PFL 2025 World Tournament Dark Horse: Alfie Davis

The Professional Fighters League will see the final pieces to its lightweight championship puzzle fall into place with the 155-pound semifinals at PFL 2025 World Tournament 6 on Friday at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas. With the bracket down to just four fighters, the lightweight division has some of the most notable names in the promotion, even as one of them is still being overlooked as a championship contender in the tournament.

Coming off a first-round technical knockout of former PFL title challenger Clay Collard, England’s Alfie Davis has proven himself time and time again but still qualifies as a dark horse in the tournament. After picking up the victory over Collard, Davis will now face another former PFL title challenger in 2024 runner-up Brent Primus, as they collide in a true battle of grizzled and tested veterans.

Known for his unique and effective striking ability, Davis is a dangerous fighter in every aspect. No matter where the fight goes, Davis is a threat. He has six wins by knockout or technical knockout, three by submission and nine by decision. Davis has never been stopped via strikes in his career.

Entering the semifinals against Primus, it will be the classic striker-versus-grappler matchup, so Davis will want to do all he can to keep the fight standing if he wants his best opportunity to win. Primus and Davis have more than respectable histories in Bellator MMA. Primus was once champion, and Davis was never an easy out for any fighter. Davis went 8-1-1 in his previous promotion and has won six of his last nine fights overall.

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the Semifinals of the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, June 20 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

The main event will see former Ultimate Fighting Championship title challenger Kevin Lee take on 2024 PFL champion Gadzhi Rabadanov in the other lightweight semifinal, and while the winner of that matchup could be considered the favorite to win the tournament, a victory over Primus would certainly boost Davis’ stock.

Not one to be a pushover or a mid-level fighter in his division, Davis has long waited for his big career opportunity at this level, and he now finds himself one victory away from vying for a tournament championship. Getting past Primus represents the next major step toward achieving that goal. Every opponent standing in Davis’ way is likely going to be the betting favorite, meaning he will carry the dark horse label no matter who he faces.