Each year, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) puts on a massive fight card which serves as the culminating event of the season. This final offering for the year, often branded as “MMA’s Biggest Night”, features six 1-million dollar world championship bouts, as well as a handful of must-see bouts featuring some of the biggest names in the sport. To put a bow on the 2023 PFL Season, the league has once again pulled out all the stops to bring fans another massive night of fights at The Anthem in Washington D.C. this coming November 24th. Here are the fights to watch out for at the 2023 PFL World Championship: Biaggio Ali Walsh’s Potential Last Fight as an Amateur Perhaps no other amateur fighter has been making waves like Biaggio Ali Walsh. The grandson of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Biaggio has carved a name for himself in mixed martial arts, putting together a 5-1 amateur record which includes four straight knockout wins inside the PFL SmartCage. At the 2023 PFL World Championship, Biaggio returns to action against Joel Galarza Lopez. A big win could become the springboard for Biaggio to make the jump to the professional ranks. Derek Brunson’s PFL Debut Against the Returning Ray Cooper III Over the last few years, the PFL has managed to bring in a number of the biggest names in the sport, including the likes of Rory MacDonald, Fabricio Werdum, Claressa Shields, Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul, and the list goes on. The most recent name to join the PFL is perennial middleweight contender Derek “The One” Brunson, who signed with the league in October. Brunson, who is fresh off an 11-year run in the UFC, comes to the PFL with a 23-9 professional record and has faced the likes of Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Yoel Romero, ‘Jacare’ Souza, Israel Adesanya, and many more. Brunson will be an interesting addition to the PFL’s light heavyweight roster in 2024, but he’ll first make his debut against two-time PFL Welterweight Champion Ray Cooper III. One of the PFL’s biggest homegrown stars, Cooper III returns to the PFL SmartCage after missing the 2023 Regular Season. The Return of Kayla Harrison Another returning two-time PFL Champion, Kayla Harrison makes her highly-anticipated comeback against one of the PFL’s big-name signings, Aspen Ladd. Harrison became a household name in the PFL, going undefeated and capturing gold in her first two PFL Regular Season campaigns. Last season, Harrison appeared primed to make history as the league’s first three-time champion, but ended up absorbing her first career loss to Larissa Pacheco. Ladd narrowly missed making the postseason in her first PFL campaign, but has the opportunity to end the season on a high note against one of the league’s most dominant fighters. All Six World Championship Bouts Six championships on the line. Six 1-million dollar purses up for grabs. The culmination of the 2023 PFL Regular Season, a dozen of the league’s best fighters all look to become champion and look to bring home a life-changing million-dollar purse. Here’s a quick rundown of this season’s world championship bouts: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Clay Collard for the PFL Lightweight Championship Renan Ferreira vs. Denis Goltsov for the PFL Heavyweight Championship Larissa Pacheco vs. Marina Mokhnatkina for the PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship Magomed Magomedkerimov vs. Sadibou Sy for the PFL Welterweight Championship Josh Silveira vs. Impa Kasanganay for the PFL Light Heavyweight Championship Don’t miss the 2023 PFL World Championship this November 24th, live on ESPN+ PPV!

