The PFL Challenger Series gives fighters the opportunity to join the
PFL’s global roster
The PFL Challenger Series continues live Friday, March 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET
exclusively on fuboTV’s linear network, Fubo Sports Network
NEW YORK (February 1, 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 18 at 9 p.m. ET with 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.
“We could not be more excited about the lightweight talent entering the inaugural PFL Challenger Series,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of PFL. “When the lightweights square off, with a potential PFL roster spot up for grabs, on March 18 MMA fans are guaranteed action and excitement.”
Brazilian ace Bruno Miranda will take on American Carson Frei in a matchup of well-rounded fighters. Miranda has fought around the world boasting a 13-3 record and brings a four-fight winning streak to the Smartcage. Frei (9-4) is coming off of an impressive first round win, his third in four fights. The Oregon native will look to impress in hopes of making the jump to the 2022 PFL Season.
Damir Ferhatbegovic is the Valor FC lightweight champion and he is looking to make the jump to the big show. The “Bosnian Barn Cat” claimed the title with a second round knockout this past June to run his record to 5-2-1. He will face his toughest challenge to date when he steps into the cage with City Kickboxing product BJ Bland. Bland (16-10) has a wealth of experience and trains with top fighters like Israel Adesanya and Alexander Volkanovski.
Michael Dufort (8-4) is a training partner of Olivier Aubin-Mercier and is looking to make a mark of his own by joining his friend in the PFL lightweight division. The Canadian is a finisher with all eight of his wins coming by way of stoppage while three of his defeats have come by split-decision. He’ll take on hard-hitting Armenian Arut Pogosian out of the talent-laden Elevation Fight Team in Colorado. Pogosian (9-3) comes in on a three-fight win streak, two by way of first round knockout.
Israeli newcomer Yanal Ashmoz is set to take on American Dennis Hughes to round out the lightweight slate. Ashmoz (6-0) sports a spotless record with five straight finishes including four knockouts. Hughes (7-3) is a Mississippi native who enters the Challenger Series on a three-fight winning streak of his own. Of his seven wins, only one opponent has made it to the final bell. He has been an equal opportunity finisher with three submissions and three knockouts.
Lightweight Matchups:
- Bruno Miranda vs. Carson Frei
- Damir Ferhatbegovic vs. BJ Bland
- Michael Dufort vs. Arut Pogosian
- Yanal Ashmoz vs. Dennis Hughes
Viewers watching the PFL Challenger Series can also interact with the lightweight live competition through fuboTV’s popular predictive, free-to-play games to earn points and compete for a cash prize. 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.
