2023 PFL Challenger Series Returns to the backlot of Universal Studios Florida
Challenger Series gives MMA athletes an opportunity to pursue a world championship
and $1 million prize
2023 PFL Challenger Series begins January 27 exclusively on Fubo Sports, FuboTV’s
24/7 sports network dedicated to featuring sports stories on and off the field
NEW YORK (December 29, 2022) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced the 2023 PFL Challenger Series Heavyweight competitors and bouts. The PFL Challenger Series is an eight-night competition which will stream exclusively on Fubo Sports, the live, free-to-consumer TV network from FuboTV Inc. (NYSE: FUBO), the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform. The Challenger Series airs live on Friday nights, beginning January 27 in primetime through March 17, and held on the backlot of Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida, with fighters looking to earn the opportunity to compete for a world championship and $1 million winner’s purse.
The main event of the Heavyweight card will see Giacomo Lemos and Danilo Marques, two Brazilians, match up in the PFL SmartCage for a bout that’s sure to bring fireworks. Lemos previously fought in the 2022 PFL Challenger Series, and will look to continue his winning ways after he earned an impressive victory via knockout in his debut. Marques fights out of Sao Paulo and trains at Vila da Luta, the same gym as Demian Maia and Vanessa Melo. Marques is an experienced fighter with eight career wins in the first round, and has an 83% finish rate, with four knockouts and six submissions.
“As the PFL looks ahead to the new year, we are thrilled to reveal our Heavyweight division for the 2023 PFL Challenger Series, which will be held for a second straight year at Universal Studios Florida,” said PFL President of Fighter Operations, Ray Sefo.
“We’re looking forward to streaming the PFL Challenger Series Heavyweight competition from Universal Studios Florida once again,” said Pamela Duckworth, head of Fubo Networks and originals, FuboTV. “Fubo Sports is the only place fans can catch all of the action from the Challenger Series competition.”
Greg “The Viking King” Velasco, an American wrestling specialist, was a former NCAA D-1 wrestler at Rider University and owns an 80% finish rate with a 5 -1 professional record. Velasco will look to make a statement in his PFL debut against Brazilian Vitor Resende, who owns a 100% finish rate with three of his wins coming in the first round. Resende, who stands 6’9”, trains out of the world famous American Top Team gym in Coconut Creek, Florida.
Manchester native, Abraham Bably, will enter the SmartCage as an undefeated mixed martial artist (2-0 as a professional, 4-0 as an amateur).The Manchester Top Team product will square off with the heavy-hitting American, Hassan Graham. Graham previously fought for Cage Titans, and holds a first round KO victory, along with an undefeated amateur record of 4-0.
Louie Sutherland, a Scottish heavy-handed striker, will match up with Alton “Murda” Meeks, an American former D-1 college football player at Iowa State and Northern Illinois University. Sutherland comes into the matchup with four knockout wins coming in the first round. Meeks, meanwhile, is 4-1 as a professional and boasts a 100% finish rate with two knockouts and two submissions.
Challenger Series competitors will be evaluated by a judging panel, comprised of combat sports champions and celebrity guests.
PFL is the #1 fastest growing company in MMA and the #2 MMA company on worldwide basis. PFL is the only in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in sports-season “win and advance” meritocracy like all other major sports. The PFL fighter roster is global and world-class, with fighters from over 20 countries and 25% independently ranked in the top 25. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage powering real-time betting and next-gen viewing experience. PFL is aired primetime live in the U.S. on ESPN and ESPN+ and in 140 countries via 25 leading broadcast and streaming partners.
Fubo Sports is the exclusive home of the PFL Challenger Series. FuboTV subscribers can stream the PFL Challenger Series plus more thrilling MMA on Fubo Sports as part of FuboTV’s subscription packages featuring 125+ leading sports, news and entertainment channels. Fubo Sports is also available for free on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio WatchFree+, Tubi, Plex, and XUMO with even more fresh content across Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter and YouTube.
About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the fastest growing and most innovative sports league. PFL is the #2 MMA company worldwide on all key metrics and the only with the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship. The Company has four global live fight franchises: PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV Super Fights, and PFL Europe.
PFL airs primetime in the U.S on ESPN and ESPN+ and is broadcast and streamed to 140 countries with 25 international leading media partners, including DAZN, DirectTV, Viaplay, Sky Sports, and MBC. PFL has dozens of major brand sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, GEICO, Bose, US Marine Corps, and Celsius Energy Drink.
PFL is backed by blue-chip investors including Ares, Luxor Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, Knighthead, Legends, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners.
MMA is the growth sport of this decade, with over 600 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demo of any sport, and true global revenue streams.
PFLmma.com; Instagram (@PFLmma); Twitter (@PFLMMA); Facebook (/PFLmma)
About Fubo Sports
Available on more than 155 million devices, Fubo Sports Network is the live, free-to-consumer TV network featuring sports stories on and off the field. Launched by live TV streaming platform FuboTV (NYSE: FUBO) in September 2019, Fubo Sports Network airs live sports, movies and documentaries, award-winning original programming and partner content from Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, Professional Fighters League, World Poker Tour and BeIN Sports Xtra, among others. Produced by Fubo Studios with a mission to bring the voice of the athlete to fans, Fubo Sports’ Network’s original programming is hosted by iconic athletes and current stars including Gilbert Arenas, Terrell Owens, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Orlando Scandrick and R.J. Hampton with legendary sports figures appearing as guests each week.
Stream for free on Amazon Freevee, LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio WatchFree+, Tubi, Plex, XUMO and anywhere podcasts are found. Fubo Sports Network is also available as part of FuboTV’s subscription packages featuring 125+ leading sports, news and entertainment channels. To watch even more original programming, follow Fubo Sports Network on Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter and YouTube.