Aubin-Mercier and Collard battle for Lightweight Championship in Main Event Goltsov and Ferreira meet in Heavyweight Championship Co-Main Event The 2023 PFL World Championship takes place tomorrow, November 24th, with the Undercard beginning at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN+, and the Championship PPV beginning at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN+ PPV. WASHINGTON D.C. - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league in the world, wraps up the 2023 PFL Season with MMA’s Richest Night, the 2023 PFL World Championship. The card will feature six world championship bouts, each with a million-dollar purse. In the main event, 2022 Champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier meets Clay Collard for the PFL Lightweight Championship. Aubin-Mercier weighed in at 154.8-pounds as he looks to become a two-time PFL champion. Collard weighed-in at 154.8-pounds, the fan-favorite looks to finally bring home championship gold in the PFL. Heavyweights collide in the co-main event, as Denis Goltsov takes on Renan Ferreira for the PFL Heavyweight Championship. Goltsov weighed in at 244.6-pounds, while Ferreira weighed in at 261.2-pounds. Facing off for the PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship, 2022 PFL Champion Larissa Pacheco meets number two seed Marina Mokhnatkina . Pacheco weighed in at 145-pounds as she aims to make history as the PFL’s first two-division champion. Mokhnatkina, meanwhile, weighed in at 144.4-pounds as she looks to become the PFL’s first female 145-pound titleholder. The PFL Welterweight Championship is up for grabs in a battle of champions, 2022 titleholder Sadibou Sy faces 2018 champion Magomed Magomedkerimov . Sy weighed in at 169.8-pounds, while Magomedkerimov weighed in at 170-pounds. The PFL Light Heavyweight Championship is on the line when Joshua Silveira faces PFL newcomer Impa Kasanganay . Silveira weighed in at 202.6-pounds. Kasanganay, meanwhile, weighed in at 203.4-pounds. In the first title fight of the night, Gabriel Braga meets Jesus Pinedo for the PFL Featherweight Championship. Braga weighed-in at 144.6-pounds, while Pinedo weighed in at 145-pounds. Chris Wade failed to make the contracted weight for his bout with Bubba Jenkins. Jenkins declined to accept a catchweight for the bout. Jenkins will continue as the alternate for the featherweight championship bout. OFFICIAL 2023 PFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WEIGH-IN RESULTS ESPN+ PPV Championship Card PFL Lightweight Championship Olivier Aubin-Mercier (154.8 lbs) vs. Clay Collard (154.8) PFL Heavyweight Championship Denis Goltsov (244.6 lbs) vs. Renan Ferreira (261.2 lbs) PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship Larissa Pacheco (145 lbs) vs. Marina Mokhnatkina (144.4lbs) PFL Welterweight Championship Sadibou Sy (169.8 lbs) vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov (170 lbs) PFL Light Heavyweight Championship Joshua Silveira (202.6 lbs) vs. Impa Kasanganay (203.4lbs) Women’s Catchweight (150 lbs) Showcase Kayla Harrison (150.4 lbs) vs. Aspen Ladd (150 lbs) Catchweight Showcase Ray Cooper III (186.8 lbs) vs. Derek Brunson (185.8 lbs) *Ray Cooper missed weight. The bout will now move forward at a catchweight of 187 lbs. Cooper forfeits 20% of his purse to Brunson. ESPN+ Undercard PFL Featherweight Championship Gabriel Braga (144.6 lbs) vs. Jesus Pinedo (145 lbs) Lightweight Amateur Bout Biaggio Ali Walsh (155.8 lbs) vs. Joel Lopez (154.2 lbs) Featherweight Showcase Bubba Jenkins (145 lbs) vs. Chris Wade (148.4 lbs) *Chris Wade failed to make the contracted weight for his bout with Bubba Jenkins. Jenkins declined to accept a catchweight for the bout. Jenkins will continue as the alternate for the featherweight championship bout. Bantamweight Showcase Khai Wu (135.4 lbs) vs. Phil Caracappa (135.6 lbs) Catchweight Showcase Jesse Stirn (145.6 lbs) vs. Josh Blyden (146.8 lbs) *Josh Blyden missed weight. The bout will now move forward at a catchweight of 147 lbs. Blyden forfeits 20% of his purse to Stern.

