UFC Vet, 2022 Season Game-Changers Pegged To Advance To PFL Finals

Friday, August 5 marks the start of the postseason phase, with PFL Playoffs 1 featuring the final four matchups in the league's lightweight and light heavyweight divisions.

If there's anything that the PFL's tournament-style format has taught fans and pundits alike, it's that anything can happen and anyone can move on to the next round.

The same can be said for the playoffs, which reinforce the league's "Win or Go Home" mantra.

This year's lightweight and light heavyweight semifinalists are made up of a mixed bag of former champions, established veterans, and up-and-coming stars, all with an equal opportunity to earn a spot in the 2022 PFL world championship and fight for the title and a million-dollar grand prize.

As such, it's hard to tell who'll come out with their hands raised in triumph after Friday night.

READ: Kayla Harrison, Anthony Pettis Banner 2022 PFL Playoff Brackets

Here are the breakdown and predictions of the marquee encounters on the card.

Anthony Pettis vs. Stevie Ray

Winner: Anthony Pettis

Anthony Pettis may have lost his first meeting with Stevie Ray, but he admitted that he came into the bout with a self-preservation mindset knowing that he had already clinched a playoff berth.

In this high-stakes rematch, "Showtime" promised to go all-out and deliver a knockout finish.

Knowing Pettis' pedigree, experience, and talent, it's hard to envision anything other than a win for the former UFC lightweight champion.

READ: Anthony Pettis Seeks Revenge In Postseason Debut

Omari Akhmedov vs. Josh Silveria

Winner: Omari Akhmedov

Omari Akhmedov has been nothing short of dominant this season, with two impressive stoppage wins during the elimination round.

Surely, Silveria is a talented up-and-comer with a ton of potential, but Akhmedov has the tools to derail Silveria's momentum and move on to the world championships.

READ: Following Historic 2022 Regular Season, PFL Gears Up For Playoffs

Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Alexander Martinez

Winner: Olivier Aubin-Mercier

UFC veteran Olivier Aubin-Mercier has been undefeated since joining PFL, and during this season's elimination round, he was able to dispatch the division's last two titleholders in Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte.

With momentum on his side, 'The Canadian Gangster' should be the safe bet for this semis matchup.

Rob Wilkinson vs. Delan Monte

Winner: Rob Wilkinson

Rob Wilkinson's last two outings have resulted in knockout victories, which was more than enough to earn him the top seed in the light heavyweight brackets.

He hasn't lost a combat sports bout since 2018, and all signs point to him extending that streak against Delan Monte on Friday night.