PFL Challenger Series

PFL Challenger Series is an American mixed martial arts competition produced by the Professional Fighters League. Male and female MMA prospects will compete for a slot in the upcoming PFL tournament season and a chance at $1 million. The Series will have a rotating celebrity guest panel, featuring personalities in film, athletics, and music. Mike Tyson, along with NFL stars Ray Lewis and Todd Gurley have served as judges.[1][2][3]

Season One

The PFL Challenger Series will debut on fuboTV. The eight events will stream on consecutive Friday nights starting Feb. 18, and run through March. It will also air on its linear network, Fubo Sports Network.[4]

Week 1 - February 18

PFL Challenger Series 1
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateFebruary 18, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Josh Silveira def. Mohamed Juma Submission (rear-naked choke) 3 1:52
Light Heavyweight Taylor Johnson def. Alexander Poppeck Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Bruce Souto def. Travis Davis KO (flying knee and punches) 1 4:43
Light Heavyweight Karl Williams def. Miles Amos Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–26) 3 5:00

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[5]

  • Bruce Souto

Week 2 - February 25

PFL Challenger Series 2
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateFebruary 25, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Catchweight (177 lb) Jarrah Al Silawi def. Michael Lilly KO (knee) 1 2:54
Welterweight Dilano Taylor def. Mark Martin TKO (doctor stoppage) 1 5:00
Welterweight Carlos Leal def. Korey Kuppe TKO (punches) 1 0:56
Catchweight (173.6 lb) Chris Mixan def. Nathan Pierce TKO (punches) 2 1:29 [a]
  1. ^ Originally a welterweight bout; Pierce missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[6]

  • Jarrah Al Silawi
  • Chris Mixan was signed to a development league contract

Week 3 - March 4

PFL Challenger Series 3
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 4, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Women's Lightweight Martina Jindrova def. Jacqueline Cavalcanti Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Women's Lightweight Jackie Cataline def. Camee Adams Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 2:41
Women's Lightweight Jeslen Mishelle def. Julia Dorny TKO (punches) 1 3:51
Women's Lightweight Michelle Montague def. Olivia Parker Submission (rear-naked choke) 1 3:57

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[7]

  • Martina Jindrová

Week 4 - March 11

PFL Challenger Series 4
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 11, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Featherweight Reinaldo Ekson def. Mike Barnett Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Featherweight Edwin Cooper Jr. def. Troy Lamson Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–27) 3 5:00
Catchweight (148.6 lb) Boston Salmon def. Do Gyeom Lee TKO (corner stoppage) 2 5:00 [a]
Featherweight Brahyan Zurcher def. Scottie Stockman Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Originally a featherweight bout; Lee missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[8]

  • Boston Salmon

Week 5 - March 18

PFL Challenger Series 5
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 18, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Catchweight (156.2 lb) Bruno Miranda def. Carson Frei TKO (punches) 3 3:40 [a]
Lightweight Damir Ferhatbegovic def. B.J. Bland KO (punches) 1 2:41
Lightweight Michael Dufort def. Arut Pogosjan Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 4:02
Lightweight Yanal Ashmouz def. D.J. Hughes Jr. Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Originally a lightweight bout; Miranda missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[9]

  • Bruno Miranda

Week 6 - March 25

PFL Challenger Series 6
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 25, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight Marcelo Nunes def. Bevon Lewis Submission (arm-triangle choke) 2 2:39
Heavyweight Giacomo Lemos def. Billy Swanson TKO (punches) 2 0:33
Heavyweight Adam Keresh def. Chad Johnson TKO (punches) 1 3:34
Heavyweight Daiqwon Buckley def. Jon Cunningham TKO (punches) 2 1:46

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[10]

  • Adam Keresh

Week 7 - April 1

PFL Challenger Series 7
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateApril 1, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States

The event will feature every fighter making their mixed martial arts debut.[11]

Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Catchweight (172.6 lb) Andrija Stankovic def. Louis Brewington Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00 [a]
Lightweight Christian Turner def. Chayanne Serrano Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Lightweight Alexei Pergande def. Joe Hamm Submission (arm-triangle choke) 2 4:42
Heavyweight Rakim Talley def. Santino Zurita Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Featherweight Daeri Alderman def. Jaylong McDaniel Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Originally a welterweight bout; Brewington missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[12]

  • Alexei Pergande was signed to a development league contract

Week 8 - April 8

PFL Challenger Series 8
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateApril 8, 2022
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Catchweight (175.6 lb) Carlos Leal def. Chris Brown Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00 [a]
Light Heavyweight Simeon Powell def. Tobias Baker Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Women's Lightweight Jeslen Mishelle def. Jackie Cataline Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Catchweight (148.2 lb) Ali Zebian def. Aaron Blackie Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00 [b]
  1. ^ Originally a welterweight bout; Leal (171.2) and Brown (175.6) missed weight.
  2. ^ Originally a featherweight bout; Zebian missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[13]

  • Simeon Powell

Season 2

Week 1 - January 27

PFL Challenger Series 9
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateJanuary 27, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Welterweight Itso Babulaidze def. Lucas Barbosa Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Welterweight Thad Jean def. Eric Alequin Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Welterweight Zach Juusola def. Jozef Wittner Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Catchweight (175 lb) Kendly St. Louis def. Nick Alley Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:17

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[14]

  • Thad Jean

Week 2 - February 3

PFL Challenger Series 10
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateFebruary 3, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Women's Featherweight Amanda Leve def. Naranjargal Tsend-Ayush Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Catchweight (146.8 lb) Evelyn Martins def. Jeslen Mishelle Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:38 [a]
Women's Featherweight Jackie Cataline def. Senna van der Veerdonk TKO (punches) 1 4:09
Women's Featherweight Michelle Montague def. Shaquita Amador Woods Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 4:45
  1. ^ Originally a featherweight bout; Martins missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[15]

  • Amanda Leve

Week 3 - February 10

PFL Challenger Series 11
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateFebruary 10, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Heavyweight Danilo Marques def. Ras Hylton Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 2:33
Heavyweight Isaiah Pinson def. Vitor Resende Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Abraham Bably def. Hassan Graham TKO (punches) 1 3:56
Heavyweight Louie Sutherland def. Alton Meeks TKO (knee and punches) 2 1:25

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[16]

  • Abraham Bably

Week 4 - February 17

PFL Challenger Series 12
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateFebruary 17, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Catchweight (157.2 lb) Elvin Espinoza def. Damir Ferhatbegović Submission (rear-naked choke) 2 1:53 [a]
Lightweight Manoel Sousa def. Paulo Henrique Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
Lightweight Anthony Romero def. Antonio Caruso Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–26, 30–26) 3 5:00
Lightweight Charlie Decca def. José Aguayo Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Originally a lightweight bout; Ferhatbegović missed weight.

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[17]

  • Elvin Espinoza

Week 5 - February 24

PFL Challenger Series 13
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateFebruary 24, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Women's Flyweight Kaytlin Neil def. Katherine Corogenes Decision (unanimous) (29–27, 29–27, 29–27) 3 5:00 [a]
Catchweight (127.6 lb) Shanna Young def. Sandra Lavado Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00 [b]
Women's Flyweight Desiree Yanez def. Maíra Mazar Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Women's Flyweight Lisa Mauldin def. Helen Peralta TKO (punches) 3 3:51
  1. ^ Corogenes was deducted 1 point in Round 3 for an eye poke.
  2. ^ Originally a flyweight bout; Lavado missed weight

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[18]

  • Desiree Yanez

Week 6 - March 3

PFL Challenger Series 14
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 3, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Featherweight Brahyan Zurcher def. David Evans Submission (neck crank) 2 1:37
Featherweight Nathan Kelly def. Zachary Hicks Submission (arm-triangle choke) 1 2:30
Featherweight Gabriel Alves Braga def. Ago Huskić Decision (unanimous) (30–25, 30–27, 29–28) 3 5:00
Featherweight James Gonzalez def. Vikas Singh Rhul TKO (punches) 1 4:20

