Lewis McGrillen has made quite the impact so far in his young MMA career, winning nine of 10 and showcasing brutal power in his striking. Already holding flyweight gold on the regional circuit, McGrillen scored knockouts of Salih Kulucan and Amrali Saidoshurov last year in PFL Europe before a loss to Weslley Maia. McGrillen rebounded with his first PFL Europe regular season win in June, defeating Matiss Zaharovs.

 

Dean Garrnett gets a major opportunity in this bout, making his PFL Europe debut with a short-notice chance to compete for a championship in his next fight. Garnett is already a former featherweight champion on the regional scene, coming into this bout with a 12-2-1 record, with eight finishes to his name. Garnett most recently fought in December, scoring a decision over Izzeddine Al Derbani.

 

Who will go on to face Alexander Luster for the 2024 PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship in Lyon, France?

 

 

Round 1

 

McGrillen comes forward early. Low kick from Garnett. Another low kick. Another one. The two feeling each other out in this first minute. Left hand misses for McGrillen. Inside leg kick makes McGrillen briefly lose his balance. Another low kick. Left hand from McGrillen. Low kick from Garnett again. Garnett throws a pair of right hands that barely connect. McGrillen misses a high kick. Left hand lands and drops Garnett! McGrillen scrambles on top, but Garnett sweeps and comes through, getting back up. Garnett is dropped again! Garnett tries to scramble and get to McGrillen’s back, but McGrillen swarms, troubling Garnett!

 

 

Garnett appears to have recovered, but his back is to the fence. The two flashing their left hands. Garnett lands a left and he drops McGrillen! McGrillen gets up, but Garnett keeps a hold of him! The two battle for position now against the fence. McGrillen with a strong left hand that rocks Garnett again! McGrillen firing off a flurry before another scramble on the feet. McGrillen pressing Garnett into the fence. Garnett distracted by pain bothering his eye. Left hand to the body. Garnett trips up McGrillen and locks up a guillotine! McGrillen is able to pop his head out! Another guillotine attempt by Garnett! McGrillen returns to the feet. What a round!

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Garnett tries for a flurry, but he misses. McGrillen lands another left hand that rocks Garnett. And again! Garnett looks to wrestle and stays in it! Garnett chasing a single-leg takedown but he’s still wobbly! The referee steps in and calls for time. Garnett’s shin may have been down when McGrillen landed a knee. Replay makes it close; Garnett may have still been falling when the knee landed. The doctor checks on Garnett, and it appears the fight is going to go on! McGrillen, however, will be deducted one point for an illegal strike.

 

 

Low kick by Garnett. Round kick by Garnett to the body. Left hand to the body by McGrillen. Low kick by Garnett again. A combination from Garnett, and the left hand drops McGrillen! Garnett goes for a guillotine, but McGrillen gets away. McGrillen drops Garnett with a counter left, and he scrambles. We have a leg lock attempt by Garnett! Is McGrillen in danger? He gets out of it! Garnett pursues the takedown again. The two swing away! McGrillen lands and Garnett goes down! Garnett is back up! This is insanity!

 

 

A low kick by Garnett. The two staying patient, looking for an opportunity. Garnett catches him with a check hook. McGrillen fires off a combination. McGrillen with a left hand. Left hand to the body by McGrillen. Left hand by Garnett. Left hand by McGrillen. Both landing here. McGrillen targeting the body with his punches. Left hand from Garnett. Garnett coming forward with feints. McGrillen with a strong body shot. Garnett temporarily off balance. McGrillen misses a left hand. Garnett with a front kick.

 

 

Round 3

 

The two get right back to trading, McGrillen attacking with the left. The two swinging away early in this final round! Strong right hand by Garnett. Left hand by McGrillen. Another left from McGrillen. McGrillen misses a left coming forward. Low kicks from Garnett. McGrillen presses Garnett against the fence. Garnett gets off the fence and pursues McGrillen with punches. McGrillen lands a counter left and Garnett faceplants! The fight is done!

 

 

What a war! And Lewis McGrillen moves on to the finals!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Lewis McGrillen def. Dean Garnett via third-round KO (punch, 1:45)