For the first time in their professional careers, brothers Daniele Scatizzi and Valentina Scatizzi will fight together on the same card.
Daniele (13-7), who joined PFL Glasgow, and her sister Valentina (3-2) are both undefeated against tough opponents and share the underdog label. Daniele is currently a +425 underdog against undefeated 2023 PFL European Lightweight Champion Jakub Kazuba (12-0), while Valentina (+550) faces undefeated Chanel Dyer (5-0). Compete against.
Daniele, a regular in Bellator MMA, came to the PFL ranks after an unsuccessful match against Dmitri Hrytsenko at Bellator 291 in 2023. Following the Bellator-PFL merger, the Italian was slotted into PFL Europe’s lightweight slot. Daniele advanced to the semi-finals with a heel hook over the much-anticipated Alexander Tizovs, earning him a spot in the PFL brass.
Valentina entered the PFL a year earlier than her brother and reached the semifinals of PFL Europe in her first year at 125 pounds. When she faced Dakota Ditcheva, she was stopped by a doctor, but suffered the first KO loss of her career. She bounced back this season with a win over all three judges against Marie Loiseau, advancing to the 2024 semifinals. The brother and sister spoke to the media ahead of their respective games, offering their thoughts on their various experiences and how they plan for the upset.
“I think Chanel is the same as Dakota, but she’s not Dakota,” Valentina said. “She’s a good fighter, but I’m more skilled than she is. I have good striking, just like her, and I have a good strategy for this. There are also many hearts to help guide you.”
Daniele understands the challenges he faces with Kazuba, but no matter the outcome, he hopes the duo will make it an enjoyable show for their fans.
“I’ll try, I’ll try. Of course he has to do what he has to do to win, but to me his style is a little boring. Resting on the fence, pushing, It’s boring. I’m going to make his fight different this time,” said the 31-year-old lightweight.
There was hope among bettors and pundits that Dyer and Kasbah would win, and Daniele and Valentina shared the same sentiments about the story. I mean, they enjoy it. Neither fighter feels pressured and is instead able to fight freely and openly.
“Yeah, that’s really good. That’s really good for us. Everyone thinks they’re going to win, and then you win, and you’re like, ‘Oh, okay, you guessed it,’ but you’re the underdog and you win.” It feels even better when you do it,” Daniele concluded.