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[19]

  • Brahyan Zurcher

Week 7 - March 10

PFL Challenger Series 15
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 10, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Light Heavyweight Impa Kasanganay def. Osama Elseady TKO (punches) 1 4:15
Light Heavyweight Taylor Johnson def. Trey Williams TKO (punches) 1 1:20
Light Heavyweight Billy Elekana def. Tristan Overvig Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Light Heavyweight Roland Dunlap def. Montè Morrison Decision (unanimous) (29–27, 29–27, 29–27) 3 5:00

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[20]

Week 8 - March 17

PFL Challenger Series 16
PromotionPFL Challenger Series
DateMarch 17, 2023
VenueUniversal Studios Florida
CityOrlando, Florida, United States
Main Card (FuboTV)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Lightweight Kendly St. Louis def. Paulo Henrique Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Women's Featherweight Evelyn Martins def. Jackie Cataline Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) 3 5:00
Heavyweight Denzel Freeman def. Raiden Kovacs TKO (head kick and punches) 1 0:27
Welterweight Ali Omar def. Sanon Sadeck Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 30–27) 3 5:09

Contract awards

The following fighters were awarded contracts with the PFL:[21]

  • Denzel Freeman

See also

References

  1. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2022-01-19). "PFL Challenger Series debuts Feb. 18 on Fubo Sports Network". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  2. ^ Stitt, Anthony. "PFL Challenger Series Gearing Up For Debut, With Undiscovered Talent Set To Get A Big Break". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  3. ^ "PFL Announces "Challenger Series" To Scout Up-And-Coming Talent". MMA News. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  4. ^ "Everything you need to know about PFL's Challenger Series". FanSided. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  5. ^ "PFL Challenger Series 1 live stream and results: Bruce Souto wins first contract". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-19. Retrieved 2022-02-19.
  6. ^ "Al Silawi earns contract –– but two major surprises follow". www.pflmma.com. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  7. ^ Sherdog.com. "Martina Jindrova Awarded Professional Fighters League Contact at PFL Challenger Series 3". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
  8. ^ Staff (2022-03-11). "PFL Challenger Series 4 Full Results". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-03-12.
  9. ^ Sherdog.com. "Overweight Bruno Miranda Wins Contract at PFL Challenger Series 5". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  10. ^ Sherdog.com. "Professional Fighters League Signs Adam Keresh Following PFL Challenger Series 6 Stoppage". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-03-26.
  11. ^ Sherdog.com. "PFL Challenger Series on April 1 to Feature Fighters Making Pro MMA Debuts". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  12. ^ "PFL Challenger Series 7 results: Alexei Pergande earns contract in pro debut". MMA Junkie. 2022-04-02. Retrieved 2022-04-02.
  13. ^ Sherdog.com. "Professional Fighters League Signs Simeon Powell in Wake of PFL Challenger Series 8 Rout". Sherdog. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  14. ^ Sherdog.com. "Professional Fighters League Signs Thad Jean on Week 1 of PFL Challenger Series". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  15. ^ Wells, Matthew (4 February 2023). "2023 PFL Challenger Series 2 results: Amanda Leve wins unanimous decision, PFL contract". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  16. ^ Brian Knapp (2023-02-10). "Abraham Bably nets Professional Fighters League deal on PFL Challenger Series 3". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  17. ^ "Undefeated Lightweight Elvin Espinoza Earns Contract at PFL Challenger Series Week 4". Sherdog. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  18. ^ Sherdog.com. "Desiree Yanez Wins Contract at PFL Challenger Series 5". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  19. ^ Wells, Matthew (4 March 2023). "2023 PFL Challenger Series 6 results: Brahyan Zurcher wins featherweight contract with submission win". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  20. ^ Kirven, J.L. "Light Heavyweight Impa Kasanganay Secures Contract on PFL Challenger Series 7". Sherdog. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  21. ^ Tyler Treese (2023-03-17). "Denzel Freeman earns final PFL Challenger Series 2023 contract". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.