English light heavyweight Luke Trainer moved to 10-1 at PFL Dubai with a career best victory and performance.
‘The Gent’ faced off against MMA veteran Rob Wilkinson, his toughest and most experienced opponent to date on his PFL debut. Wilkinson had been in with the likes of Israel Adesanya when competing in the UFC and since joining PFL he won the PFL light heavyweight tournament in his first year with the organisation in 2022.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 25: Rob Wilkinson celebrates after defeating Omari Akhmedov during the 2022 PFL Championships at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden on November 25, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
After no competition over the best part of 18 months Luke Trainer was expected to have his work cut out against the vastly experienced Australian. However, it was not to be as Trainer produced a top display.
Luke Trainer Via 1st Round Submission
After a tentative start the Englishman got a hold of Wilkinson’s neck in a slick guillotine submission and got the tap in the very first round. Always hunting a finish now with 10 professional victories nine of those have come via inside the distance
Speaking with Dan Hardy after the bout Trainer staked his claim at a title shot next, “I want the title shot next, Mr Mike Hogan sorry it was a slow start brother I been a year out a little bit rusty. Trust me the next one I’m gonna be fresh, get me in the summer get me on the Madrid card if you want. Let’s flipping go man I want that belt. Or give me someone in the top 3 to smash and then give me the belt man.”
Who do you want to see Luke Trainer face next? and how close do you believe he is to a title shot in the PFL Light heavyweight division?