Lightweight Alexei Pergande won a PFL contract after a successful pro debut on the seventh episode of the “Challenger Series,” which aired on Friday night.
Pergande beat semi-finalist Andrija Stankovic along with three other successful fighters to get the contract. The theme for this week’s episode was debuting fighters, meaning all 10 names on the card were fighting as a pro for the first time.
Pergande was the sole fighter to score a submission win on the card, catching Joe Hamm with a submission.
Pergande’s smothering ground performance against Joe Hamm came to an end in the second round, securing an arm triangle choke to end the fight.
Pergande dominated the fight on the ground prior to the submission finish.
Pergande’s amateur record included four wins from 2019 to 2021. Hamm had a record of six wins and one loss.
Stankovic Wins In Main Event
A mix of striking and takedowns from Sanford MMA product Andrija Stankovic earned him a decision nod over Louis Brewington in Friday’s main event.
While the broadcast touted that striking would be the main threat from Stankovic, he often took Brewington down and used positions to earn control time.
Brewington entered the fight with a large amateur record of seven wins and five losses.
Turner Gets Decision Nod
Christian Turner scored a decision win in the co-main event against Chayanne Serrano. The win came from Turner’s ability to get the fight to the ground and remain in controlling positions, like full guard, for most of the time.
Turner’s amateur run lasted just seven months, scoring four victories in notable regional promotion NFC.
Serrano had a longer amateur career, scoring six wins and one loss from 2018 to 2021.
Alderman Uses Wrestling To Defeat McDaniel
Daeri Alderman mounted a comeback against Jaylon McDaniel to score a unanimous decision win in the opening bout of the card.
Wrestling was Alderman’s best tool throughout the fight. He often took McDaniel down to stop his momentum on the feet, or at other times scored control time to take over rounds.
McDaniel’s sole knockdown in the fight came just seconds into the fight, dropping Alderman with a right cross.
Both fighters were turning pro after attaining three wins as an amateur last year.
Quick Results
Main Card (9:00PM EDT) (FuboTV)
Bout 4: Andrija Stankovic def. Louis Brewington via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 3: Christian Turner def. Chayanne Serrano via Decision, Unanimous
Bout 2: Alexei Pergande def. Joe Hamm via Submission, Arm Triangle Choke (RD 2, 4:42)
Bout 1: Daeri Alderman def. Jaylon McDaniel via Decision, Unanimous
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