Alexander Shabliy ended a lengthy absence from competition by defeating Alfie Davis via unanimous decision in PFL. The victory marks a successful comeback for the Russian fighter.
Alexander Shabliy made a successful return to the cage on June 28, 2026, defeating Alfie Davis by unanimous decision in PFL competition, ending what had been a prolonged absence from professional mixed martial arts.
Shabliy, known as "Peresvet," enters the win column for the 25th time in his career, moving his record to 24-4-0. The 31-year-old Russian stands five-foot-nine with a 70-inch reach and has built his reputation as a controlled, methodical competitor. His output numbers are measured rather than volume-heavy, averaging 0.16 significant strikes landed per minute with a striking accuracy of 38.52 percent, suggesting a fighter who picks his spots carefully rather than throwing in bunches.
Davis, the British fighter nicknamed "The Axe Man," drops to 20-5-1 with the defeat. At 33 years old, he stands five-foot-eleven with a 71-inch reach and brought considerably more offensive striking output into the fight, averaging 0.6 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy of 56.6 percent — among the more efficient rates in the sport. Despite that edge in striking production, it was not enough to sway the judges.
Why it matters
- Shabliy's return to the win column after a lengthy layoff signals he remains a relevant force in PFL's lightweight landscape.
- Davis came in with superior striking accuracy but could not secure the decision, raising questions about his path forward at 20-5-1.
- The stylistic contrast between Shabliy's conservative, controlled approach and Davis's higher-volume attack made for a telling strategic matchup on the scorecards.
