Professional Fighters League issued a statement today that the first event of the Challenger Series will take place on Friday, February 18 in Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. It will be broadcasted live on fuboTV’s streaming platform.
The PFL Challenger Series is based around young and up-and-coming MMA fighters that will compete for a spot in PFL regular season and the possibility to win a $1 million prize. Each week one of the fighters will be rewarded with a contract that will secure their place in the 2022 PFL Regular Season roster, or allow them to join a development program with an opportunity to join a future season.
PFL’s President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo said:
The Challenger Series is a first-of-its-kind MMA competition where fighters from all backgrounds and experiences get a shot to prove themselves in front of a panel of combat sports legends and global icons. I’m excited to get to Orlando to evaluate these talented athletes who will put it all on the line to live out their dreams of becoming a world champion.
Enter the light heavyweights
The premiere PFL Challenger Series event will be based around the 205-pound light heavyweight division, including LFA double champion Josh Silveira. He has an unblemished 7 – 0 professional MMA record and is the son of MMA legend and American Top Team co-founder Conan Silvera.
Dana White’s Contender Series alumni Alexander Poppeck has a 12 – 3 professional MMA record. He bounced back from a loss on the aforementioned program, and is currently riding a three-fight winning streak. ‘Ironside’ is a striker with a kickboxing and Muay Thai background.
The rest of the division consists of Mohamed Juma with an 8 – 2 professional MMA record with an eight-fight winning streak, Contender Series and Bellator veteran Taylor Johnson, undefeated 22-year-old Brit Simeon Powell, Bruce Souto, who also is riding an 8 fight winning streak, and unbeaten Brazilian Joao Paulo Fagunes.
Viewers watching Challenger Series via fuboTV’s app will be able to send their predictions during the fights, bet on the outcome, and vote on their favorite fighters. They will be joined by the experts panel that will include former UFC champions Tyron Woodley, Vitor Belfort, Randy Couture, as well as NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis.