ONE Championship has put the sport of Muay Thai on a global stage in 2023. The celebration of the “art of eight limbs” will continue on Friday, December 8, with an all-Muay Thai event at ONE Fight Night 17. Headlining the action will be a monster main event featuring ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion and ONE Heavyweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix Champion Roman Kryklia. The Ukrainian superstar has been untouchable since arriving in ONE with four KO/TKO finishes in his five bouts in the promotion. Now he will don the four-ounce gloves in hopes of claiming the inaugural ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship. Standing in his way will be a fresh face to the promotion. Australia’s Alex Roberts steps up for the biggest challenge of his career against the towering Ukrainian striker. Roberts will try to shock the world and claim gold with his thunderous power. The lineup will not be without American representation, as two U.S. stars will try to grab important victories on the card. Luke Lessei arrives in the promotion to take on “Smokin” Jo Nattawut in a featherweight showdown. The Iowa native will try to stop the #4-ranked contender and put himself in the thick of the title hunt. Meanwhile, teenage sensation Johan Ghazali will step up into U.S. primetime against Mexico’s Edgar Tabares. Ghazali has shined on the ONE Friday Fights event series and has earned a six-figure contract in the process. He will continue his trek up the mountain against the former WBC Muay Thai International Champion. December 8 will be a date to remember for all martial arts fans. The excitement of Muay Thai in four-ounce gloves will continue to be spotlighted by ONE with an exhilarating card on Prime Video. ONE Fight Night 17 airs live and free to all U.S. and Canadian Amazon Prime subscribers on Friday, December 8, from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. ONE Fight Night 17 Fight Card ONE Heavyweight Muay Thai World Championship: Roman Kryklia vs. Alex Roberts Jo Nattawut vs. Luke Lessei Felipe Lobo vs. Saemapetch Fairtex Walter Goncalves vs. Jacob Smith Edgar Tabares vs. Johan Ghazali Nguyen Tran Duy Nhat vs. Denis Puric Thongpoon PK Saenchai vs. Ellis Barboza

Prediction: It Will Be Superlek courtesy of ONE Championship Following ONE Fight Night 14, ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong held nothing back when discussing the state of striking in martial arts. His comments commanded attention. Sityodtong flatly stated that striking in the UFC was sloppy and mediocre. However, he clarified that is because most of the roster comes from a grappling base. Sityodtong believes that ONE’s roster of striking stars is the differentiation that helps make it the most exciting martial arts promotion in the world. When breaking down the roster, it is difficult to disagree with the assertion. ONE offers kickboxing and Muay Thai, along with MMA. The elite strikers that line those divisions are unquestionably the best in the world. The ONE featherweight kickboxing division is the most incredible lineup of athletes in martial arts, regardless of sport. Chingiz Allazov, Giorgio Petrosyan, and Superbon Singha Mawynn are all legitimate pound-for-pound greats in the sport, and all compete within that division. Add in Tawanchai PK Saenchai, Marat Grigorian, Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, and many others, and you have the most special division, perhaps in the history of the sport. That is just one division of one sport. There are still too many talents to name, such as ONE Light Heavyweight Kickboxing World Champion Roman Kryklia, ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion Jonathan Haggerty, and Nong-O Hama. Recently, the flyweight Muay Thai matchup between Rodtang Jitmuangnon and Superlek Kiatmoo9 captured the attention of the martial arts world, including Joe Rogan himself. After witnessing one of the biggest Muay Thai matches in history, Rogan commended the athletes and wrote that Muay Thai has the biggest untapped potential in the Western world. That statement alone speaks to the excitement ONE’s Muay Thai has generated. At ONE’s most recent U.S. primetime event, ONE Fight Night 15, Italian-Canadian phenom Jonathan Di Bella continued his perfect streak with a unanimous decision win over Danial Williams, showcasing the global talent roster under their banner. And the distinction between striking ability does not end with the pure striking arts. The MMA side of ONE’s roster cannot be ignored. Fairtex courtesy of ONE Championship Chief among them is Stamp Fairtex, a former ONE Atomweight Kickboxing and Muay Thai World Champion, who recently became the first-ever three-sport World Champion after winning the ONE Atomweight MMA World Title. There are spectacular athletes around the world, but Sityodtong’s assertion that ONE’s roster has the most depth of World Championship-caliber strikers is not debatable. More importantly, those names deliver the most exciting action each time they step onto ONE’s global platform. ONE celebrates martial arts as a whole, and its roster reflects the dedication to the striking arts that get the chance to be celebrated on one

