Global MMA

Patrick Habirora Score First-Round KO in Historic PFL Europe Brussels Main Event

By LockerRoom Team July 8, 2025

Patrick “The Belgian Bomber” Habirora made history at the ING Arena, delivering a first-round TKO victory over Danny “Hot Chocolate” Roberts in the main event of PFL Europe Brussels — Belgium’s first major MMA event. The undefeated Habirora (7-0) electrified the home crowd by finishing Roberts (18-9) with a head kick followed by hammer fists at 4:32 of Round 1.

In the co-main event, Taylor “Double Impact” Lapilus (22-4) began his PFL career with a dominant unanimous decision victory over Ali Taleb (12-2). The French bantamweight controlled the action throughout the three rounds, earning three 30-27 scorecards. Lapilus has now won nine of his last ten bouts.

The event marked the conclusion of the opening round of the 2025 PFL Europe Bantamweight Tournament, with four fighters advancing to the Semifinals. Mahio Campanella will face Gustavo Oliveira, while Dean Garnett will take on Jan Cieplowski at PFL Europe Nantes on Sept. 26.

Belgium was also well represented on the card, with Gaetano "El Tigre" Pirrello (17-7-1) submitting fellow countryman Salvatore Liga (5-1) via ninja choke at 3:27 of Round 1 in a Featherweight Showcase bout.

In a dominant debut, Boris “The Modern Gladiator” Mbarga Atangana (6-0) made quick work of Bruno “Predator” Santos (3-4), scoring a TKO in just 56 seconds.

Chequina Noso Pedro (10-4) silenced the local crowd with a unanimous decision victory over fan-favorite Khamzat “Borz” Abaev (5-1), winning with scores of 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.

Movsar Ibragimov (7-0) rebounded from a slow start to submit Gerardo Fanny (14-6) with a Von Flue choke at 1:42 of Round 2 in a Bantamweight Showcase bout.

In another dominant showing, Ibragim “The Mauler” Ibragimov (10-0) handed Mathys Duragrin (5-1) his first loss, using superior wrestling to earn a 30-27 unanimous decision.

Bantamweight Tournament Semifinalists Confirmed

England’s Dean Garnett (13-3-1) secured his spot in the Semifinals with a unanimous decision (29-28 across the board) over Finland’s Tuomas "The Tank Engine" Grönvall (12-9-1).

Mahio Campanella (8-1) of France edged Latvia’s Matiss Zaharovs (7-4) by unanimous decision (29-28 on all three cards) to punch his ticket to Nantes.

Poland’s Jan Cieplowski (9-0) stayed undefeated with a first-round TKO of France’s Julien Lopez (7-5-1), finishing the bout with punches at 3:43.

Portugal’s Gustavo "Heart" Oliveira (11-2) earned a highlight-reel finish with a spinning back elbow KO of France’s Anas Azizoun (5-2) at 3:25 of Round 1.

More Action from PFL Europe Brussels

Switzerland’s Catalin Safta (7-3) edged Belgium’s Nicolas Di Franco (10-5-1) via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28) in a Lightweight Showcase bout.

Poland’s Paulina Wisniewska (6-0) continued her unbeaten streak with a dominant performance over Brazil’s Jessica Cunha (9-5), winning via rear naked choke at 4:12 of Round 1.

France’s Adam Meskini (10-3) overwhelmed Italy’s Tiziano Ferranti (10-2) with a second-round TKO flurry, ending the bout at 4:56.

Wales’ Levi Batchelor (3-0) closed out his Bantamweight Showcase bout in style, submitting Tunisia’s Fahdi Khaled (2-1) with an ezekiel choke at 4:34 of the final round.

In the opening bout of the night, France’s Salvo Guidice (2-0) secured a third-round rear naked choke submission over Brice Belghazi (1-2) at the 2:14 mark.

PFL Europe Brussels Full Results

  • Welterweight Main Event: Patrick Habirora def. Danny Roberts — TKO, Round 1 (4:32)

  • Bantamweight Co-Main: Taylor Lapilus def. Ali Taleb — Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)

  • Featherweight Showcase: Gaetano Pirrello def. Salvatore Liga — Submission (ninja choke), Round 1 (3:27)

  • Light Heavyweight Showcase: Boris Mbarga Atangana def. Bruno Santos — TKO, Round 1 (0:56)

  • Welterweight Showcase: Chequina Noso Pedro def. Khamzat Abaev — Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)

  • Bantamweight Showcase: Movsar Ibragimov def. Gerardo Fanny — Submission (Von Flue), Round 2 (1:42)

  • Featherweight Showcase: Ibragim Ibragimov def. Mathys Duragrin — Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)

  • Bantamweight Tournament: Dean Garnett def. Tuomas Grönvall — Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

  • Bantamweight Tournament: Mahio Campanella def. Matiss Zaharovs — Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

  • Lightweight Showcase: Catalin Safta def. Nicolas Di Franco — Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)

  • Bantamweight Tournament: Gustavo Oliveira def. Anas Azizoun — KO, Round 1 (3:25)

  • Bantamweight Tournament: Jan Cieplowski def. Julien Lopez — TKO, Round 1 (3:43)

  • Women’s Flyweight Showcase: Paulina Wisniewska def. Jessica Cunha — Submission (RNC), Round 1 (4:12)

  • Featherweight Showcase: Adam Meskini def. Tiziano Ferranti — TKO, Round 2 (4:56)

  • Bantamweight Showcase: Levi Batchelor def. Fahdi Khaled — Submission (ezekiel choke), Round 3 (4:34)

  • Catchweight (163 lbs.) Showcase: Salvo Guidice def. Brice Belghazi — Submission (RNC), Round 3 (2:14)