The PFL’s Challenger Collection returned for the eighth week of 2023, with some athletes gunning for a second shot at a PFL contract that would both function a developmental deal or earn them a spot directing into the common season to compete for its $1 million prize.
2023 PFL Challenger Collection 8 occurred Friday at Common Studios in Orlando, Fla., and aired dwell on fubo Sports activities Community. The “Second Probability” occasion featured 4 bouts at numerous weight lessons: light-weight, welterweight, heavyweight and ladies’s featherweight. The fighters within the remaining two bouts of the night competed for the second time throughout this yr’s Challenger Collection.
Ali Omar (5-2) bought the night began with a gritty break up determination win over Sanon Sadeck (3-2). Within the second bout, Denzel Freeman (4-0) made fast work of Raiden Kovacs (0-1), ending the struggle in simply 27 seconds after a brutal head kick led to the stoppage. Evelyn Martins (4-0) outstruck Jackie Cataline (3-2) to win a unanimous determination. Within the characteristic bout, Kendly St. Louis (9-4) shut out Paulo Henrique (14-7) on the scorecards to win a one-sided unanimous determination.
The 4 winners had been narrowed right down to Freeman and Martins , with their PFL common season hopes within the palms of voters.
The movie star panel this week consisted of former UFC champion Randy Couture, two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison, and award-winning recording artist and half proprietor of PFL, Wiz Khalifa. The panel, together with the followers, selected Freeman because the heavyweight contract winner. He’ll now compete within the upcoming common season, the place he’ll check his expertise towards PFL’s largest fighters.
Freeman is undefeated by 4 fights in his skilled profession. Friday’s bout was his first look contained in the cage since 2021, the place he recorded a 47-second end of Duane Crespo at Titan FC 70.
Official outcomes for 2023 PFL Challenger Collection 8 embrace:
Kendly St. Louis def. Paulo Henrique unanimous determination (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Evelyn Martins def. Jackie Cataline through unanimous determination (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Denzel Freeman def. Raiden Kovacs through TKO (punches) – Spherical 1, 0:27
Ali Omar def. Sanon Sadeck through break up determination (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
