Welterweight fighters will appear on the first edition of the PFL Challenger Series in 2023.
The event provides athletes with a chance to secure a spot in the upcoming PFL season through fights.
2023 PFL Challenger Series begins January 27 exclusively on Fubo Sports Network, FuboTV’s 24/7 sports network dedicated to featuring sports stories on and off the field
The main event of the 2023 PFL Challenger Series Welterweight card will see Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu star who holds a grappling victory over Gilbert Burns, look to make the transition to MMA. He stands across the PFL SmartCage from Itso Babulaidze who won his PFL debut by knockout and trains out of Renzo Gracie Philly.
“The 2023 PFL Challenger Series provides world class talent a path to the PFL,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo. “The Challenger Series continues the PFL’s commitment to finding the best talent in MMA around the world.”
Undefeated CFFC Welterweight Champion, Eric Alequin will face Thad ”Silverback” Jean. Jean, also undefeated, has competed in CFFC and LFA, and boasts a victory over former PFL Challenger Series contract winner and 2022 PFL Challenger Series alumni Dilano Taylor.
Current Jungle Fights Welterweight Champion Quemuel “Manumito” Ottoni, the only man to defeat current UFC Middleweight Champion Alex Pereira, puts his 5-fight win streak on the line against Jozef Wittner. Wittner enters the SmartCage with 11 stoppages while riding a four-fight winning streak.
Mostafa Rashed Neda, a judo specialist on a three-fight win streak, will face off against Nicholas Alley, who has earned 5 of his 7 career wins by submission and boasts an 86% stoppage rate.