PFL Challenger Series: Week 3 Betting Picks & Analysis for this Weekend's Fights

The PFL season is set to roll on, with all the fighters still having their eyes on the $1 million prize up for grabs in each weight class. We are heading into Week 3 of the regular season schedule, with 5 fights set to go on the main card. There are a couple of different weight classes on display on Friday night, with the winners of these bouts set to take a massive step toward the playoffs. If you are not aware of how the PFL works, the winners get automatic points for the win, with bonus points awarded for how quickly they get the job done. With those extra points up for grabs, we very often see fighters go all out to get the win quickly, so be ready for some brawls. Let’s now take a moment to break down each bout, with PFL betting predictions for each.

2023 PFL Regular Season: Welterweights & Lightweights

When: Friday 14 at 7:00 PM EST
Where: The Theather at Virgin Hotels, Las Vegas, NV
TV / Streaming: ESPN+

Magomed Umalatov (-454) Vs Dilano Taylor (+268)

We get the evening started with a Welterweight bout and one that looks to be a little one-sided. Umalatov comes into this one with a perfect 12-0 record, which helps explain why he is such a heavy favorite. Taylor has a respectable 10-3 record, but he has had 2 losses in his last 3 fights. Umalatov should get this over with quickly via the KO win.

Bet Magomed Umalatov Vs Dilano Taylor to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Carlos Leal (-217) Vs David Zawada (+147)

It’s another Welterweight bout up next, with this one looking to be a bit more evenly matched. Leal is coming off a loss, with that one in the playoffs in the last PFL season, but he had won 11 in a row prior to that and is 3-1 in the PFL. Zawada has been picking up losses of late, but it should be noted that those came in the UFC. This one might go all the way, with Leal getting the nod.

Bet Carlos Leal Vs David Zawada to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Denis Goltsov (-769) Vs Patrick Brady (+397)

The Heavyweights are in the octagon next, with an experienced fighter going against a relative newbie. Goltsov is 29-7 overall and has been very tough to beat in the PFL, going 7-2 there, plus he has won 4 of his last 5. Brady comes into this one with a perfect 5-0 record, but this certainly feels like a step up in class. Goltsov should get this one over with rather quickly.

Bet Denis Goltsov Vs Patrick Brady to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Clay Collard (-294) Vs Yamato Nishikawa (+191)

It’s back to the Welterweights for the co-main event of the night, which looks like another good one. Collard is 21-10 overall, but he has had some issues of late, losing 2 of his last 3 fights. No such issues for Nishikawa, who is 21-3-6 overall and the winner of 9 in a row, although this is a step up in class. I like Collard here, but he might need to go the distance to get it.

Bet Clay Collard Vs Yamato Nishikawa to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight

Olivier Aubin-Mercier (-111) Vs Shane Burgos (-129)

It makes sense that the main event of the evening also looks to be the most evenly matched in the Lightweight class. Aubin-Mercier is 17-5 overall and has UFC experience under his belt, as well as a perfect 6-0 record in the PFL. At 15-3, which includes an 8-3 record in the UFC, Burgos is certainly no slouch, so this one should be a great fight. I am giving the slight edge to Aubin-Mercier by decision.

Bet Olivier Aubin-Mercier Vs Shane Burgos to Win Today
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Fight