Top Saudi Arabian Welterweight Joins International Cast For 2023 PFL Challenger Series

A cast of up-and-coming talents from all over the globe will be making up the roster of fighters for the 2023 PFL Challenger Series, including the likes of Saudi's Mostafa Rashed Neda, Brazil's Quemuel Ottoni and many others.

Perhaps the most recognized mixed martial artist to come out of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the 34-year-old Neda comes to PFL with a 7-3 professional record and a three-fight winning streak.

The heavy-handed striker out of Jeddah has won four of his seven wins by way of knockout and has competed in BRAVE CF and UAE Warriors, two of the Middle East's biggest promotions.

A former light heavyweight competitor, Neda will be dropping down to welterweight in his PFL Challenger Series debut as he faces American Nick Alley.

The first and only man to defeat reigning UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira in MMA, Sao Paulo's Ottoni also heads to the PFL Challenger Series with the hopes of earning a spot on the league's regular-season roster.

Currently riding a five-fight winning streak, Ottoni is the reigning Jungle Fight welterweight champion, having captured the title back in May.

He boasts a record of 12 wins and three losses, with eight of those victories coming by knockout.

Ottoni makes his PFL debut against Slovakia's Jozef Wittner, a submission specialist with a record of 16 wins and two defeats.

Of Wittner's 16 wins, 11 have come by way of stoppage, with eight submissions and three knockouts.

Also representing Brazil in the PFL Challenger Series will be grappling sensation Lucas Barbosa, who returns to MMA for the first time since 2012.

Barbosa owns a 2-1 win-loss slate, but his submission grappling resume is a lot more prolific, with wins over the likes of Gilbert Burns, Vagner Rocha, Leandro Lara and Rafael Lovato Jr.

Barbosa will take on undefeated Georgian Itso Babulaidze, who was impressive in his PFL debut earlier this year.

Rounding out the first batch of bouts for the 2023 PFL Challenger Series will be Eric Alequin taking on Thad "Jean in a battle of undefeated prospects.

Undefeated in seven professional bouts, Florida's Alequin is the current reigning Cage Fury FC welterweight champion.

Jean, meanwhile, possesses a perfect 4-0 standing, with three of his wins coming by way of stoppage.

Moreover, Jean holds a TKO victory over PFL Challenger Series contract winner and 2022 welterweight runner-up Dilano Taylor.

The PFL Challenger Series begins on January 27.