Grappling Ace Lucas Barbosa Among Welterweights Set for PFL Challenger Series

Brazilian jiu-jitsu standout Lucas Barbosa will head a field of eight welterweights vying for a Professional Fighters League contract next year.

The organization announced on Wednesday the welterweight lineup for the first PFL Challenger Series event on Jan. 27. Barbosa will square off against Itso Babulaidze in the card’s featured bout. The PFL Challenger Series airs on FuboTV on Friday nights, and contract winners are selected by a judging panel comprised of combat sports notables and other celebrity guests.

“The 2023 PFL Challenger Series provides world class talent a path to the PFL,” said PFL president of fighter operations Ray Sefo in a release. “The Challenger Series continues the PFL’s commitment to finding the best talent in MMA around the world.”

Three other 170-pound bouts were also confirmed for the event: Cage Fury Fighting Championships welterweight title holder Eric Alequin vs. undefeated Combate Global and Legacy Fighting Alliance veteran Thad Jean; Jungle Fights champion Quemuel Ottoni vs. 18-fight veteran Jozef Wittner; and Saudi Arabian judoka Mostafa Rashed Neda vs. one-time Bellator competitor Nick Alley.

Barbosa was slated to make his promotional debut at PFL 7 earlier this year before opponent Elmar Umarov withdrew from the bout due to illness. The man known as “Hulk” owns a 2-1 mark in professional MMA, with his last recorded bout taking place in 2012. Barbosa is best known as an IBJFF World Champion who trains at Atos Jiu-Jitsu under Andre Galvao .

Babulaidze made his PFL debut at the organization’s playoff event on Aug. 5, when he defeated Mahmoud Sebie Fawzy via first-round technical knockout. The New York native has competed primarily for CFFC, including his pro debut and multiple amateur bouts.