LAS VEGAS The Professional Fighters League resumed with their third 2023 PFL regular season event, live from The Theater at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas. The 12-fight card featured the lightweight and welterweight divisions, with statement wins from Magomed Umalatov, Clay Collard, Carlos Leal, Natan Schulte, Bruno Miranda, Raush Manfio, Magomed Magomedkerimov and Sadibou Sy.
The main event of PFL 3 on ESPN featured a highly anticipated matchup between 2022 lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier (18-5) and PFL’s newest star, “Hurricane” Shane Burgos (15-4). In an exciting three-round war, “The Canadian Gangster” proved his mettle, defeating Burgos by unanimous decision, 30-27 across the judges’ scorecards. The statement win gave Aubin-Mercier three points in the lightweight standings as he remains unbeaten in the PFL.
2022 PFL welterweight champion Sy (14-6-2) took on “The Jordanian Lion”, Jarrah Al-Silawi (18-5). Sy displayed stellar striking before landing a knee to the body, followed by thunderous ground-and-pound to score a second-round TKO at the 1:14 mark. With the win, Sy picked up five points in the welterweight standings and improved to 14-6-2.
2018 PFL lightweight champion, Magomedkerimov (31-6) returned to the PFL SmartCage against Ben Egli (14-5). Magomedkerimov came out aggressive, pressuring Egli with a flurry of strikes before landing a head kick that ended the bout at the 1:03 mark of the first round. The quick finish earned the former champion the top spot in the welterweight standings with six points as he improved to 31-6 in his MMA career.
“Tonight, the 2023 PFL regular season continued with action only the PFL can deliver to fight fans across the globe,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Throughout the first half of the 2023 PFL regular season, our fighters across six divisions showcased unmatched passion and athleticism in their quests for PFL playoff berths. I’m excited for the second half of our regular season as we get set for Atlanta.”
“The first half of the PFL regular season saw our fighters leave it all in the PFL SmartCage,” said PFL president Ray Sefo. “Through three regular season events, we have seen champions continue their momentum and up-and-coming fighters take crucial steps towards the PFL playoffs.”
2021 PFL lightweight champion Manfio (17-4) and two-time PFL lightweight semifinalist Alexander Martinez (10-4) clashed in a contest featuring two seasoned competitors. Relying on his takedowns, Manfio edged Martinez by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, and the victory awarded Manfio three points in the lightweight standings.
Two PFL regular season newcomers, Shane Mitchell (13-5) and Nayib Lopez (16-0), matched up in a welterweight affair. Lopez put on a standout performance, as he was able to dominate the striking and take Mitchell down at will for a unanimous decision victory, 29-27 on all the judges’ scorecards. Lopez picked up three points in the welterweight standings and remains undefeated at 16-0.
In lightweight action, 2022 PFL Challenger Series contract winner Miranda (15-3) took on Ahmed Amir (12-4-1), the first Egyptian-born fighter to compete in the PFL regular season. Miranda dictated the pace with his striking, which was enough to earn a unanimous decision win, 30-27 across all the judges’ scorecards. Miranda earned three points with the victory.
Closing out the ESPN card was an intriguing lightweight bout featuring two-time PFL lightweight champion Schulte (24-5-1) and 2022 lightweight runner-up Stevie “Braveheart” Ray (25-12). Schulte showed championship form as he outgrappled Ray to pick up a unanimous decision victory, 30-27 on all the judges’ scorecards. With the win, Schulte earned three points and moved to 24-5-1 in his MMA career.
The first lightweight division matchup of the 2023 regular season saw 2021 PFL semifinalist Collard (22-10) square off with former Shooto Lightweight Champion, Yamato Nishikawa (21-4-6). Collard and Nishikawa went back-and-forth for three rounds, with Collard winning by unanimous decision. Collard earned three points in the lightweight standings and improved to 22-10 with 1 no contest.
Continued welterweight action saw 2022 PFL welterweight semifinalist Leal (18-4) face off against PFL newcomer David Zawada (18-8). Leal got off to a sizzling regular season start, defeating Zawada by first-round TKO, with the stoppage coming at the 2:25 mark of the opening round. Leal’s performance earned him six points and improved his record to 18-4.
The first welterweight regular season bout of 2023 between Dilano Taylor (10-4) and Umalatov kicked off the PFL 3 card on ESPN. Umalatov rocked Taylor with a well-timed right hand to the jaw before swarming him with punches en route to a first-round finish. Umalatov picked up six points and remains undefeated in his 13-fight MMA career.
In a welterweight showcase bout, Zach Juusola (14-9), a 2023 PFL Challenger Series winner, opposed Brandon Jenkins (16-10), who returned to the PFL after a successful debut in 2021. Juusola continued his impressive run in the PFL, outworking Jenkins to win by unanimous decision, 29-28, 29-28, 29-27. Juusola improved his record to 14-9 in his MMA career.
The second half of the 2023 PFL action will return on Thursday, June 8 at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia with featherweight and light heavyweight action. 2022 PFL featherweight champion Brendan Loughnane looks to continue his winning ways, while light heavyweight contenders Marthin Hamlet and Josh Silveira seek another first-round finish en route to a 2023 PFL playoff berth.
All PFL 2023 season events are live in primetime on ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes, as well as on a wide and diverse group of premier global distribution partner platforms reaching 160 countries around the world.