ONE Championship will start 2024 with a masterclass in kickboxing. Superlek Kiatmoo9 will defend the ONE Flyweight Kickboxing World Championship against Elias Mahmoudi at ONE Fight Night 18. Superlek is on an incredible 10-bout winning streak across kickboxing and Muay Thai. In his last outing, Superlek defeated Rodtang Jitmuangnon in a tightly contested three-round bout in the biggest Muay Thai bout in 50 years. The January 12 bout will mark the first title defense for “The Kicking Machine” since defeating Danial Williams by knockout at ONE Fight Night 8. Mahmoudi, the #5-ranked flyweight contender, enters the contest coming off a memorable performance against Edgar Tabares. The Algerian striker won by technical TKO after dropping the Mexican star three times in just 68 seconds. With Mahmoudi flashing his showstopping strength, Superlek will have to be dialed in to defeat his latest challenger. It is a matchup of pristine technique vs. formidable power, and it will bring out the best in both athletes. The flyweight kickboxing showdown will headline the action that is already getting hot and heavy in Bangkok, Thailand. Previously announced, John Lineker will make his first foray into Muay Thai against Liam Harrison in a bantamweight contest sure to deliver explosive results. In more bantamweight action, Kwon Won Il battles Shinechagtga Zoltsetseg in a mixed martial arts contest. ONE Fight Night 18 airs live on Prime Video on Friday, January 12, at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. The event is free for all Amazon Prime subscribers based in the U.S. and Canada.

PFL Forms Global Powerhouse Poised to be MMA Co-Leader PFL + Bellator Combined Fighter Roster Equal to UFC – Both Rosters 30% Top 25 World-Ranked PFL to Launch Reimagined Bellator in 2024 with Bellator International Champions Series PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions in Landmark MMA Mega-Event to be Staged in 2024 NEW YORK (MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2023) - Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced it has completed the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount Global (NASDAQ:PARA), creating a global powerhouse in mixed-martial arts (MMA) and accelerating the combined company to become the industry co-leader. PFL has acquired an immense number of top fighters through the Bellator acquisition, and its combined fighter roster is now equal in stature to UFC. PFL and UFC both showcase rosters that are 30% comprised of fighters who are top 25 independently world-ranked in their weight-classes. In addition, PFL + Bellator now has the best roster of women’s fighters in the world. All newly acquired Bellator fighters will become part of the PFL platform and available to compete in PFL fight franchises. PFL will continue the Bellator brand, and Bellator will be the “one-off” event product from PFL. PFL will launch a reimagined Bellator product in 2024 – the “Bellator International Champions Series.” The Bellator International Champions Series will consist of eight fight events each year hosted in major cities across the globe, and each Bellator event will feature two compelling co-main fights competing for championship belts. Bellator becomes one of five live fight franchises of the Professional Fighters League: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Overall, the company can now meet fan and media demand by producing and programming a year-round calendar of live fight content with 30 premium MMA events per year. PFL as a fighter-first and fan-focused organization plans to stage a landmark mega-event in 2024 – PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions. The PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions mega-event will feature the champions of each promotion in all seven weight-classes in a head-to-head epic fight experience. Details of