The Professional Fighters League wrapped up its 2023 season at the PFL Championship on Friday, November 24 at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. — with six title fights, the return of Kayla Harrison, the debut of Derek Brunson, and more on the card.
Headlining the show, Canadian lightweight Olivier Aubin-Mercier looked to secure back-to-back championships when he faced off with the hard-hitting Clay Collard. For Collard, it was his first crack at PFL gold; OAM, undefeated since exiting the UFC several years back, had openly spoken to taking an extended layoff or even retiring following the fight.
With six title fights, the 2023 PFL Championship card was not low on storylines. Sadibou Sy was also looking to repeat as champ at welterweight, against another former champion in Magomed Magomedkerimov.
Former welterweight champ Ray Cooper III, meanwhile, was set to return for the first time in over a year when he took on Derek Brunson in a middleweight scrap. Or catchweight, more accurately, as despite moving up 15lbs, Cooper missed weight for the bout.
Also returning from an extended layoff was Kayla Harrison, who had not fought since her loss to Larissa Pacheco in last year’s women’s lightweight final. Pacheco was the odds-on favorite to win the 2023 women’s featherweight tournament, while Harrison had missed the season but had numerous opportunities ahead with the PFL having purchased Bellator MMA — home to the biggest names in the division.
The much-anticipated rubber match between Bubba Jenkins and Chris Wade, meanwhile, was cancelled due to Wade missing weight, and Jenkins declining a catchweight bout. Instead, he’ll serve as a backup for the featherweight final.
Where to Watch the 2023 PFL Championship
The 2023 PFL Championship airs exclusively on PPV in the U.S., and can be purchased via ESPN+. Prelims get underway at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN+, the main card goes live at 8:00 PM ET. Full results can be found below.
2023 PFL Championship Results
Main Card
Olivier Aubin-Mercier def. Clay Collard by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) — lightweight title fight
Renan Ferreira def. Denis Goltsov by TKO, Round 2, 0:26 — heavyweight title fight
Larissa Pacheco def. Marina Mokhnatkina by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) — women’s lightweight title fight
Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Sadibou Sy by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3, 1:17 — welterweight title fight
Impa Kasanganay def. Joshua Silveira by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) — light heavyweight title fight
Kayla Harrison def. Aspen Ladd by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Derek Brunson def. Ray Cooper III by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-25, 30-25)
Preliminary Card
Jesus Pinedo def. Gabriel Braga by TKO, Round 3, 0:58 — featherweight title fight
Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Joel Lopez by KO, Round 2, 1:24 — amateur bout
Phil Caracappa def. Khai Wu by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Jesse Stirn def. Josh Blyden by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
