The second half of the 2023 regular season will start on June 8 in Atlanta, Georgia at Overtime Elite Arena, live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+, according to a March 9 announcement from the Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league. The PFL Regular Season follows a real sports season pattern, with top fighters from around the globe competing in a Regular Season, Playoffs, and Championship, with a $1 million award for the champion in each of the six weight divisions.
On June 8, June 16, and June 23, the league’s six weight categories will host the final three events of the regular season as fighters attempt to secure berths in the 2023 PFL Playoffs.
In April, tickets for the second half of the PFL Regular Season in 2023 will be available for purchase.
According to their announcement, “The Professional Fighters League is thrilled to be returning to Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, for the second half of the 2023 PFL Regular Season,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “After three action-packed events in our 2022 Regular Season, our world-class fighters will be back for one more shot to punch their ticket to the 2023 Playoffs live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+, with global distribution to 160 countries.”
Brendan Loughnane and Rob Wilkinson, the 2022 PFL World Champions, will compete in the Featherweight and Light Heavyweight divisions at the first of three consecutive PFL Regular Season events, PFL 4, which will be held at The Elite Arena on Thursday, June 8.
The Heavyweight and Women’s Featherweight divisions will be in action at PFL 5 on Friday, June 16. The Lightweight and Welterweight classes make a triumphant return on June 23 at PFL 6.
PFL is the second-largest MMA business globally and the MMA organization with the quickest growth rate. The PFL is the only league in MMA that uses a sports-season model, where each fighter competes in a meritocratic “win and progress” system similar to that of all other major sports. The PFL fighter roster is international and of the highest calibre, with athletes from more than 20 different nations, 25% of whom are independently ranked in the top 25. PFL is a leader in technology and innovation, and its in-house PFL SmartCage powers in-game betting and next-generation viewing. PFL is broadcast live in primetime in the United States on ESPN and ESPN+ and in 140 countries through 25 top broadcast and online partners.
KENDLY ST. LOUIS VS. PAULO LAIA
Some of the most intriguing MMA fighters have a second shot to prove themselves and get a PFL contract.
Those who have already competed are given a second chance to win a PFL contract during the last week of this year’s PFL Challenger Series.
The lightweight fight between Paulo “Laia” Henrique and Kendly St. Louis is the main event of Friday’s card.
Before St. Louis takes on Laia, here is everything you need to know.
Date and time of the St. Louis vs. Laia fight: Friday, March 17, 2019
Time: 2 in the morning GMT/10 p.m. ET. Cagewalks for the main event begin around 4 a.m. GMT/12.
The main event cagewalks are scheduled for 12 a.m. ET / 4 a.m. GMT, with the event beginning at 10 p.m. ET / 2 a.m. GMT. The duration of the fights on the undercard may cause these timings to shift.
ST. LOUIS VS. LAIA FIGHT CARD
- Kendly St. Louis vs. Paulo ‘Laia’ Henrique; Lightweight
- Jackie Cataline vs. Evelyn Martins; Women’s featherweight
- Denzel Freeman vs. Raiden Kovacs; Heavyweight
- Quemuel Ottoni vs. Chris Brown; Welterweight