LAS VEGAS – Will Fleury beat Krzysztof Jotko with a split decision Friday on the main card at 2023 PFL 1 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.
Take a look inside the fight with Fleury, who spoiled Jotko’s PFL arrival after nearly 10 years in the UFC.
Will Fleury vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Result: Will Fleury def. Krzysztof Jotko via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Updated records: Fleury (12-3), Jotko (24-7)
Key stat: Fleury couldn’t land any of his five takedown attempts, but he outstruck Jotko 88-36 overall in the fight.
Fleury on the fight's key moment
“I had a lot of scars before today, but I caught a few more. I’m disgusted with that performance, to be honest. There’s so much more in me. That fight should never have been that close. I’ve got to give respect to Krzysztof Jotko. He showed up, performed well – I expected him to back up a lot more. He came forward a good bit. He actually did a good job throwing feints and closed the distance, which is what I was trying to do with him. There were a lot of moments where I could have been a lot sharper and I felt it even during the fight and I knew I was making some bad decisions – and then I was kind of beating myself up during the fight about, like, ‘Why didn’t I do that just there?’ And that’s a sh*t mentality. I should have been like, ‘OK, move on – next situation.’ There’s a lot of sloppiness on my part for that fight.”
Fleury on making improvements
“I think tonight I did show to my (weight) class, I don’t think anybody should f*cking doubt that I should be here at this stage. To be honest, that is f*cking 40 percent of what I can do. I don’t think I showed any of the really good stuff I’ve been working in this camp in this fight, so I’m a little bit disgusted with myself. But hey, I got the win and I came out here on one of my sh*t days and got the win. So that shows what I’m all about.”
Fleury on what he wants next
“I have so much f*cking more in the tank. In eight weeks time, you’re going to see that. That’s the beautiful thing about this tournament format. Sh*t – 3 points, only, but f*ck it. It’s 3 points on the board. Get me in there with somebody else and watch me smash them. I’m so happy that there’s another one coming up soon, because I get to show what I really am about. Tonight, that was sh*t and I got the win. Everybody knows here: I’m f*cking here for this. I want this $1 million. If anybody questions my f*cking heart after that, f*ck you. You have no clue what you’re watching. I’m proud and I’m happy in a way, but I’m also disgusted with myself. ”
To hear more from Fleury, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 1.
