Travis Lizotte "Full Contact Writer"
Week 3 of the PFL Challenger series gets underway this week as Orlando, Florida invites Heavyweights to Universal Studios, with a PFL contract on the line. Friday February 10th, airing at 9 pm Eastern and exclusively on Fubo Sports platforms, two of New England's most dangerous residents put it all on the line, for their shot at the Bigtime. Springfield, Massachusetts' Hassan "Bounty Hunter" Graham (1-0, Former Cage Titans Amateur Heavyweight Champion) and South Portland, Maine's "Rasquatch 'The Jamican Shamrock'" Ras Hylton (9-6, three straight knockouts) will both be gunning for their spots on the PFL Heavyweight roster.
Springfield's Hassan Graham (29 years old) got somewhat of a late start in the world of organized fisticuffs in 2021, since then he has done his part to collect bounties on each man who has stepped inside the cage with him. Graham cashed in his Undisputed Cage Titans Amateur Heavyweight Strap for a successful pro debut last time out, when he toppled highly touted Muay Thai striker; Jorge Vega (2-0 Professional Muay Thai, 2 Knockouts) in just 57 seconds at Cage Titans 56 in October by way of strikes. Graham puts a personal 5 fight winning streak to begin his career on the line, Friday night, against London, England's "The One and Only" Abraham Bably (2-0).
26 year old Abraham Bably has enjoyed similar success to that of Graham, compiling an eerily similar 4-0 Amateur record (all 4 by Knockout) before becoming an undefeated professional. Bably earned his second professional victory last summer, as a member of the PFL, at PFL 9: 2022, with a Unanimous Decision over fellow Englishmen; Louis Sutherland (then 4-0). Bably looks to prove his staying power with the PFL organization Friday night when the pin drops on his Heavyweight tilt with New England's Hassan Graham, as both men look to remain unblemished.
South Portland, Maine's Ras Hylton experienced career resurrection in 2022, fighting three times, delivering brutal Knockout stoppages in all three of those contests! Hylton began 2022 outside the region in April, dispatching an incredibly tough Jan Jorgenson (then 8-1) in the second round in Utah at Fierce FC 19. Hylton returned home for the second half of 2022 and needed just 29 seconds total to put stops to Cody Lightfoot (6-5, NEF 48: Heatwave) and Jordan Mitchell (10-16, NEF 50), combined. Not unfamiliar to the spotlight, the two time Bellator combatant (1-1) Hylton looks to take the biggest step of his Heavyweight career Friday night when he meets former UFC Light-Heavyweight; Danilo Marquez (12-4, 2-2 UFC) in the Main Event of Friday Night's PFL Challenger Series Week 3.
Sao Paulo, Brazil's Danilo Marquez's 19 month run in the UFC came to an end in February 2022 after suffering back to back knockout losses to Kennedy Nzechukwu (11-3) and Jailton Almeida (18-2). Danilo picked up a first round submission victory just three weeks following his UFC release, albeit to Pro-Debuting Brock McKinney at a local California promotion. Marquez ends a nearly year long absence from the cage Friday night when he locks horns with his toughest test since his UFC days; the Red Hot; Ras Hylton, in the Main Event. New England MMA fans are encouraged to tune into Fubo Sports Friday night beginning at 9 pm to cheer on our two New England Heavyweights, as well as vote for them to get that PFL deal, following the conclusion of their fights.
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