PFL Challenger 1: Betting Picks & Analysis for this Week’s Fights in Regular Season

It is a great time to be a follower of the PFL. As they are delivering events on a regular basis at the moment. We just got done with the Challenger Series before heading over the pond for PFL Europe. It’s all great stuff, but we have more important business to take care of this weekend, with the new PFL regular season getting underway on Saturday. There is no UFC action this weekend, so this event serves as the perfect fill-in for fans looking to watch and wager on MMA over the weekend. While the PFL usually focuses on one weight division each week, there are a couple on display on the 5-fight main card this Saturday night. Let’s take a look and make some PFL betting predictions as we go.

2023 PFL Regular Season: Featherweights & Light Heavyweights

When: Saturday at 6 PM EST
Where: Universal Studios, Orlando, FL
TV / Streaming: fuboTV

Chris Wade Vs Bubba Jenkins

We get the evening rolling with a Featherweight bout and the man who was runner-up in this division last year. That would be Bubba Jenkins, who comes into this fight with a 19-6 record, which includes a 5-2 run in the PFL. Wade is 22-8 overall and has been somewhat unpredictable in his time with the PFL, going 10-5 through 15 fights. This is a good fight to get things rolling and I think it will be Wade that edges it.

Bet Chris Wade Vs Bubba Jenkins to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Movlid Khaybulaev Vs Ryoji Kudo

We have another Featherweight bout up next, with this one featuring a pair of fighters heading in very different directions. Khaybulaev is an impressive 19-0-1 (5-0-1 in the PFL) and will be looking to get out to a fast start against a fighter who has been struggling of late. Kudo is 11-4-1, but 3 of his losses have come in his last 4 fights. This is on that Khaybulaev should win without too much trouble.

Bet Movlid Khaybulaev Vs Ryoji Kudo to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Krzystof Jotko Vs Will Fleury

Next up is a Light Heavyweight bout, although Jotko is more commonly seen fighting as a Middleweight. He comes in with a 24-6 record, although he is just 2-2 in his last 4 fights, he does, though, bring in a ton of UFC experience. That could be bad news for Fleury, although he is in good form, coming into this bout on a 4-fight win streak. The experience Jotko has should serve him well, and I like him to get the win here.

Bet Krzystof Jotko Vs Will Fleury to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Rob Wilkinson Vs Thiago Santos

We have a fantastic Light Heavyweight bout in as the co-main event for this one, although Santos comes in looking to snap out of a slump. He has a 22-11 record overall, but he has lost 2 in a row and 4 of his last 5. No such issues for Wilkinson, who comes on with UFC experience and a run that has seen him now win 6 in a row, which includes going unbeaten in the PFL. I think he keeps that streak alive with the KO win.

Bet Rob Wilkinson Vs Thiago Santos to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Brendan Loughnane Vs Marlon Moraes

We close the night out with a Featherweight bout that features the defending champion in the weight class. Loughnane won it all last year and is now an impressive 8-1 when fighting in the PFL. He looks like the favorite again this time around. Moraes lost his place in the UFC after losing 4 in a row, which he followed up with a loss on his lone fight with the PFL. I believe that losing streak will continue here.

Bet Brendan Loughnane Vs Marlon Moraes to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight