PFL Season Kicks Into Overdrive This Saturday Night

Featherweights and light heavyweights hit the SmartCage as the 2023 PFL season kicks off this Saturday night.

Live on ESPN and ESPN+ from The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Brendan Loughnane begins defense of his title.

Loughnane will headline the card against Marlon Moraes in what could be a possible finals preview.

Also, 2022 champion Rob Wilkinson takes on Thiago Santos in light heavyweight action.

In case you don’t know, or might have forgot, the PFL runs a little different than other mixed martial arts promotions. They put together a regular season that sees fighters square off, with points being awarded for wins and finishes.

From there, those with the most points accumulated qualify for the playoffs. The single-elimination bracket is paired down until just two remain alive. That is when the fighters convene for PFL Championships, with titles and big-time paychecks being awarded.

Last year, Loughnane and Wilkinson did just that, coming out on top. But, as they have done since debuting, the PFL has put together strong divisions loaded with high-level fighters.

Featherweight will feature Loughnane, Moraes, Movlid Khaybulaev, Ryoji Kudo, Chris Wade and Bubba Jenkins among others. At light heavyweight, Wilkinson, Santos, Krzysztof Jotko and Will Fleury are set to compete.

With the fields loaded, each and every point could be the difference between moving on later in the year and going home. That should have the fighters primed and ready for action to begin the 2023 season.