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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)
