2023 in Professional Fighters League

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2023 in Professional Fighters League
Information
First dateMarch 25, 2023
Last dateDecember 8, 2023
Events
Total events14
Fights
Title fights10

This is a list of events and standings for the Professional Fighters League, a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States, for the 2023 season.

Events[edit]

The PFL 2023 season started off with three shows planned in Las Vegas, Nevada, making a return to the city for the first time in three years. The first show aired on April 1, 2023, with the two subsequent shows airing on the Fridays afterward, on April 7 and 14.[1][2]

The second half of the regular season was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 8, June 16 and June 23.[3]

The first playoff event, PFL 7, was held in San Antonio, Texas on August 4, and two following playoff events in New York City, New York on August 18 and 23, respectively.[4][5] The season finals were held in Washington, D.C., on November 24.[6]

# Event Date Venue Location
14 PFL Europe 4 December 8, 2023 3Arena Dublin, Ireland
13 PFL 10 November 24, 2023 The Anthem Washington, D.C., U.S.
12 PFL Europe 3 September 30, 2023 Zénith Paris - La Villette Paris, France
11 PFL 9 August 23, 2023 The Theater at Madison Square Garden New York City, New York, U.S.
10 PFL 8 August 18, 2023
9 PFL 7 August 4, 2023 Boeing Center at Tech Port San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
8 PFL Europe 2 July 8, 2023 Verti Music Hall Berlin, Germany
7 PFL 6 June 23, 2023 Overtime Elite Arena Atlanta, Georgia, United States
6 PFL 5 June 16, 2023
5 PFL 4 June 8, 2023
4 PFL 3 April 14, 2023 The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
3 PFL 2 April 7, 2023
2 PFL 1 April 1, 2023
1 PFL Europe 1 March 25, 2023 Vertu Motors Arena Newcastle, England

2023 World champions[edit]

2023 PFL World champions[edit]

Division Upper weight limit Champion Date
Heavyweight 265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) Renan Ferreira November 24, 2023 (PFL 10)
Light Heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) Impa Kasanganay November 24, 2023 (PFL 10)
Welterweight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) Magomed Magomedkerimov (2) November 24, 2023 (PFL 10)
Men's Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) Olivier Aubin-Mercier (2) November 24, 2023 (PFL 10)
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.5 st) Jesus Pinedo November 24, 2023 (PFL 10)
Women's Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.5 st) Larissa Pacheco November 24, 2023 (PFL 10)

2023 PFL Europe World champions[edit]

Division Upper weight limit Champion Date
Light Heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) Jakob Nedoh December 8, 2023 (PFL Europe 4)
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) Jakub Kaszuba December 8, 2023 (PFL Europe 4)
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) Khurshed Kakhorov December 8, 2023 (PFL Europe 4)
Women's Flyweight 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) Dakota Ditcheva December 8, 2023 (PFL Europe 4)

PFL Challenger Series[edit]

PFL Challenger Series is an American mixed martial arts promotion. Young and up-and-coming male and female MMA prospects will compete for a slot in the PFL tournament season and a chance at $1 million. Each week, the PFL Challenger Series will consist of a celebrity guest panel featuring personalities in film, athletics, and music.[7][8][9] The PFL Challenger Series will debut on fuboTV. The eight events will stream on consecutive Friday nights starting Feb. 18, and run through March. It will also air on its linear network, Fubo Sports Network.[10]

2023 Contract Winners:

PFL Europe[edit]

Starting in 2023, PFL Europe will feature the top emerging European MMA fighters, and will be broadcast during prime local hours with all events staged in Europe. The format will follow the same as the regular PFL Season, with the winner receiving a $100,000 prize and a chance to earn a spot in the 2024 PFL regular season.[19][20][21]

Light Heavyweight[edit]

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 
 
 
Netherlands Mohamed Amine 2r.
 
 
 
England Simeón Powell SUB
 
England Simeón Powell UD
 
 
 
Spain Daniel Ladero [a] 3r.
 
Spain Abdellah Er-Ramy TKO
 
 
 
Romania Mădălin Pîrvulescu 1r.
 
England Simeón Powell 2r.
 
 
 
Slovenia Jakob Nedoh TKO
 
Italy Riccardo Nosiglia 1r.
 
 
 
Slovenia Jakob Nedoh KO
 
Slovenia Jakob Nedoh TKO
 
 
 
France Anthony Salamone 1r.
 
France Anthony Salamone TKO
 
 
Spain Daniel Ladero 1r.
 
  1. ^ Er-Ramy wasn not medically cleared and was replaced by Daniel Ladero

Lightweight[edit]

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 
 
 
Latvia Aleksandr Chizov[a] DRAW
 
 
 
Spain Acoidan Duque 3r.
 
