and bang” strategy for the fight, Hackett surprised everyone when she opted for a completely different approach. She expertly utilized her wrestling skills, taking Bennett down to the ground and maintaining control throughout the first round.
As the second round commenced, both fighters exchanged blows before Hackett landed a powerful punch, causing Bennett to stumble backward. Although she had successfully rocked her opponent, Hackett made a strategic decision to continue wrestling and eventually secured a rear naked chokehold, leading Bennett to tap out and granting Hackett the victory via submission.
Following her impressive win, the Melbourne-born, Gold Coast-raised fighter couldn’t hide her joy. Hackett credited her prolonged hiatus from major MMA appearances on Dana White’s Contender Series due to various reasons such as COVID, pull-outs, and injuries, for providing her with an opportunity to enhance her skills. She diligently worked on her weaknesses, dedicating countless hours to improving her wrestling and jiu-jitsu, and expressed her satisfaction in making a strong statement with her performance.
In good spirits, Hackett jokingly expressed her readiness to participate in the next PFL Playoffs event in New York in just two weeks, scheduled for August 19. She humorously mentioned her three-year break and eagerly stated her willingness to fight in New York, emphasizing her desire to be back in action.
This victory brings Hackett one step closer to securing a full-time PFL contract and the chance to compete in the regular season in 2024. The ultimate prize at stake is an impressive $1.5 million.
Fans can look forward to the upcoming PFL Playoffs on August 19, featuring heavyweights and women’s featherweights. The final Playoffs event of the year will take place on August 24, headlined by welterweights and lightweights. The PFL regular season will resume on April 2, showcasing featherweights and light heavyweights.
To stay up-to-date with the latest breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter for a daily dose of the best updates.
Denial of responsibility! SamacharCentrl is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
