Antonio Carlos Jr. ‘Not 100% Surprised’ to See Sullivan Cauley in PFL Light Heavyweight Final

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Antonio Carlos Jr. could not be in a better place mentally.

The battle-tested Brazilian will set out in search of his second Professional Fighters League championship in five years when he meets Sullivan Cauley in the PFL 2025 World Tournament 10 light heavyweight final on Thursday at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Carlos Jr. took decisions from Karl Moore and Simeon Powell to advance in the draw.

“I think it was very good, especially for getting back on rhythm,” he told Sherdog.com. “I came back against two very tough guys. They were very difficult fights. I was very happy with the positive results. After I managed to impose my game over Simeon, it left me very confident. I’m very happy to be back on rhythm and to be healthy, especially after a difficult period of injuries and surgeries. To face and beat those guys was very special for me.”

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament Finals LIVE Thursday, Aug. 21 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+

Cauley figures to be another difficult test. He wrestled collegiately at Arizona State University and seems to have hit his stride as a mixed martial artist. Cauley, 29, put away Alex Polizzi with first-round elbows and punches in the tournament quarterfinals on May 1, then laid claim to a three-round unanimous decision over former Bellator MMA champion Phil Davis a little less than two months later.

“He has been demonstrating how good a fighter he is,” Carlos Jr. said. “All of his wins, except for the one over Davis, were in the first round by knockout or submission. Despite Davis coming in as a big favorite, I had my eye on Sullivan because I knew he had great qualities as a fighter. I saw Davis as a favorite, too, although I was not 100% surprised when Sullivan won. I see that he has many strong points. I watched them fight, right outside the cage. I think the two of us will have a great fight, too.”

Carlos Jr. continues to operate out of the American Top Team camp in Coconut Creek, Florida, where he sharpens his skills under a world-class coaching staff that features Marcus “Conan” Silveira, Muhammed Lawal, Steve Mocco, Mike Thomas Brown, Marcos da Matta and Gabriel de Oliveira. “I’ve had a lot of help,” he said. The facility sits just 20 miles north of where the bout with Cauley takes place, giving Carlos Jr. a homefield advantage of sorts.

“Yes, it makes a lot of difference,” he said. “I have a lot of friends, family and fans who are coming here to watch me. I have my training partners who are here with me. Many of them will be there, cheering and sending me energy. This venue where we will fight is the same as when I won the belt in 2021.”

The 35-year-old Carlos Jr. would like nothing more than to send Cauley away disappointed by beating him in decisive fashion.

“I always hope for a submission win,” he said, “but the main thing is to mix the martial arts well so I can find the best path to victory.”