PFL’s new Challenger Series, which will provide prospects an opportunity to fight their way into upcoming PFL seasons, is set to debut in February.
PFL officials today announced that the debut event will stream live exclusively on fuboTV and the Fubo Sports Network on Friday, Feb. 18, with subsequent events in the opening run to last into April.
According to the promotion, the PFL Challenger Series “takes the competition format familiar to MMA fans and makes it more exciting and modern with the innovative, disruptive approach PFL is known for.”
“fuboTV provides sports fans an innovative viewing experience, and PFL could not be more excited to launch our new PFL Challenger Series exclusively on their platform,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said. “The PFL Challenger Series will be the most unique live fight show showcasing the MMA stars of tomorrow, and I’m confident it quickly will become buzzworthy viewing.”
While the exact format for the show, including the number of fights each week and how contract winners will be selected, has yet to be revealed, the promotion did provide some details on the plans.
Judges:
Each week will be a must-watch event to see who joins the judging panel, bringing combat sports champions, major celebrities from music and entertainment, and global influencers. Confirmed judges to appear this season of the PFL Challenger Series on fubo include Mike Tyson, Ray Lewis and Todd Gurley.Fan Vote:
The PFL Challenger Series fan vote will give MMA fans a seat at the judges’ table.Games:
Viewers can also interact with the live competition through fuboTV’s popular predictive, free-to-play games. fuboTV recently launched free games alongside select sports streaming on fuboTV and Fubo Sports Network, giving viewers the opportunity to answer predictive questions about the action on screen.Betting:
Fubo Sportsbook will be the exclusive gambling sponsor of the PFL Challenger Series. Fubo Sportsbook launched in November in Iowa and will launch in additional states pending the requisite regulatory approvals.
“PFL Challenger Series is not your father’s contender series,” PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis stated. “Winners of the PFL Challenger Series can become a real-world Rocky story, going from an unknown pro to world champion holding a $1 million check in the same year.”