Bellator events, distribution, partnerships, and management will be announced at a later date. Donn Davis, PFL Chairman and Founder, and Peter Murray, PFL CEO, continue to lead and operate the combined company. “PFL is now a global powerhouse in MMA,” said Donn Davis, PFL Founder and Chairman. “Our Bellator acquisition turbocharges PFL’s mission to innovate the sport and become the industry co-leader.” “The combined PFL and Bellator fighter rosters are second to none in MMA,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “We can’t wait to bring MMA fans what they have been asking for - best vs best with the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions Mega-Event.” MMA with 650 million global fans is the third largest fan-base of all sports worldwide. MMA is the sports growth business of this decade with its current $1.75 billion industry revenue projected to grow 10% annually to $4 billion by 2032. Bellator has served fighters and fans worldwide for more than a decade, staging an astounding 301 major MMA fight events. Bellator has successfully identified and developed dozens of acclaimed MMA world champions. Bellator’s current fighter roster has 46 fighters world-ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class per independent source Fight Matrix Rankings. PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight-class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners. Citi and LionTree served as financial advisors to PFL and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to PFL. ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league world-wide. PFL has five live fight franchises, offering year-round content: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sport business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams. MEDIA CONTACTS PFL Loren Mack; lmack@pflmma.com Paramount Allie McLarty; allison.mclarty@paramount.com

PFL to premier 9 new must-see original programs on ESPNews in anticipation of the 2023 PFL World Championship 2023 PFL World Championship takes place on Friday, November 24 at The Anthem Washington D.C. Live on ESPN+ PPV NEW YORK (November 22, 2023) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest-growing and most innovative sports league, will premier original programming to further build more anticipation and excitement for the upcoming 2023 PFL World Championship. The PFL has produced 9 brand new and exciting original programs to air on ESPNews starting on Friday, November 17 at 6:00, with multiple replays leading up to fight day. Showcasing the season’s best finishes, important storylines, and analysis on upcoming fights, these programs will set the tone and get fans even more pumped for this season’s must-see finale. The 2023 PFL World Championship takes place at The Anthem in Washington D.C. on Friday, November 24. The main event will be live on ESPN+ Pay Per View preceded by prelims on ESPN+. Check out the list of programs and schedules below: PFL 2023 Top Finishes Premier: Nov. 17 at 6:00 AM Replays: Nov. 18 at 4:00 AM, Nov. 21 at 4:00 AM, Nov. 22 at 3:00 AM, Nov. 24 at 4:00 AM PFL Championship Journey: 2023 Light Heavyweights Premier: Nov. 17 at 7:00 AM Replays: Nov 19 at 1:00 AM, Nov. 22 at 12:00 AM and 11:00 PM, Nov. 23 at 5:00 AM, Nov. 24 at 6:00 AM PFL Championship Journey: 2023 Heavyweights Premier: Nov. 17 at 7:30 AM Replays: Nov 19 at 1:30 AM, Nov. 22 at 12:30 AM and 11:30 PM, Nov. 23 at 5:30 AM, Nov. 24 at 6:30 AM PFL Championship Journey: 2023 Featherweights Premier: Nov. 17 at 8:00 AM Replays: Nov 19 at 2:00 AM, Nov. 21 at 2:30 AM, Nov. 23 at 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM, Nov. 24 at 7:00 AM PFL Championship Journey: 2023 Welterweights Premier: Nov. 17 at 8:30 AM Replays: Nov. 19 at 2:30 AM, Nov. 21 at 3:30 AM, Nov. 23 at 12:30 AM and 6:30 AM, Nov. 24 at 7:30 AM PFL Championship Journey: 2023 Women's Featherweights Premier: Nov. 17 at 9:00 AM Replays: Nov 19 at 3:00 AM, Nov. 22 at 1:00 AM, Nov. 23 at 1:00 AM and 7:00 AM, Nov. 24 at 8:00 AM PFL Championship Journey: 2023 Lightweights Premier: Nov. 17 at 9:30 AM Replays: Nov. 19 at 3:30 AM, Nov 21 at 3:00 AM, Nov. 23 at 1:30 AM and 7:30 AM, Nov. 24 at 8:30 AM Road to the 2023 PFL Championship Premier: Nov. 19 at 12:00 AM Replays: Nov. 21 at 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM, Nov. 22 at 10:00 PM, Nov. 23 at 8:00 AM, Nov. 24 at 1:00 AM, 5:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 2:00 PM PFL Battle Lines with Dan Hardy Premier: Nov. 20 at 1:30 AM Replays: Nov. 22 at 9:30 PM, Nov. 23 at 9:00 AM, Nov. 24 at 12:30 AM,