France Geysim Derouiche [b] 3r.
 
 
 
Republic of Ireland John Mitchell UD
 
Republic of Ireland John Mitchell UD
 
 
 
France Geysim Derouiche 3r.
 
Republic of Ireland John Mitchell 2r.
 
 
 
Poland Jakub Kaszuba TKO
 
England Connor Hughes 3r.
 
 
 
Republic of Ireland Dylan Tuke UD
 
Republic of Ireland Dylan Tuke 3r.
 
 
 
Poland Jakub Kaszuba UD
 
Italy Maxim Radu 1r.
 
 
Poland Jakub Kaszuba SUB
 
  1. ^ Officially a Unanimous decision victory for Duque, Chizov advanced due to the weight miss by Duque
  2. ^ Chizov missed weight and was replaced by Geysim Derouiche

Bantamweight[edit]

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 
 
 
Italy Francesco Nuzzi KO
 
 
 
Iran Farbod Iran Nezhad 1r.
 
France Moktar Benkaci [a] 3r.
 
 
 
South Africa Frans Mlambo SD
 
South Africa Frans Mlambo MD
 
 
 
Spain Rachid Haz 3r.
 
South Africa Frans Mlambo 2r.
 
 
 
Tajikistan Khurshed Kakhorov TKO
 
France Moktar Benkaci 3r.
 
 
 
Tajikistan Khurshed Kakhorov UD
 
Tajikistan Khurshed Kakhorov UD
 
 
 
Sweden Ali Taleb 3r.
 
Sweden Ali Taleb TKO
 
 
Switzerland Kenji Bortoluzzi 1r.
 
  1. ^ Francesco Nuzzi pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Moktar Benkaci

Women's Flyweight[edit]

 
Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
 
          
 
 
 
 
England Dakota Ditcheva SUB
 
 
 
Sweden Malin Hermansson 1r.
 
England Dakota Ditcheva KO
 
 
 
Sweden Cornelia Holm 3r.
 
Poland Marta Waliczek 3r.
 
 
 
Sweden Cornelia Holm SD
 
England Dakota Ditcheva TKO
 
 
 
Italy Valentina Scatizzi 1r.
 
Germany Lorena Cubero 3r.
 
 
 
Belgium Griet Eeckhout UD
 
Italy Manuela Marconetto [a]
 
 
 
Italy Valentina Scatizzi BYE[b]
 
Italy Valentina Scatizzi SD
 
 
Netherlands Lizzy Gevers 3r.
 
  1. ^ Griet Eeckhout pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Manuela Marconetto
  2. ^ Marconetto missed weight and Scatizzi therefore got a bye to the finals

Playoffs[edit]

2023 PFL Heavyweight playoffs[edit]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 Russia Denis Goltsov SUB
4 United States Jordan Heiderman 1
1 Russia Denis Goltsov 2
2 Brazil Renan Ferreira TKO
2 Brazil Renan Ferreira KO
5 United States Maurice Greene* 1
  • Marcelo Nunes was originally scheduled to face Renan Ferreira but was unable to continue in the tournament. He was replaced by #5 ranked Maurice Greene.


2023 PFL Light Heavyweight playoffs[edit]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 United States Josh Silveira TKO
4 United States Ty Flores 1
1 United States Josh Silveira 5
3 United States Impa Kasanganay UD
2 Norway Marthin Hamlet 1
3 United States Impa Kasanganay KO


2023 PFL Welterweight playoffs[edit]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 Russia Magomed Magomedkerimov UD
5 United States Solomon Renfro* 3
1 Russia Magomed Magomedkerimov SUB
3 Sweden Sadibou Sy 3
2 Brazil Carlos Leal 3
3 Sweden Sadibou Sy SD
  • Magomed Umalatov was originally scheduled to face Magomed Magomedkerimov but was unable to continue in the tournament. He was replaced by #5 ranked Solomon Renfro.


2023 PFL Lightweight playoffs[edit]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 United States Clay Collard UD
4 United States Shane Burgos 3
1 United States Clay Collard 5
2 Canada Olivier Aubin-Mercier UD
2 Canada Olivier Aubin-Mercier TKO
3 Brazil Bruno Miranda 2


2023 PFL Featherweight playoffs[edit]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 United States Bubba Jenkins 2
4 Peru Jesus Pinedo TKO
4 Peru Jesus Pinedo KO
2 Brazil Gabriel Alves Braga 3
2 Brazil Gabriel Alves Braga SD
5 United States Chris Wade* 3
  • Movlid Khaybulaev was originally scheduled to face Gabriel Braga but was unable to continue in the tournament. He was replaced by #5 ranked Chris Wade.


