The PFL’s Challenger Series returned for the third week of 2023, with athletes gunning for a PFL contract that could either serve as a developmental deal or earn them a spot directing into the regular season to compete for its $1 million prize.
2023 PFL Challenger Series 3 took place Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., and aired live on fubo Sports Network. The event featured four heavyweight bouts.
The big men brought the pain throughout the card. Louie Sutherland and Abraham Bably finished their opponents with vicious strikes, while Danilo Marques put his opponent to sleep. In the lone decision of the evening, Isaiah Pinson emerged victorious after a back-and-forth three-round war.
After the conclusion of the bouts, the four winners were narrowed down to Sutherland and Bably to determine which fighter would be awarded a PFL contract with the help of a live fan vote.
The celebrity panel this week consisted of Olympic Gold Medalist and WWE superstar Kurt Angle, along with former UFC champions Vitor Belfort and Frank Mir. The panel, along with the fans, chose Bably, awarding the first contract winner of the 2023 series that did not require a tie-breaking vote from Ray Sefo.
Official results for 2023 PFL Challenger Series 3 include:
- Danilo Marques def. Ras Hylton via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:33
- Isaiah Pinson def. Vitor Resende via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
- Abraham Bably def. Hassan Graham via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:56
- Louie Sutherland def. Alton Meeks via TKO (knee & punches) – Round 2, 1:25
