2021 PFL 3 video: Renan Ferreira upsets Fabricio Werdum after appearing to tap

Renan Ferreira on Thursday became the latest underdog to take out a highly touted PFL free agent signing. But there may be some controversy looming.

Replays showed Ferreira may have given two quick taps while in a Fabricio Werdum triangle choke – but they weren’t seen by referee Keith Peterson. When Werdum loosened the choke, Ferreira got back to work – and got an eventual TKO finish.

Ferreira (7-2) officially has a first-round knockout win over former UFC heavyweight champion Werdum (24-10-1). The win came at the 2:32 mark of the first round and gave Ferreira a crucial 6 points in the 2021 PFL heavyweight season.

Fabricio Werdum checks in with Sean O'Connell following the #2021PFL3 controversial no-call on the tap! pic.twitter.com/YOaLGAykYN

— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021

Just 12 seconds into the fight, Werdum got the fight to the canvas and into his wheelhouse. Ferreira, also a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, tried to work his way back to his feet. But Werdum kept the pressure on and tried to work his way to mount.

That gave Ferreira an opportunity to roll out of trouble and Werdum was on his back. But he quickly found himself in a triangle choke. That’s when he appeared to have tapped, but the fight wasn’t stopped. Then he had to deal with a brief armbar attempt.

Ferreira managed to wriggle out, though, and on top he dropped some big punches on Werdum to stun him. And when Werdum couldn’t work his way out from underneath, Ferreira dropped hammerfists on him until he got the finish.

“I think everyone saw the fight. He tapped,” Werdum said in his post-fight interview. “I have to respect my opponent. … I stopped because he tapped. I’ve fought for 23 years. When he taps with an open hand, I have to stop. In my mind, it was over because I felt him tap my shoulder.”

A report from PFL broadcast partner ESPN.com late Thursday said Werdum’s team will file an appeal of the result.

Fabricio Werdum has filed an appeal of tonight’s #pflmma result with the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz. PFL will send the NJSACB the footage where it appeared Renan Ferreira tapped for review.

— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) May 7, 2021

Renan Ferreira unloads and gets the 1st round finish over Werdum!!#2021PFL3 pic.twitter.com/Udzl0nTtTj

— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2021