Welcome to PWInsiderXtra’s live coverage of PFL Challenger Series 2023, Week 6, which is taking place live from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida with Brahyan Zurcher and David Evans headlining.
Here is the full card for tonight’s event:
The PFL Contract Is Awarded To: Brahyan Zurcher
Brahyan Zurcher def. David Evans by submission via rear naked choke (1:37, R2)
Nathan Kelly def. Zachary Hicks by submission via arm triangle choke (2:30, R1)
Gabriel Braga def. Ago Huskic by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 29-28)
James Gonzalez def. Vikas Singh Ruhil by TKO via strikes (4:20, R1)
Round By Round Coverage
Brahyan Zurcher vs. David Evans
Round One: The round begins with Zurcher attacking Evans by landing leg kicks, Zurcher accidentally kicks Evans low and the fight is halted. The action resumes with the fighters swinging away at each other, Evans cracks a swinging Zurcher with a counter right. Zurcher backs Evans into the fence after landing a multiple strike combination, Zurcher lands multiple kicks to the midsection of Evans. Zurcher rocks Evans after landing a left hook to the top of the head, Zurcher continues lighting Evans up with combinations. Zurcher starts throwing some high kicks and Evans blocks them, Zurcher scores a takedown on Evans and he gets the open guard. Zurcher advances to the half guard position against Evans, Zurcher transitions to back control on Evans as the round ends.
PWInsiderXtra scores the round 10-9 for Zurcher
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Zurcher goes back to landing leg kicks on Evans. Zurcher also goes back to attacking the midsection of Evans with a variety of strikes, Zurcher scores a takedown on a swinging Evans and he gets side control. Zurcher transitions to back control on Evans and he catches him in a rear naked choke to force a tap out.
Official Result: Brahyan Zurcher def. David Evans by submission via rear naked choke (1:37, R2)
Nathan Kelly vs. Zachary Hicks
Round One: The round begins with Hicks taking a few swings at Kelly, Hicks grabs Kelly and he backs him into the fence. The fighters stay in the clinch while exchanging some strikes, Kelly scores a takedown on Hicks and he gets side control. Kelly transitions to the full mount position against Hicks, Kelly catches Hicks in an arm triangle choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Nathan Kelly def. Zachary Hicks by submission via arm triangle choke (2:30, R1)
Ago Huskic vs. Gabriel Braga
Round One: The round begins with Huskic trying to land a right on Braga, Huskic and Braga get into a few striking exchanges. Huskic scores a takedown on Braga and Braga gets right back up, the fighters clinch and exchange some strikes. Braga scores a takedown on Huskic and he gets the open guard, Braga lands some ground and pound on Huskic. Braga advances to the full mount on Huskic while landing more strikes, Huskic scrambles and Braga gets back control on him. Braga looks for a rear naked choke and Huskic defends against it, Braga attacks Huskic with more ground and pound. Braga regains the full mount while landing ground and pound on Huskic until the round ends.
PWInsiderXtra scores the round 10-9 for Braga
Round Two: The round begins with Huskic taking a few swings at Braga, Braga starts landing some leg kicks on Huskic. Braga cracks a swinging Huskic with a counter left hook, Braga then lands a few shots to the midsection of Huskic. Braga follows up by kicking Huskic in the midsection, Huskic accidentally hits Braga low and the fight is halted. The action resumes with the fighters trading strikes in the middle of the cage, Braga backs Huskic towards the fence while they swing away at each other. Huskic continues landing combinations on an advancing Braga, Huskic backs a kicking Braga into the fence. Braga scores a takedown on Huskic and he gets side control, Braga lands some ground and pound against Huskic. Braga accidentally nails Huskic low and the fight is halted, the action resumes with Braga attacking Huskic with a jump knee strike. Huskic charges at Braga while swinging away at him as the round ends.
PWInsiderXtra scores the round 10-9 for Braga (Overall Score: 20-18 for Braga)
Round Three: The round begins with Braga landing a few counter strikes on a swinging Huskic, Huskic nails Braga with a kick to the midsection. Huskic charges forward while swinging away against Braga, Braga scores a takedown on Huskic and he gets the half guard. Braga transitions to the side control position against Huskic, Braga attacks Huskic with some ground and pound as he is put in the half guard. Braga transitions to the full mount on Huskic while landing more strikes, Huskic eventually gets Braga in his half guard while eating more strikes. Braga regains side control while landing more strikes on Huskic, Huskic scrambles to his feet and Braga gets him right back down while gaining the full mount. Braga lands more shots on Huskic as the round ends.
PWInsiderXtra scores the round 10-9 for Braga (Final Score: 30-27 for Braga)
Official Result: Gabriel Braga def. Ago Huskic by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 29-28)
Vikas Singh Ruhil vs. James Gonzalez
Round One: The round begins with Gonzalez attacking Ruhil by throwing a variety of kicks, Gonzalez starts landing leg kicks on Ruhil. Ruhil comes forward and he takes a few swings at Gonzalez, Ruhil looks for a takedown and Gonzalez defends by landing a knee strike. Gonzalez blitzes Ruhil and he lands a few strikes, Ruhil backs Gonzalez into the fence while swinging away at him. Gonzalez avoids a takedown attempt from Ruhil before landing a multiple strike combo, Ruhil rocks Gonzalez after landing a three punch combo. Gonzalez recovers and he drops a swinging Ruhil with a counter right, Gonzalez gains the full mount on Ruhil while landing ground and pound. Gonzalez lands more ground and pound until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: James Gonzalez def. Vikas Singh Ruhil by TKO via strikes (4:20, R1)