2023 PFL Women's Featherweight playoffs[edit]

Semifinals Finals
      
1 Brazil Larissa Pacheco TKO
4 Ukraine Olena Kolesnyk 1
1 Brazil Larissa Pacheco UD
2 Russia Marina Mokhnatkina 5
2 Russia Marina Mokhnatkina SUB
3 United States Amber Leibrock 1
Legend
(SD)   (Split Decision)
(UD)   (Unanimous Decision)
(MD)   (Majority Decision)
SUB   Submission
(T)KO   (Technical) Knock Out
L   Loss

Standings[edit]

The PFL points system is based on results of the match. The winner of a fight receives 3 points. If the fight ends in a draw, both fighters will receive 1 point. A no-contest will be scored as a draw. The bonus for winning a fight in the first, second, or third round is 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point respectively. The bonus for winning in the third round requires a fight be stopped before 4:59 of the third round. No bonus point will be awarded if a fighter wins via decision. For example, if a fighter wins a fight in the first round, then the fighter will receive 6 total points. A decision win will result in three total points. If a fighter misses weight, the opponent (should they comply with weight limits) will receive 3 points due to a walkover victory, regardless of winning or losing the bout, with the fighter who missed weight being deducted 1 standings point; if the non-offending fighter subsequently wins with a stoppage, all bonus points will be awarded. A fighter who was unable to compete for any reason, will receive a 1-point penalty (-1 point in the standings). The fighters who made weight will not receive a walkover, but will earn points and contracted purse amounts based on their performance in the altered matchup.[22]

Nine PFL fighters were suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after failing drug tests; which included former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos and former PFL heavyweight champion Bruno Cappelozza. Additional fighters impacted by the suspensions are Krzysztof Jotko, Rizvan Kuniev, Mohammed Fakhreddine, Cezar Ferreira, and Will Fleury. Two featherweight season fighters, Alejandro Flores and Daniel Torres, were also suspended. In light of fighter suspensions, they were all removed from the season after the first round of bouts.[23]

Heavyweight[edit]

Fighter Wins Draws Losses 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Points[24]
Russia Denis Goltsov 2 0 0 2 0 0 12
Brazil Renan Ferreira 2 0 0 1 0 0 9[25]
Brazil Marcelo Nunes 1 0 1 1 0 0 6
United States Jordan Heiderman 1 0 0 1 0 0 6
United States Maurice Greene 1 0 1 0 1 0 5
Brazil Matheus Scheffel 1 0 1 0 0 0 3[26]
Brazil Danilo Marques 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Croatia Ante Delija 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Cape Verde Yorgan De Castro 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
United States Patrick Brady 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Light Heavyweight[edit]

Fighter Wins Draws Losses 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Points[27]
United States Josh Silveira 2 0 0 2 0 0 12
Norway Marthin Hamlet 2 0 0 1 0 0 9
United States Impa Kasanganay 1 0 0 0 1 0 5
United States Ty Flores 2 0 0 0 0 0 5
United States Andrew Sanchez 1 0 0 0 0 0 3
Tonga Sam Kei 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Brazil Delan Monte 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
United States Taylor Johnson 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
United States Daniel Spohn 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
United States Tim Caron 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Welterweight[edit]

Fighter Wins Draws Losses 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Points[28]
Russia Magomed Magomedkerimov 2 0 0 2 0 0 12
Brazil Carlos Leal 2 0 0 1 1 0 11
Sweden Sadibou Sy 2 0 0 0 1 1 9
Russia Magomed Umalatov 2 0 0 1 0 0 9
United States Solomon Renfro 1 0 0 0 1 0 5
Mexico Nayib López 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Australia Shane Mitchell 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Germany David Zawada 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Jordan Jarrah Al-Silawi 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Jamaica Dilano Taylor 0 0 2 0 0 0 -1

Lightweight[edit]

Fighter Wins Draws Losses 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Points[29]
United States Clay Collard 2 0 0 0 1 0 8
Canada Olivier Aubin-Mercier 2 0 0 0 0 1 7
Brazil Bruno Miranda 2 0 0 0 0 0 6
United States Shane Burgos 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Brazil Natan Schulte 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Brazil Raush Manfio 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Japan Yamato Nishikawa 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Paraguay Alexander Martinez 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Scotland Stevie Ray 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Canada Anthony Romero 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Featherweight[edit]

Fighter Wins Draws Losses 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Points[30]
United States Bubba Jenkins 2 0 0 1 0 0 9
Brazil Gabriel Alves Braga 2 0 0 1 0 0 9
Russia Movlid Khaybulaev 2 0 0 0 1 0 8
Peru Jesus Pinedo 1 0 1 1 0 0 6
United States Chris Wade 1 0 1 1 0 0 6
England Brendan Loughnane 1 0 1 0 1 0 5
Brazil Marlon Moraes 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Japan Ryoji Kudo 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
United States Tyler Diamond 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
South Korea Sung Bin Jo 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