On Friday, November 24th, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) will wrap up another memorable season with the 2023 PFL World Championship, featuring one of the most stacked finale cards in league history. Apart from having big names and former champions such as Kayla Harrison, Ray Cooper III, Aspen Ladd, Derek Brunson, and many others, Friday’s season-ending offering also includes the traditional six world championship bouts, with the winners not only taking home bragging rights, but also a hefty million-dollar purse. This season’s set of world title bouts are quite intriguing, with each bout potentially being a tightly-contested affair. Ahead of “MMA’s Richest Night”, here are predictions for all six world championship bouts: Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Clay Collard for the PFL Lightweight Championship: Headlining the 2023 PFL World Championship card is a lightweight title bout between last season’s champion “The Canadian Gangster” Olivier Aubin-Mercier taking on fan-favorite “Cassius” Clay Collard. A veteran of the UFC, Aubin-Mercier has been on an impressive run since joining the PFL. Last season, “The Canadian Gangster” continued his undefeated run all the way to a PFL championship. Collard, on the other hand, has established himself as a must-see fighter in the PFL, with exciting wins over some of the biggest names in the league. While Collard has proved to be a tough out for the PFL’s 155-pounders, Aubin-Mercier is more well-rounded, and should emerge victorious. Prediction: Olivier Aubin-Mercier by Decision. Denis Goltsov vs. Renan Ferreira for the PFL Heavyweight Championship In the co-main event, two of the PFL’s hardest hitters collide for the PFL Heavyweight Championship, as Denis “The Russian Bogatyr” Goltsov faces Renan “Problema” Ferreira. A PFL veteran since 2019, Goltsov has recorded ten wins inside the PFL SmartCage, with six of those wins coming by way of KO or TKO. Ferreira, on the other hand, wasted little time in showing his explosive power, recording two of the fastest knockouts in PFL Heavyweight history. Four of his five PFL wins have come by KO or TKO, with three of those coming in under a minute. With 36 stoppage wins between the two of them, it’s unlikely that Goltsov and Ferreira go the distance. While Ferreira might be the PFL’s most feared knockout artist, Goltsov has more tools in his arsenal and this should carry him to a stoppage win and the PFL Heavyweight Championship. Prediction: Denis Goltsov by Stoppage Larissa Pacheco vs. Marina Mokhnatkina for the PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship For the first time in league history, a female 145-pound titleholder will be crowned, as 2022 PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion Larissa Pacheco meets Marina Mokhnatkina for the PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship. The PFL’s most dominant fighter not named Kayla Harrison, Pacheco finally broke through last season and captured PFL gold while also becoming the first person to defeat Harrison in the process. This season, Pacheco is on track to make history by becoming the PFL’s first two-division champion. Mokhnatkina, on the other hand, has quietly been impressive since joining the PFL in 2021, compiling a 5-1 record, including back-to-back dominant wins this season. As impressive as Mokhnatkina has been, Pacheco will likely prove to be too vicious and too powerful, which will lead to another historic title reign. Prediction: Larissa Pacheco by KO/TKO Sadibou Sy vs. Magomed Magomedkerimov for the PFL Welterweight Championship Former titleholders collide, as 2022 champion Sadibou “The Swedish Denzel” Sy faces 2018 champion Magomed Magomedkerimov for the PFL Welterweight Championship. One of the PFL’s longest-tenured fighters, Sy has made the playoffs in each of his five seasons in the league, including finals berths in the last two seasons, and a title run in 2022. Magomedkerimov, meanwhile, returns to the PFL finals for the third time in his career, and remains dominant inside the SmartCage, with an impressive 15-1 record including eight wins via stoppage. Sy has been greatly impressive in the last two seasons, but could see his amazing run come to an end at the hands of the very dominant Magomedkerimov. The two 170-pounders crossed paths back in 2021, with Magomedkerimov taking the decision win. History will likely repeat itself, with Magomedkerimov emerging victorious and becoming a two-time PFL champion. Prediction: