The PFL’s Challenger Series returned for the sixth week of 2023, with athletes gunning for a PFL contract that could either serve as a developmental deal or earn them a spot directing into the regular season to compete for its $1 million prize.
2023 PFL Challenger Series 6 took place Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla., and aired live on fubo Sports Network. The event featured four featherweight bouts.
In the first fight of the night, James Gonzalez ground and pounded Vikas Singh Ruhil in the first round for a TKO stoppage. Next, Gabriel Braga recorded a range of scores from the judges in a unanimous decision nod over Ago Huskic.
A pair of submissions led to the end of the final two bouts of the evening. Nathan Kelly tapped Zachary Hicks in the first round with an arm triangle, and Brahyan Zurcher slapped on a rear-naked choke in the second round to finish David Evans.
The four winners were narrowed down to Kelly and Zurcher before going to the votes by fans and a celebrity panel to determine who would walk away with a PFL contract.
The celebrity panel this week consisted of UFC veterans Tyron Woodley, Megan Anderson, and Tim Kennedy. The panel, along with the fans, chose Zurcher as the featherweight contract winner.
Judges Vote: Zurcher
Fan Vote: ZurcherBrahyan Zurcher gets the PFL Contract! Congratulations @zurcher123 #PFLonFubo pic.twitter.com/9ymNF8GwQq
— PFL (@PFLMMA) March 4, 2023
Official results for 2023 PFL Challenger Series 6 include:
- Brahyan Zurcher def. David Evans via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 1:37
- Nathan Kelly def. Zachary Hicks via submission (arm triangle) – Round 1, 2:30
- Gabriel Braga def. Ago Huskic via unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 29-28)
- James Gonzalez def. Vikas Singh Ruhil via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:20
