The Professional Fighters League
returns to action on Friday, and the PFL Challenger Series 5 continues at Universal
Studios, where the Lightweight Division offers exciting nights of action.
Brazil's standout Bruno Miranda
topped the four-fight card, a proven finisher who won four fights as of Friday
night. In the main event, Brazilian Tiger Muay Thai product Bruno Miranda
returned after a gap of almost three years to face former BFL lightweight title
challenger Carson Frei. Has a record of 13-3 overall. He went on to win four
fights.
With three finals in this stretch.
Frei, meanwhile, returned from the recent Dana White Contender Series rival
Achilles Estremadura with a win against Weston Wilson last year after losing
the aforementioned title fight in 2019.
Miranda defeated Carson Frei by
technical knockout, the ninth knockout victory of his career in his American
MMA debut. Miranda punished Frei with hard, clean shots throughout the fight, and
eventually won the third round. The Brazilian now has a career record of 14-3.
Judges Randy Couture, vitor Belfort
and Lolo Jones approved Miranda, while fans voted for Demir Ferhatbegovic.
Finally, Ray Seifo, PFL President of Fighter Operations, agreed with the
celebrity panel and Miranda became the sixth Challenger Series fighter to win
the PFL contract. They include Week 4 welterweight Boston salmon, Week 3
women's lightweight fighter Martina Jandrova, Week 2 welterweight fighters
Jarrah Al Silawi and Chris Maxon, as well as Week 1 light heavyweight champion
Bruce Soto.
In the co-main event, Fehatbegovic
wasted some time, knocking out BJ Bland in the first round. The "Bosnian
Barn Cat" dedicates each of her battles to her parents, who fled war-torn
Bosnia when Damir was just seven years old. Ferhatbegovic is now 6-2-1 overall
and has won for the second time in a row by knockout.
“The Professional Fighters League
Challenger Series continues to provide fans the best action in MMA,” said Peter
Murray, PFL CEO. “Nothing in professional sports can compare to an athlete
fighting for their dream. Tonight, Bruno your dream comes true, welcome to the
PFL.”
“The action of the PFL Challenger
Series is unrivaled,” said Ray Sefo, President of Fighter Operations. “MMA fans
have witnessed five weeks of amazing action from elite athletes, each with the
hope of securing a life-changing opportunity. Congratulations to Bruno Miranda,
you earned your PFL contract.”
PFL Challenger
Series 5 Results
Bruno Miranda def. Carson Frei by
3rd round TKO (1:20)
Damir Ferhatbegovic def. BJ Bland by
1st round KO (2:19)
Michael Dufort def. Arut Pogosjan by
2nd round submission (4:02)
Yanal Ashmouz def. Dennis Hughes by
unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)