PFL Partners With ‘Fight Night’ Charity For Exclusive Card November 2 In Washington D.C.
28th Annual Fight Night In Washington, D.C. Will Feature MMA Superstars For The First Time Ever
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fight Night has become one of the most anticipated events in Washington, D.C., and this year’s event will be held Thursday, November 2, 2017. In its 28th year, the event has generated over $60 million for Fight For Children – a nonprofit based in Washington D.C. with a mission to ensure all kids in the District of Columbia region, especially those in the highest need areas, receive a quality early education and solid foundation for future success. Fight For Children and The Professional Fighters League have forged a new partnership that will bring some of the world’s elite MMA athletes to the Nation’s Capital for the November 2 event. Former heavyweight champion Blagoy Ivanov and rising star featherweight Lance Palmer will be among the PFL talent competing in four three-round, high-energy matchups.
“I can’t think of a better place to showcase the growing popularity of MMA than at Fight Night 2017,” said Raul Fernandez, Vice Chairman of Monumental Sports and Chairman of the Board of Fight For Children. “The PFL and Fight for Children will join forces that night, and have a huge impact on at-risk kids in the Greater Washington D.C. area.”
“Fight Night has been a staple in Washington for nearly three decades, and the Professional Fighters League is excited and honored to have some of our top athletes compete at this year’s event,” said Professional Fighters League Executive Chairman Russ Ramsey. “MMA fighters are among the most disciplined, driven, and committed athletes in the world – traits we hope to instill in our own kids and children everywhere, regardless of their backgrounds. As a D.C.-native myself, I have seen the incredible work of Fight For Children up close, and can think of no better way to cap off 2017 and begin the PFL’s mission of putting athletes first and reimagining the sport of MMA forever.”
Ivanov, a native of Bulgaria, will square off with heavy-hitting Brazilian Caio Alencar (11-1) in the main event. The last man to hold the WSOF heavyweight title, Ivanov (15-1) has rattled off four consecutive victories including three by stoppage. In his last outing he needed less than two minutes to dispatch Shawn Jordan by TKO. Ivanov will be looking to solidify his top-seed status heading into the PFL’s inaugural season in 2018.
Alencar is on a four-fight win streak of his own and is hoping to knock off the promotion’s top heavyweight. He is returning from an upset knockout win over former NCAA Division I wrestling standout Jared Rosholt last New Year’s Eve at Madison Square Garden. Alencar needed just 77 seconds to dispatch the former All-American and cement his place in the PFL. Look for fireworks when these two take to the Decagon, the heavyweight sluggers have only seen the final bell four times in a combined 28 professional bouts.
Palmer (11-3) will return to the cage for the first time since injuring his hand in March during a featherweight title fight with undefeated Andre Harrison. The Team Alpha-Male product is a four-time Division I wrestling All-American out of Ohio State University and he is a two-time WSOF featherweight champion. Palmer is viewed by many as the top threat to Harrison once the 2018 PFL season gets underway. His opponent will be named shortly.
The Nov. 2 event will hail from the Washington Hilton in Washington, D.C. and will round out the PFL’s 2017 schedule. The remaining two bouts will be announced at a later date. The show will be streamed live at ProfessionalFightersLeague.com, Facebook Live, YouTube, Periscope, via the FITE TV app and on the Kiswe Mobile App.
ABOUT THE PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE 2018 SEASON The Professional Fighters League will kick-off its inaugural season in January 2018. The League brings the pure sport format to MMA, with individual fighters competing in a scheduled regular season and $10 million post-season tournament. The season begins with 84 athletes, 12 in each of seven weight-classes, with one fighter emerging as the champion in each.
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE The Professional Fighters League is co-founded by Donn Davis, Russ Ramsey, and Mark Leschly and backed by business titans in sports, media, and technology and will debut in January 2018. The Professional Fighters League purchased the fighting operations and event infrastructure of the World Series of Fighting (WSOF) in January 2017. For more visit www.professionalfightersleague.com.
