The PFL Challenger Series gives fighters the opportunity to join the PFL’s global roster
The PFL Challenger Series continues live Friday, March 4 at 9:00 p.m. ET exclusively
on fuboTV’s linear network, Fubo Sports Network
NEW YORK (January 25, 2022) – The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced that the PFL Challenger Series will continue from Universal Studios in Orlando, FL on Friday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET with women’s lightweight action. The PFL Challenger Series airs live exclusively on Fubo Sports Network, the live TV network from sports-first live TV streaming platform fuboTV Inc. (NYSE: FUBO).
“The Challenger Series is a first-of-its-kind MMA competition where elite athletes from all across the world with unique backgrounds and experiences appear on one of the most prominent stages in MMA today. Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of PFL stated, “I’m excited to get to Orlando to evaluate these talented athletes who will put it all on the line in front of our panel of combat sports legends and global icons to live out their dreams of becoming a world champion.” The PFL Challenger Series presents MMA fighters with elite fighting pedigree to square off in a series of high performance events with the ultimate quest being the PFL podium for a million dollar prize as a PFL rostered fighter.
The PFL continues to innovate the sport of MMA by expanding opportunities for exceptional fighters from around the globe. More than 500 MMA managers and trainers submitted applications on behalf of fighters with the most significant accolades in a mixed martial art discipline to compete in the PFL Challenger Series. Only 56 fighters were selected by PFL for this unique series.
“On March 4th the women take center stage in The PFL Challenger Series and we couldn’t be more excited,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of PFL. “We have seen the women in MMA take the leap into the main event. The PFL is a meritocracy and we cannot wait to further show the world what our women can do in the SmartCage”
French Olympic wrestler Cynthia Vescan is slated to make her professional debut. She was a member of the French team that competed in London in 2012. She is a two-time bronze medal winner in the European Championships in 2018 and 2021.
American wrestler Jackie Cataline Surber will also be in action and looking to show she belongs among the top women’s lightweights in the world. The former Olympic trials competitor and former Pan American champion will be a force to be reckoned with.
Germany’s Julia Dorny (2-0) comes to the PFL off of a pair of TKO victories. She has a history in Judo and is the 2018 IMMAF world champion. She is also a television journalist and anchor in her spare time.
Michelle Montague spent most of 2021 in South Florida as a sparring partner for a pair of women’s MMA royalty, the PFL’s Kayla Harrison and UFC’s Amanda Nunes. the Kiwi is a former IMMAF champion and was a member of the New Zealand wrestling team. Her home gym is City Kickboxing, home to champions Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski. She will be making her professional debut.
The women’s division will also include the Czech Republic’s Martina Jindrova (3-1), Jacqueline Cavalcanti (2-0) from Portugal and Americans Jeslen Mishelle (0-0) and Olivia Parker (4-2).
Viewers watching the PFL Challenger Series can also interact with the women’s lightweight live competition through fuboTV’s popular predictive, free-to-play games. During the bouts, fans can answer predictive questions about the action all on one screen using their remote control. Fubo Sportsbook, now live in Iowa and Arizona, is also the exclusive gambling sponsor of the PFL Challenger Series.
Fubo Sports Network is fuboTV’s linear TV network dedicated to featuring sports stories on and off the field. Fans can stream live sports, original programming and partner content on Fubo Sports Network as part of fuboTV’s subscription packages of 100+ sports, news and entertainment channels.
About Professional Fighters League
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the fastest growing and most innovative sports league. PFL is the #2 MMA company worldwide and the only with the sports-season format where individual fighters compete in Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship.
PFL is primetime in the U.S on ESPN and ESPN+ and was broadcast and streamed live worldwide last year to 160 countries with partners including RMC Sport, FPT, Sky Sport, and more. The PFL roster is world-class, with 25% of PFL fighters independently ranked in the top 25 in the world. The PFL proprietary SmartCage data and analytics platform powers real-time betting and provides next-gen viewing experience.
PFL has over two-dozen blue-chip brand sponsors such as Anheuser-Busch, IBM, GEICO, DraftKings, Bose, Socios.com, Air Force Reserve, US Marine Corps, and more. PFL is backed by major investors including Ares Capital, Luxor Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, Swan Ventures, Knighthead, Legends, and several NBA, MLB, and NHL team owners.
MMA is the growth sport of this decade, with 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 Network
Available on 75 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, award-winning original programming such as No Chill with Gilbert Arenas and Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. and Hatch and partner content from Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, Stadium, USA TODAY, Flex Fight, World Poker Tour, and BeIN Sports Xtra, among others. Stream for free on LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio Channels, Sports on Tubi, Plex, Hisense Smart TVs, and XUMO or as part of fuboTV’s subscription packages of 100+ sports, news and entertainment channels.
