The PFL Challenger Series gives fighters the opportunity to join the PFL’s global roster
The PFL Challenger Series to air live beginning Friday, February 18 at 9:00 p.m. ET exclusively
on fuboTV’s linear network, Fubo Sports Network
NEW YORK (February 3, 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 25 at 9 p.m. ET with heavyweight 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.
“The PFL continues to innovate and seek the best talent in the world.” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations of PFL.“ I cannot wait for the heavyweight to take to the cage and see if they have what it takes to join the deepest, most talented roster in all of MMA.”
The last time MMA fans saw Bevon Lewis in the cage he was 185-pounds with promise. He will return to action as a heavyweight. Lewis (7-3) will make his divisional debut against the talented Marcelo Nunes. Nunes (7-1) is a BJJ champion who has finished all seven of his victories, five of them coming by way of submission.
Giacomo Lemos is considered the top Brazilian heavyweight prospect and he will be looking to prove it when he steps into the Challenger Series. Lemos (7-0), is a finisher who has not yet heard a final bell, stopping all seven of his wins inside the distance. He will face LFA 2019 heavyweight tournament champion Brett Martin. A Michigan-native, Martin (10-1) comes to the PFL on a six-fight win streak and will be looking to stake his claim to a 2022 Season roster spot.
Adam Keresh is an undefeated heavyweight out of Israel who has proven to be a knockout machine. Keresh (4-0) has finished all of his opponents via strikes with three of those going down in the first round. His opponent will be Chad Johnson who also sports a 100-percent finishing rate. Johnson (6-3) has big time power and will be looking for another KO in hopes of securing a PFL contract.
The final bout at heavyweight will feature a pair of former football players. In his time at Temple University, Daiqwon Buckley was a bruising fullback, he’ll look to continue to bruise his opponents as he makes the transition to MMA full time. Buckley (1-0) is coming off a victory in his pro debut over former NBA first rounder Royce White. He’ll be facing former Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Jon Cunningham who is coming off a victory in his professional debut as well. Cunningham (1-0) trains out of the legendary Jackson-Wink camp in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Heavyweight Matchups - March 25
- Bevon Lewis vs. Marcelo Nunes
- Giacomo Lemos vs. Brett Martin
- Adam Keresh vs. Chad Johnson
- Daiqwon Buckley vs. Jon Cunningham
Viewers watching the PFL Challenger Series can also interact with the heavyweight live competitions 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.