Women's Featherweight[edit]

Fighter Wins Draws Losses 1st 2nd 3rd Total
Points[31]
Brazil Larissa Pacheco 2 0 0 1 0 0 9
Russia Marina Mokhnatkina 2 0 0 0 1 0 8
United States Amber Leibrock 1 0 1 1 0 0 6
Ukraine Olena Kolesnyk 2 0 0 0 0 0 5
United States Aspen Ladd 1 0 1 0 1 0 5
Canada Julia Budd 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Brazil Evelyn Martins 1 0 1 0 0 0 3
Poland Karolina Sobek 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Japan Yoko Higashi 0 0 2 0 0 0 0
Czech Republic Martina Jindrová 0 0 2 0 0 0 0

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Martin, Damon (2 February 2023). "Brendan Loughnane vs. Marlon Moraes, Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Shane Burgos among fights announced for PFL in 2023". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  2. ^ Okamoto, Brett (2 February 2023). "Loughnane-Moraes to kick off 2023 PFL season". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  3. ^ Nolan King (March 9, 2023). "PFL announces three shows in Atlanta for second half of 2023 season". MMAjunkie.com.
  4. ^ Alexander K. Lee (June 1, 2023). "PFL 2023 Playoffs kick off in San Antonio on Aug. 4". mmafighting.com.
  5. ^ Jay Pettry (June 8, 2023). "PFL Playoffs Shift to New York City for Aug. 18 and Aug. 23 Events". Sherdog.
  6. ^ Tristen Critchfield (August 23, 2023). "2023 PFL Championships to Be Held in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 24". Sherdog.
  7. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2022-01-19). "PFL Challenger Series debuts Feb. 18 on Fubo Sports Network". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  8. ^ Stitt, Anthony. "PFL Challenger Series Gearing Up For Debut, With Undiscovered Talent Set To Get A Big Break". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  9. ^ "PFL Announces "Challenger Series" To Scout Up-And-Coming Talent". MMA News. 2021-12-14. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  10. ^ "Everything you need to know about PFL's Challenger Series". FanSided. 2021-12-09. Retrieved 2022-01-20.
  11. ^ Brian Knapp (2023-02-10). "Abraham Bably nets Professional Fighters League deal on PFL Challenger Series 3". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  12. ^ Tyler Treese (2023-03-17). "Denzel Freeman earns final PFL Challenger Series 2023 contract". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 2023-03-18.
  13. ^ Kirven, J.L. "Light Heavyweight Impa Kasanganay Secures Contract on PFL Challenger Series 7". Sherdog. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  14. ^ Sherdog.com. "Professional Fighters League Signs Thad Jean on Week 1 of PFL Challenger Series". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-01-28.
  15. ^ Fridley, Mike. "Undefeated Lightweight Elvin Espinoza Earns Contract at PFL Challenger Series Week 4". Sherdog. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  16. ^ Wells, Matthew (4 March 2023). "2023 PFL Challenger Series 6 results: Brahyan Zurcher wins featherweight contract with submission win". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  17. ^ Wells, Matthew (4 February 2023). "2023 PFL Challenger Series 2 results: Amanda Leve wins unanimous decision, PFL contract". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  18. ^ "2023 PFL Challenger Series 5 results: Desiree Yanez earns PFL contract with unanimous decision win". MMA Junkie. 2023-02-25. Retrieved 2023-03-03.
  19. ^ "PFL and DAZN announce historic media rights partnership for Europe". Professional Fighters League.
  20. ^ "PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE BOLSTERS GLOBAL EXECUTIVE TEAM WITH JULIA BOYADJIEVA JOINING AS VP OF INTERNATIONAL EVENT OPERATIONS AND GM OF PFL EUROPE". Professional Fighters League.
  21. ^ "PFL CONTINUES GLOBAL EXPANSION WITH LAUNCH OF PFL EUROPE". MMA UK.
  22. ^ "2021 Official Rules" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-05-07.
  23. ^ "Nine PFL fighters suspended, scrambling season". ESPN.com. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  24. ^ The four fighters with most points advance to the playoffs
  25. ^ Received 3 points after PFL 2 result overturned
  26. ^ Received 3 points after PFL 2 result overturned
  27. ^ The four fighters with most points advance to the playoffs
  28. ^ The four fighters with most points advance to the playoffs
  29. ^ The four fighters with most points advance to the playoffs
  30. ^ The four fighters with most points advance to the playoffs
  31. ^ The four fighters with most points advance to the playoffs