Moore exits PFL tournament after Carlos Junior defeat

Ireland's Karl Moore is out of the PFL's light-heavyweight world tournament after a split decision defeat by Antonio Carlos Junior at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

Moore was out-grappled by Brazil's former champion Carlos Junior and despite a strong final round, was unable to convince the judges he had done enough to claim victory.

Two of the judges went 29-28 in favour of Carlos Junior with the third giving it to Moore by the same score.

Moore was fighting for the first time since defeat by American Corey Anderson for the Bellator light-heavyweight title last year.

Moore, who lives in Belfast, said he had moved into his gym in Dublin to prepare for the fight to save money on travelling between the two cities.

He was facing a former PFL champion in Carlos Junior and a slow start to the fight ended up proving costly.

Moore was taken down twice by Carlos Junior in the first round, who landed a number of ground shots before continuing to dominate the grappling in the second round.

Moore fought back in the third, with a clean right hand and takedown towards the end of the contest, but couldn't secure the finish he needed.

Carlos Junior will face Britain's Simeon Powell in the semi-finals after the 26-year-old put in an impressive performance to knock out Sweden's Karl Albrektsson in the second round.

After a quiet first round where Albrektsson controlled the majority of the action against the cage, Powell unleashed in the second.

The 26-year-old broke free from Albrektsson's grappling attempt and landed three elbows to knock down the Swede before the referee stopped the contest.

Carlos Junior and Powell will fight on 27 June at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

The knockout format of the PFL tournament is unlike previous years where the first round contributed to a division league table.

The eventual champions will receive £395,000 ($500,000) in prize money.

Other Britons in the semi-finals include Fabian Edwards, who stopped American Impa Kasanganay in the second round of their middleweight contest last month.

Edwards will face American Josh Silveira next, also on 27 June.

On the same card, fellow Briton Alfie Davis faces American Brent Primus in the lightweight semi-finals after he knocked out American Clay Collard in April.

In the bantamweight semi-finals, Briton Jake Hadley faces Brazil's Marcirley Alves on 20 June in Kansas.

Hadley reached the last four by submitting Brazil's Matheus Mattos in the third round of their contest in April.

20 June - Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, Kansas

27 June - Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Illinois