Tyler Diamond is a familiar face to PFL fans, having competed during the 2021 and 2023 PFL regular seasons. Diamond, who began his journey into MMA through wrestling at 12 years old before starting MMA training four years later, has won 12 of 15 in his career, including seven finishes. In 2021, Diamond defeated Jo Sungbin before dropping a decision in a closely contested bout with Brendan Loughnane. The Team Alpha Male product most recently fought in June, being submitted by Movlid Khaybulaev.

 

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, Otto Rodrigues honed his skills with his association with the Pitbull Brothers Gym to help piece together his 13-fight win streak. Rodrigues, who has won featherweight gold on the regional scene, has seven victories via submission. He most recently fought at Bellator 299, submitting Brian Moore.

 

With the opportunity to be an alternate in the featherweight season on the line, who will take advantage and score the victory?

 

 

Round 1

 

Diamond opens with a left jab. And another. Punch to the body by Diamond. Diamond continues to work the left jab before a combination. Rodrigues lands a powerful right. Rodrigues shoots in looking for a takedown, but Diamond stops it with a sprawl. Diamond brings Rodrigues over to the fence. Rodrigues reverses the position. The two end their clinch battle. Diamond attacks the body with a combination before trying a takedown attempt of his own. Diamond and Rodrigues battling against the fence.

 

The referee breaks the action briefly. Low kick by Diamond. Right hand by Diamond. Both men look for overhands in their combination, but Diamond ultimately presses Rodrigues against the fence briefly. Rodrigues misses a jab and hook. Diamond with a combination and he lands an overhand right. Diamond catches Rodrigues off balance and knocks him down with a right hand! Diamond drops down and gets an underhook. Diamond searches for Rodrigues’s back. Diamond relents and Rodrigues scrambles, returning the fight to the feet and pressing Diamond against the fence. Diamond tries for the takedown again and gets it before the end of the round.

 

 

 

Round 2

 

Diamond works the jab again. Rodrigues grabs a hold of Diamond and looks for a guillotine. Diamond breaks out of the grasp. High kick for Diamond. Right hand by Diamond, followed by a left. Diamond pressuring Rodrigues, and he appears to be hurt! Diamond continues his pressure as Rodrigues goes down and returns to the feet. Diamond continues to press, with Rodrigues against the SmartCage. Rodrigues tries for a double-leg takedown, but Diamond counters with a sprawl. Rodrigues tries to grab Diamond’s legs to prevent him going into mount. The fight returns to the feet with a clinch battle against the fence. Diamond reverses the position and starts to land again. Rodrigues busted open around one of his eyes.

 

 

The fight goes back to the ground, with Rodrigues trying for the choke again. It may look like Diamond might go for the Von Flue choke. Diamond battling in the half-guard from Rodrigues. Diamond throws some right hands, but it’s nothing doing big damage to Rodrigues. The round ends with Diamond on top, still landing.

 

 

Round 3

 

After some checking from the doctors, round three is allowed to go ahead! Body kick by Diamond. A kick from Rodrigues. One-two from Diamond. A left hand rocks Rodrigues. Diamond tries to chase Rodrigues but gets hit with a left. Right hand from Diamond. Diamond looking to land the left hook. Rodrigues now the one pressing. Rodrigues presses Diamond against the fence in a takedown attempt. After about a minute, the fight returns to the center, where Diamond continues to work his jab.

 

 

Diamond lands a couple of overhand rights. Diamond continues to pressure with his striking. Rodrigues drops the two of them as he looks for a guillotine choke. Rodrigues loses the submission with about 90 seconds left in the fight. Diamond continues to work ground control, not stopping the pressure. Rodrigues brings the fight back to the feet for the closing seconds. Diamond lands a couple of more jabs before the final bell.

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

 

Tyler Diamond defeats Otto Rodrigues by Unanimous Decision (30-26 x2, 30-27) in a featherweight alternate bout