Marcirley Alves conquered adversity to become a PFL champion. | PFL MMA
In a period of four months, Marcirley Alves went from a virtually unknown to a World Professional Fighters League champion with a prize of $ 500,000.
It all started when his opponent in the alternative fight of the PFL missed the weight, and the opponent of Leandro Higo, Johnny Campbell, suffered an injury and was removed from the event for a few days.
“They were two unfortunate events that led me directly to the tournament. I was in the right place at the right time and grabbed the chance. I had no strategy to fight against Higo, but I was very trained,” Alves told Sherdog.com.
Alves was able to defend the Takedowns of his countryman and to get the better violation to continue to the semi -final against Englishman Jake Hadley, who had submitted Matos Mattos in his first fight.
Fighters only get one shot! View the PFL World Tournament Finals Live Thursday, August 21 at 9 p.m. at ESPN and ESPN+
“This time I left no doubt about my victory and I assured my place in the final,” Alves said about his three-round verdict about Hadley.
Marcirley revealed to Sherdog that he tore the ligaments in his left knee during the fight with Higo and 20 days before the final against Justin Wetzel, the ligaments tore in his other knee.
“My training camp for the final was in physiotherapy. I knew that this final would be the most difficult of the three fights, but thank goodness everything went well and I won through a unanimous decision,” Alves, said that he will soon have an operation on both knees and will not return to the cage until 2026.
PFL -win helped Alves to realize the dream
Born on the Amazone countryside, in a small town of 35,000 called Eldorado Dos Carajás, in the state of Pará, Alves now lives in Bauru, São Paulo. After realizing his first dream by winning the PFL -Riem, Marcirley realized his second as soon as he came home and bought an Evoque SUV 2016. The next step will be to pay the apartment where he lives in Bauru, São Paulo, where Chute Boxe João Emilio has headquarters and has an operation on both knees.
Unlike most athletes who win the PFL belt, Alves does not yet think about the UFC.
“My plan is to defend my title in superfights, but if the PFL wants me to enter the 2026 tournament, I will be available,” he said.
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