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The 2022 PFL season ended just a couple of months ago, but this is an organization that is very much on the rise. With that in mind, this weekend will see the start of the PFL Challenger Series, which will have 56 fighters battling it out for a PFL contract. Fans and celebrity judges will make a weekly decision on which fighter deserves that contract, so we can expect to see some great action as those brawlers look to move on up. The competition will run for 8 weeks and will include a second chance event for those fighters that caught the eye but failed to secure a contract. It all begins on Friday night at 9 PM EST, with all the action available on FuboTV. Week 1 is for the Welterweights, with 8 fighters set to go at it, so let’s take a closer look at those bouts along with PFL Betting picks.

MMA Betting Preview and Picks for the 2023 PFL Week 1 Bouts

Mostafa Rashed Neda Vs Nick Alley

Given that this event is for up-and-coming fighters, we are not going to be seeing many guys with a ton of pro experience. These two have been around a bit, though, with Neda coming into this one with a 7-3 record and a run that has seen him win each of his last 3 fights. Alley is 7-5 overall, but he is heading in the wrong direction, losing 2 in a row ahead of this one. I think Neda has all the momentum here and I like him for the KO win.

Jozef Wittner Vs Zach Juusola

Again, we have two pretty experienced fighters going toe-to-toe here, and again, we have a pair of guys heading in opposite directions. Wittner has amassed a 16-2 record in his time as a pro and comes into this one on a 4-fight winning streak. On the flipside, Juusola has been struggling of late, losing 2 in a row and 4 of his last 5 to fall to 12-9. This should be a straightforward KO win for Wittner.

Eric Alequin Vs Thad Jean

The co-main event of the evening features a pair of fighters who are still early on their pro careers but making a big impact. Alequin has won all 7 of his fights as a pro, but he frequently needs to go the distance to do it. Jean is not quite as experienced, but is still a very solid 4-0, with 3 of those wins coming in the early rounds. I like this one to go the distance, with Jean getting the nod.

Lucas Barbosa Vs Itso Babulaidze

We close the night out with two of the most inexperienced pro fighters on the card. Barbosa got off to a rough start as a pro, losing his opening fight, but he has since bounced back and put together 2 straight wins. Babulaidze has yet to lose, winning both of his pro fights, with both victories coming in the opening round. I don’t think we see this one go the distance, as I like Babulaidze to come out and get the KO win in the early rounds.

I have read enough, I need to place my bet now. What to do?