Former Hexagone light heavyweight champion Bafode Gassama, unbeaten at 4-0, debuts against Coby Bradford at PFL Lyon on Dec. 19 at LDLC Arena, the PFL confirmed.
From 3 reports by 3 outletsLatest PFL announces Gassama vs. Bradford at PFL Lyon on Dec. 19 3 outlets
What we know
- Gassama vs. Bradford is a light heavyweight bout set for Saturday, Dec. 19, at LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, France, and is Gassama's PFL debut.
Reported, not confirmed
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Gassama is a former Hexagone MMA light heavyweight champion; he won the title by unanimous decision over Lajos Papp at Hexagone MMA 43 on April 11.
MiddleEasy
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Bradford's PFL profile lists him at 6-4 overall and 1-0 in the PFL, with his last fight a second-round submission loss or win result on July 26 ending at 1:57.
MiddleEasy
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PFL Lyon is headlined by Taylor Lapilus vs. Mitch McKee for the inaugural PFL bantamweight world championship.
MiddleEasy
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PFL Lyon is the promotion's final event before shows move under the Most Valuable Promotions name on Jan. 1, 2027.
MiddleEasy
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RMC Sport is the French broadcaster for PFL Lyon and the ESPN app the U.S. outlet; the card's slot for Gassama-Bradford is not announced.
MiddleEasy
An unbeaten French champion gets his first PFL fight at home. Bafode Gassama, the former Hexagone MMA light heavyweight titleholder, will face Coby Bradford at PFL Lyon on Saturday, Dec. 19, at LDLC Arena, and the matchup puts a newcomer against a man who already knows the promotion.
RMC Sport Combat broke the signing on Oct. 23, and the PFL confirmed the booking the next day as a light heavyweight bout added to the Lyon card. MiddleEasy reports the promotion's artwork lists the division at 205 pounds.
Gassama, 32, is listed by Hexagone at 4-0, with three knockout or TKO wins and one decision. He won the title by unanimous decision over Lajos Papp at Hexagone MMA 43 in Paris on April 11, which was his first five-round fight. His earlier wins came against Stéphane Coignon, Valik Potyrlyu and Moussa Ndiaye. He is also an amateur world championship runner-up and is based in the Paris region.
Bradford, an American, is listed on his PFL profile at 6-4 overall and 1-0 in the promotion. His last PFL fight ended by submission at 1:57 of the second round on July 26. That experience inside the organization is the main edge he holds on paper over Gassama, who has never fought in a PFL cage.
The bout sits below a bantamweight title fight: Taylor Lapilus and Mitch McKee headline for the inaugural PFL bantamweight world championship. Lyon is also the last PFL event before shows move under the Most Valuable Promotions name on Jan. 1, 2027. Where Gassama-Bradford lands on the card, early or main, has not been announced.
RMC Sport Combat broke the signing on Oct. 23, and the PFL confirmed the booking the next day as a light heavyweight bout added to the Lyon card. MiddleEasy reports the promotion's artwork lists the division at 205 pounds.
Gassama, 32, is listed by Hexagone at 4-0, with three knockout or TKO wins and one decision. He won the title by unanimous decision over Lajos Papp at Hexagone MMA 43 in Paris on April 11, which was his first five-round fight. His earlier wins came against Stéphane Coignon, Valik Potyrlyu and Moussa Ndiaye. He is also an amateur world championship runner-up and is based in the Paris region.
Bradford, an American, is listed on his PFL profile at 6-4 overall and 1-0 in the promotion. His last PFL fight ended by submission at 1:57 of the second round on July 26. That experience inside the organization is the main edge he holds on paper over Gassama, who has never fought in a PFL cage.
The bout sits below a bantamweight title fight: Taylor Lapilus and Mitch McKee headline for the inaugural PFL bantamweight world championship. Lyon is also the last PFL event before shows move under the Most Valuable Promotions name on Jan. 1, 2027. Where Gassama-Bradford lands on the card, early or main, has not been announced.
- Summary
- Former Hexagone light heavyweight champion Bafode Gassama, unbeaten at 4-0, debuts against Coby Bradford at PFL Lyon on Dec. 19 at LDLC Arena, the PFL confirmed.
- Key points (one per line)
- Bafode Gassama signs with the PFL and faces Coby Bradford in a light heavyweight bout at PFL Lyon on Dec. 19.
Gassama is a 32-year-old unbeaten former Hexagone champion; Bradford is 6-4 with one PFL win.
Lyon is headlined by Taylor Lapilus vs. Mitch McKee for the inaugural bantamweight title.
- Official source URL
- https://x.com/PFLMMA/status/2114128315850354926
- Official source name
- PFL
- Also reported by (Name | URL per line)
- X: @RMCSportCombat | https://x.com/RMCSportCombat/status/2113616442046513518
MiddleEasy | https://middleeasy.com/mma-news/bafode-gassama-coby-bradford-pfl-lyon-debut/
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Sources
- PFL Official
- X: @RMCSportCombat
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