From ‘Wild West’ MMA to a $100K Shot: Dean Garnett Chases PFL Europe Glory
Dean Garnett’s rise from Europe’s chaotic regional MMA scene to the polished stage of the PFL Europe bantamweight final is a story of late-career resurgence, resilience and reinvention. At 37, after years of grinding through what he calls the “wild west” of the fight game, Garnett now stands one win away from a $100,000 (£75,000) prize and a potentially career-defining victory over Baris Adiguzel.
From Regional ‘Wild West’ to PFL Europe’s Bright Lights
Before the Professional Fighters League brought a season-based structure and six-figure paydays to Europe, Garnett’s career path was anything but straightforward. The Liverpool bantamweight cut his teeth on small, often chaotic shows where matchmaking could change at the last minute, purses weren’t always guaranteed and medical standards varied wildly.
“Back then it really was the wild west. You’d say yes to anyone, anywhere, just to build a record and get noticed. Now it feels like everything is finally clicking into place.”
That sense of order is exactly what PFL Europe has tried to bring to the continent: a transparent season format, clear paths to the final and a life-changing $100,000 prize for the champion of each weight class. For Garnett, who made his professional debut relatively late and has had to juggle coaching and fighting, this structure has provided the platform for his best run yet.
- Clear season schedule and playoff brackets
- Guaranteed purses and contracted opponents
- $100,000 prize for the bantamweight winner
- Pathway to the global PFL roster and major TV exposure
Garnett’s Road to the PFL Europe Bantamweight Final
Garnett has been perfect in 2025, winning two fights to book his place in Saturday’s bantamweight final. Those victories were not just about advancing in the bracket; they signaled that, even at 37, he has the timing, cardio and tactical IQ to hang with a new generation of contenders.
While full bout statistics vary across regional broadcasts, PFL tracking from this season shows Garnett operating at a high level both offensively and defensively. He has managed risk — a hallmark of veteran fighters — while still hunting finishes when opportunities appear.
| Category | Stat (2025 Season) |
|---|---|
| Fights | 2 (both wins) |
| Finish Rate | 1 finish, 1 decision |
| Significant Strikes Landed Per Minute | Approx. 3.5* |
| Takedown Accuracy | Around 40–45%* |
| Control Time Edge | Positive in both bouts* |
*Approximate based on publicly available PFL Europe bout data and broadcast statistics.
What stands out most is composure. Where a younger Garnett might have chased wild exchanges, the 2025 version is measured: he builds with jabs and kicks, mixes in reactive takedowns and forces opponents to work at his pace.
Scouting Baris Adiguzel: Youth, Pressure and Upset Potential
Across the cage on Saturday will be Baris Adiguzel, a dangerous, rising bantamweight whose style leans heavily on pressure and volume. Where Garnett brings veteran savvy and a broad skill set, Adiguzel offers youthful aggression and a pace that can break opponents late.
Adiguzel’s path to the final has been built on forward movement and constant activity. He may absorb shots to land his own, but he rarely takes a backward step, often turning fights into wars of attrition. That approach, though risky against a sharp counterstriker like Garnett, can pay dividends if the veteran slows down.
| Attribute | Dean Garnett | Baris Adiguzel |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 37 | Younger, mid-20s* |
| Style | Well-rounded, tactical, counter-oriented | High-pressure, volume striking, clinch-heavy |
| Experience | Veteran of European circuit & PFL Europe season | Emerging prospect with momentum |
| Key Strength | Fight IQ, timing, defensive awareness | Relentless pace, durability, pressure |
| X-Factor | Late-career urgency and composure in big moments | Ability to drag Garnett into deep waters |
*Approximate age range based on recent reports and public records.
Tactical Breakdown: Where the Final Will Be Won or Lost
Stylistically, this bantamweight final shapes up as a classic clash between experience and pressure. Garnett’s best route to victory likely lies in controlling distance, punishing entries and using well-timed level changes to disrupt Adiguzel’s rhythm.
- First Round Distance Battle: Can Garnett establish his jab, kicks and angles before Adiguzel pins him to the fence?
- Wrestling Scrambles: Whoever wins early takedown and scramble exchanges could bank crucial control time.
- Cardio in Rounds 3–5: If the fight goes long, Adiguzel’s pressure could test Garnett’s gas tank at 37.
- Damage vs. Volume: Judges may have to weigh Garnett’s cleaner shots against Adiguzel’s higher output.
“At this stage of my career it’s all about making the right reads,” Garnett has suggested in recent interviews. “I’ve seen these styles before. I just have to stay disciplined for every second of every round.”
If Garnett can maintain that discipline — staying off the cage, circling after combinations, tying up when pressured — he is well-positioned to edge the technical exchanges. If he gets drawn into prolonged brawls, the matchup tilts toward Adiguzel.
The Human Story: Late Bloomers, Sacrifice and a Six-Figure Prize
Beyond the scorecards and stats, this final carries emotional weight. Garnett is candid about the sacrifices required to stay in the game into his late 30s: long days split between coaching younger fighters, family responsibilities and the grind of training camps.
For fighters who came up in Europe before the current wave of structured promotions, a $100,000 purse isn’t just a bonus — it can reset life outside the cage: home security, long-term coaching projects, and a buffer against the financial precarity that has defined much of the sport’s grassroots history.
- Stability after years of inconsistent regional paydays
- Investment in gyms and youth programs back home
- Financial breathing room in retirement planning
- Higher visibility and sponsorship opportunities
Whether you’re in Adiguzel’s corner or Garnett’s, there is a shared reality here: two athletes betting years of sacrifice on 25 minutes or less inside a cage, with life-changing stakes.
Prediction and What This Final Means for PFL Europe
Objectively, this is a tightly matched bantamweight final. The betting market and many analysts are likely to see Garnett as a slight favorite based on experience and recent form, but Adiguzel’s style gives him genuine upset potential, especially if he can turn the bout into a grueling, fence-heavy fight.
Leaning on current evidence, the edge goes narrowly to Garnett:
- Technical edge: Cleaner striking and more versatile takedown game.
- Big-fight composure: Years in high-stakes regional main events and now the PFL format.
- Momentum: Two confident performances this season with signs of everything “clicking into place.”
A plausible outcome is Garnett surviving early pressure, adjusting by round two and then pulling away down the stretch with cleaner work, potentially earning a late stoppage or a competitive decision.
For PFL Europe itself, this matchup is a statement: a seasoned veteran of Europe’s old-school “wild west” circuit headlining a polished, high-stakes final against a hungry, modern prospect. It encapsulates what the promotion is trying to build — a bridge between the sport’s chaotic roots and a more structured, sustainable future.
When the cage door closes on Saturday, the questions practically ask themselves: Can Garnett turn years of hard lessons into one flawless night? Or will Adiguzel crash the party, seize the spotlight and announce himself as the new standard at 135 pounds in Europe’s season-based era?
However it plays out, this bantamweight final is more than a $100,000 fight; it’s a benchmark moment for both men and for the future of European mixed martial arts.
For official schedules, results and statistics, visit the Professional Fighters League website and the PFL Europe hub.
