CHICAGO – He was not paralyzed, but for Goiti Yamauchihis victory in his PFL debut was everything he wanted.
Yamauchi, a longtime Bellator contender, made his PFL debut this Friday, defeating Neiman Gracie in a rematch in the season-opening welterweight bout at 2024 PFL3. Yamauchi (29-6) beat Gracie (12-5) by unanimous decision, gaining three points for the season.
Some may see the win as not the best case scenario, as a submission would have awarded Yamauchi more points, but it was perfect for Yamauchi.
“Wow, it felt really good to be back,” Yamauchi said in a post-fight interview. “This is a fight that I needed, the kind of victory that felt really good for me, and to be back in the Octagon and get this victory after this serious injury. I couldn’t have asked for a better result tonight and I’m very happy.”
This was Yamauchi’s first fight since suffering that knee injury in his TKO loss to Michael Page in March 2023. It was one of the most bizarre and worst injuries seen in MMA that year.
Looking to reach the 2024 PFL welterweight final for a chance to become champion and win the $1 million prize, Yamauchi’s main focus is to win but also stay injury free in the process. That’s why he’s very happy with the performance against Gracie.
“We need to adopt a new approach and a new strategy because what matters is being healthy until the end of the tournament,” explained Yamauchi. “Of course we wanted the six points, but it’s difficult to deal with this new thing in the PFL. Sometimes you have a tougher opponent or someone who is difficult to submit, like Neiman. Neiman is so hard to finish. No one but me finished him off. Neiman is a tough guy and it’s hard to take him down, but thank God I got the win.”
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie events hub to PFL 2024 Week 3.