Magomed Magomedkerimov by Decision Joshua Silveira vs. Impa Kasanganay for the PFL Light Heavyweight Championship A pair of PFL up-and-comers get their chance at glory, as Joshua Silvera takes on Impa “Tshilobo” Kasaganay go head-to-head for the PFL Light Heavyweight Championship. A graduate of the PFL Challenger Series, Silviera has been remarkable since joining the main roster, picking up five wins in six outings, including three straight stoppage wins this season. Kasanganay, who also passed through the Challenger Series, has made the most of his maiden PFL season with three impressive wins of his own, including one against former finalist Marthin Hamlet. In one of the more evenly-matched bouts of the night, this light heavyweight title bout could go either way and should be an exciting watch. With Silveria being a little more well-rounded however, it could ultimately be enough to lead him to victory and PFL gold. Prediction: Joshua Silveria by Decision Gabriel Braga vs. Jesus Pinedo for the PFL Featherweight Championship In the first title fight of the night, two PFL newcomers target championship gold, as Gabriel Braga meets Jesus “El Mudo” Pinedo for the PFL Featherweight Championship. Another product of the PFL Challenger Series, Braga was able to translate his Challenger Series success into an impressive maiden PFL season, where he went undefeated with wins over Pinedo, Marlon Moraes, and Chris Wade. Pinedo, meanwhile turned in one of the most stunning seasons in PFL history, with back-to-back upset knockout wins over 2022 champion Brendan Loughnane and perennial top contender Bubba Jenkins to reach the Finals. Braga may have a win over Pinedo from earlier in the season, but what the latter has done since then has been astounding. It would not be surprising to see Pinedo pull off another upset win to become PFL champion. Prediction: Jesus Pinedo by KO/TKO Don’t miss the 2023 PFL World Championship this November 24th, live on ESPN+ PPV!

Numerous Black Belt readers have contacted our staff to ask for more information about Gerry Chisolm, the martial artist who is perhaps better-known by her nickname — which happens to be the name of her column: Lady Sensei. This bio is for all who have wondered about the origin story of one of the most accomplished and visible women in the American martial arts. — Editor by Gerry Chisolm Popularly known as “Lady Sensei,” Gerry Chisolm is a martial artist on a mission. The founder of the Women’s Martial Arts Network, she has dedicated her life to creating greater awareness of the accomplishments and contributions of women in the martial arts — and to getting more women on the path to proficiency with respect to selfdefense. Chisolm is not just a facilitator; she’s also a teacher. She has traveled around the United States, Europe, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean to offer instruction in personal protection, empty-hand combat and weapons. She has lectured as an independent scholar, presenting her research on African-American women at the Martial Arts Studies Conference at Cardiff University in Wales and at Chapman University in California. The portion of her life that qualified her to take on those tasks is impressive. She holds rank in three systems and speaks often of her primary teacher Ronald Duncan, the man who is often called the “father of American ninjutsu.” Chisolm is his last black belt and the highest-ranked active female instructor in his art. Chisolm was a private student of Duncan’s for years, and during that period, she devoted all her resources to cultivating her selfdefense skills. The motivation to do so stemmed from the domestic violence she had experienced and her vow to never let it happen again. She devoured every combat curriculum to which she had access — ninjutsu, combatives, traditional weapons and firearms. Before Duncan passed away in 2012, she received her third degree from him. The most important lesson she learned during her martial journey, she says, is one that all masters know well: The mind is the primary weapon. Everything else is just a means to an end. With encouragement from Duncan before he died, Chisolm began training simultaneously at the Vee Arnis Jitsu School of Self-Defense under Scott Stewart. She still trains — and teaches — at the Staten Island, New York, dojo. The subsets of martial arts that she specializes in there include street defense using Filipino stick-fighting techniques and knife techniques, along with jujitsu. “Between the two systems, I train regularly four to six