PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE CHALLENGER SERIES 2023 FEATHERWEIGHT COMPETITORS AND BOUTS
The Professional Fighters League has announced the 2023 PFL Challenger Series Featherweight competitors and bouts. The PFL Challenger Series is an eight-part competition which will stream. The Challenger Series airs live on Friday nights in primetime, beginning January 27 through March 17, and is held on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, with fighters looking to earn the opportunity to compete for a world championship and $1 million winner’s purse.
The main event of the Featherweight card will feature Brahyan Zurcher and David Evans going head-to-head inside the PFL SmartCage. Zurcher, a 26-year-old striker with two professional wins caught the eye of PFL’s President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo while training at the famed Xtreme Couture Gym in Las Vegas. Standing across the PFL SmartCage will be David Evans, whose MMA record of five wins includes three stoppages.
“The PFL Challenger Series is where some of the best fighters in the world begin to create their legacies, and we’re excited to introduce the Featherweight division for the 2023 PFL Challenger Series” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo. “We are proud to present these athletes with a global platform, fighting to achieve PFL Regular Season glory.”
Ireland’s Nathan Kelly, riding a winning streak with five first-round stoppages, will do battle with American wrestling specialist Zachary Hicks, who enters having won his last three fights and submitting five of his opponents.
Further action will see Ago “The Bosnian Dragon” Husic and undefeated Gabriel Braga compete for the chance at a PFL contract. Husic, who famously took a fight with 2022 PFL Featherweight Champion Brendan Loughnane on five days’ notice, returns to the SmartCage against Braga, a Muay Thai practitioner who trains with the famed Nogueira brothers.
Vikas Singh Ruhil, a former Indian regional bodybuilding champion, will take on Igeu “Smiley” Kabesa, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and is a wrestling and jiu jitsu practitioner. Kabesa is a two-time EFC Worldwide FW champion with 10 career finishes to his name.
PFL Challenger Series winners will be determined by a judging panel comprised of combat sports champions and celebrity guests. The PFL is at the forefront of innovation, recently reaching an agreement with Jake Paul, who will compete in, recruit for, and promote the league’s PPV Super Fight division.
Stay tuned for more updates.
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