Professional Fighters League (PFL) launches International Qualifier Series in Russia live on ESPN+

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the first organization ever to present MMA through a Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship format, launched the PFL International Qualifier Series in Russia at RCC Arena. In partnership with Russian Cagefighting Championship, four lightweight fighters competed in a fight twice in one-night tournament, with the winner earning a coveted spot in the 2020 PFL season.

The IQS lightweight tournament from Russia is now available on ESPN+, tune in to see who survived and advanced to the 2020 PFL season.

The PFL International Qualifier Series lightweight tournament featured local favorite Timur Nagibin (15-4-0, 1 NC), coming off a TKO victory over former UFC fighter Mike Santiago. Nagibin faced Muratbek Kasimbay in the semifinals. Kasimbay had won four-straight fights leading into the showdown, all by stoppage, three of which came in the first-round.

On the other side of the bracket, former World Warriors Fighting Championship lightweight title holder Mikhail Odintsov (16-2) entered the tournament on a five-fight win streak, four by early stoppage. His opponent, Svyatoslav Shabano, entered with a 17-6-1 record.

The International Qualifier Series takes place February through March, with fighters from four international markets, including Russia, United Arab Emirates, Brazil and Germany, competing in fight twice in one-night tournaments. The winner in each market earns the opportunity to secure a coveted spot in the PFL 2020 season and a chance to fight for the one million-dollar PFL championship belts. The PFL IQS live tournaments are staged and distributed by the PFL’s co-promotion partners in each respective market and made available in the United States on ESPN+.

The PFL International Qualifier Series next heads to Brazil on March 1 at ViVi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. In partnership with Shooto Brazil, four women’s lightweight fighters will compete for a shot at a coveted spot in the 2020 PFL season.
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Roberto Villa

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer.