The Professional Fighters League Challenger Series resumed action tonight from Universal Studios in a Heavyweight division showcase, with Adam Keresh earning a PFL contract. Judges Randy Couture, Vitor Belfort, and Lolo Jones were in agreement with the fans, and gave the nod to Keresh, who became the seventh Challenger Series fighter to receive a PFL contract.
He joins Week 5 Lightweight Bruno Miranda, Week 4 Welterweight Boston Salmon, Week 3 Women’s Lightweight fighter Martina Jindrova, Week 2 Welterweight fighters Jarrah Al-Silawi and Chris Mixan, as well as Week 1 Light Heavyweight winner Bruce Souto.
In his U.S. debut, Keresh made quick work of Chad Johnson in the SmartCage with a 1st round TKO. The Tel-Aviv native kept his record perfect at 5-0, with all five of his wins coming by way of knockout.
In the evening's main event, Marcelo Nunes defeated Bevon Lewis via second round submission. Nunes, who had some trouble in the first round fought back valiantly in the second to secure his 8th career victory, his third as a Heavyweight. Nunes, a Brazilian jiu jitsu black belt, won a masters BJJ world title in 2018.
The co-main event saw Giacomo Lemos TKO Billy Swanson in the second round of his U.S. debut. Lemos remains undefeated with a record of 8-0, and six of those wins coming via knockout. Fighting runs in Lemos’ blood, his father is a judo master who met his mother while coaching. She competed while 2 months pregnant with Giacomo and won a National Championship.
Kicking off the Heavyweight action on fuboTV, Daiqwon Buckley faced off against Jon Cunningham. Buckley, a former police officer, defeated Cunningham by 2nd round TKO, his first pro knockout. The result moved his overall record to 2-0 since his 2021 professional debut.
“The Professional Fighters League Challenger Series continues to disrupt the landscape of MMA,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “The PFL delivers fast paced action with the highest of stakes. Adam Keresh, welcome to the PFL.”
“The Heavyweights brought hard hitting action to the PFL Challenger Series,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations. “The PFL is a league of merit, giving deserving fighters the opportunity to earn a life-changing PFL contract. Congratulations to Adam, you earned your PFL contract.”
The PFL Challenger Series returns to Universal Studios next Friday night, April 1, with a card featuring top athletes making their professional MMA debuts. Headlining the card is a Welterweight bout with Andrija Stankovic from Serbia taking on American Louis Brewington. The five-bout card includes matchups in the Featherweight, Lightweight, Heavyweight and Welterweight divisions with each fighter given a shot to earn a contract to the 2022 PFL Regular Season.
OFFICIAL 2022 PFL CHALLENGER SERIES WEEK 6 RESULTS
fuboTV Card
Marcelo Nunes def. Bevon Lewis by 2nd round submission (2:39)
Giacomo Lemos def. Billy Swanson by 2nd round TKO (0:33)
Adam Keresh def. Chad Johnson by 1st round TKO (3:34)
Daiqwon Buckley def. Jon Cunningham by 2nd round TKO (1:46) (PR)