PFL Sets Heavyweight Lineup for 2023 Challenger Series Card

2023 PFL Challenger Series returns to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL!

The Heavyweights are set to throw down in Week 3⃣

Advertisement

[ #PFLonFuboTV | Heavyweights | Fri, Feb 10th | 9pm ET] pic.twitter.com/NrlomaeWqX

— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 29, 2022

The Professional Fighters League is bring the boom with eight up-and-coming heavyweights vying for a contract.

On Thursday, the PFL sent out via press release the four heavyweight matchups that will be airing on the PFL Challenger Series show on Feb. 10. The all-heavyweight event, which will air on Fubo TV at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, will include eight competitors that have only gone to six combined decisions. The marquee attraction will see unbeaten Brazilian Giacomo Lemos (8-0) throw hands with fellow countryman and ex-Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter Danilo Marques (12-4).

The remainder of the heavyweight affairs for the third week of the Challenger Series are as follows: Cage Fury Fighting Championships champ Greg Velasco (5-0) vs. towering 6-foot-9 Brazilian powerhouse Vitor Resende (4-0); 2022 PFL Europe qualifier Abraham Bably (2-0) vs. Massachusetts-based neophyte Hassan Graham (1-0) and Bably’s unsuccessful PFL Europe foe Louie Sutherland (4-1) vs. Dana White's Contender Series Season 3 competitor Alton Meeks (4-1).

Ray Sefo, PFL’s President of Fighter Operations, was amped up to discuss fellow heavyweights joining the roster, saying, “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.”

Unlike the recently announced 145-pound women’s division, heavyweights have served as a staple of the PFL’s tournament series since its inception. When compared to the other weight categories, there has never been a repeat tourney champion in any of the four seasons. In 2018, Philipe Lins conquered the division by stopping Josh Copeland early into Round 4. The following year, Ali Isaev ran roughshod over Jared Rosholt until he put the American wrestler away late in the fourth frame. The 2021 season saw Bruno Cappelozza top Ante Delija on the scorecards to win that $1 million check, while in 2022, Delija made good on his attempt to run the table by knocking Matheus Scheffel out in less than three minutes. The winner of the Challenger Series contract may be eligible to compete in the 2023 season, depending on the victor and the remainder of the heavyweight field.