Lance Palmer claimed the PFL featherweight championship with a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Steven Siler.

The featherweight playoff final was part of today’s PFL 11 event at Hulu Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York. It aired on NBCSN. Palmer (17-3) won the fight against Siler (32-18-1) with decisive scorecards of 50-43, 50-45 and 49-46.

The fight began with a rather slow pace, but once Palmer (17-3) and Siler (32-18-1) came together, the intensity picked up big time. After some close striking exchanges, Palmer landed a big takedown. Siler tried to threaten off his back before standing up. He then chased after Palmer and scored with some nice flurries. He almost got too overeager and exposed himself to a counter shot, but definitely left the opening round with the momentum.

Despite informing his corner of a foot injury between rounds, Palmer came out int he second looking to pressure with his offense. Nothing of massive significance happened until Palmer found the right moment to shoot in with a double leg takedown that planted “Super” on the mat. Siler remained composed, though, and stood up with the help of the fence. Palmer continued to work, but Siler showed good defense in staying out of further danger in the second round.

Palmer began to pick things up in the third, however, as his takedown game became more prevalent. Siler connected with a good punch early in the frame, but then essentially was able to get takedowns on his opponent at will. He landed some decent damage on top, which took more away from Siler’s ability to mount a comeback.

Once the fight hit the championship rounds, Palmer took complete control. He grounded Siler right when he desired and kept him there for almost the entirety of the round. Palmer did attack with some submission attempts, but mainly opted to work ground-and-pound on Siler from the low-risk half guard position en route to another winning round.

With the momentum of the fight all going against him, Palmer came out with a look of desperation in the fifth round. He denied Palmer’s first series of takedown attempts, but that didn’t deter the relentless wrestler. Palmer found the opening with just over three minutes into the round, and that essentially locked up the belt and prize money for him. Siler tired for some Hail Mary submission attempts, but he didn’t have the energy or wherewithal to lock something tight in on Palmer, who took another round and the unanimous decision victory.

The victory marked Palmer’s second over Siler after winning by decision as well in the season opener in November, and after receiving the $1 million check, “Party” reveled in his journey to the moment.

“It’s not really just this season or the past couple years or just training MMA, it’s my entire life of competing going into this,” Palmer said in his post-fight interview with Caroline Pierce. “I don’t think $1 million can repay all the hard work I put in, but it’s a good start.”

Up-to-the-minute PFL 11 results include:

• Lance Palmer def. Steven Siler via unanimous decision (50-43, 50-45, 49-46) – to win featherweight title
• Louis Taylor def. Abusupiyan Magomedov via knockout (punch) – Round 1, 0:33 – to win middleweight title

For complete coverage of PFL 11, check out the MMA Events section of the site.