days a week,” she says. Anyone who knows Chisolm will tell you she’s not one to rest on her laurels. At the Staten Island school, she became the first female black belt. By age 56, she had earned her fifth degree. She continued training in ninjutsu under Dan McEaddy, one of Duncan’s earliest students, and became his first female shihan. By 2018, she’d earned her sixth dan in the system. And because she knows weapons skills are just as perishable as empty-hand skills, she continues to train in defensive shooting and executive protection with Lateif Dickerson at the New Jersey Firearms Academy. Along the way, Chisolm noticed something was lacking, however, and the observation proved to be life changing. “I remember seeing very few women students or instructors, and perhaps only one or two on the seminar circuit as presenters,” she says. “For a long time after O Sensei [Duncan] passed away, I kept looking for opportunities to meet or train with other women, but I really didn’t have much luck. I had pretty much developed without warrior-sister camaraderie and grew accustomed to being the only woman in a class or teaching at a seminar. “These types of experiences led to the establishment of the Women’s Martial Arts Network in 2018.” For Chisolm, limiting her outreach to just people she could contact face to face was never an option. Her network quickly established a chapter in Ontario, Canada. Over the years, she’s worked with an organization called Black and Missing Families and taken her message to the masses via Black Girls Rock, the Urban Action Showcase & Expo, the Museum of the Moving Image, and the Fist and Sword Martial Arts Film Series, to name a few. “We have annual women’s celebrations and conduct campus-safety seminars for colleges, universities, and community and civic organizations,” she says. “We feel like we are making a difference.” When it comes to making a difference with respect to promoting personal safety, she’s always thinking outside the box. Years ago, Chisolm and Duncan discovered that she had a natural talent for wielding edged weapons. After fine-tuning her skills, she performed her first knife demonstration with him at Aaron Banks’ 43rd Oriental World of Self- Defense show in New York. Years later, the blade skills she’d learned from Duncan paid off in a way she never could have anticipated. Casting directors from the History channel’s Forged in Fire: Knife or Death series saw images of Chisolm on social media, posing with a kukri knife. They reached out to ask if she would like to audition for the show. “I honestly thought someone was trying to prank me, so I ignored them for a time,” she says. “At some point, I investigated and realized that it wasn’t a joke.” Chisolm auditioned — and passed. She was flown to Atlanta, where she wound up being the only woman on Season 2, Episode 4 of the series. Her appearance was such a crowdpleaser that the producers invited her back for a Thanksgiving special titled Forged in Fire: “Bladesgiving” Marathon. Fast-forward to 2020: For all that she had done — and is still doing — to promote the martial arts as the solution to so many of the problems faced by women in modern society, Chisolm became Black Belt’s Instructor of the Year. Months later, she started writing the magazine’s Lady Sensei column. She says that she’ll continue to shine a spotlight on the accomplishments of others who are striving to educate the public on all things martial. “The future of the martial arts rests in the hands of the women and girls — not just as students but also as teachers, leaders, representatives, proprietors and event organizers,” she says. “Congratulations to all who support and encourage their development, safety options, health and self-expression through martial arts.” This article originally appeared in a 2022 edition of Black Belt Magazine.

By Gerry Chisolm A quick internet search will reveal that Michelle Manu is a rare individual. A 10th-degree Kumu (teacher), she’s the only female disciple and inheritor of Hawaii’s ancient combat art of Lua. She’s also a multidisciplinary practitioner and the only woman to receive the designation of “knight commander” from the royal order of King Kamehameha. Fierce, fascinating and formidable, she represents the Hawaiian woman warrior, or Wahine Koa. In this Black Belt exclusive, Manu talks about her art and her devotion to it. Photos courtesy of Michelle Manu As an inheritor of lua, what are your responsibilities? My responsibility is to represent the woman warrior — specifically, through lua, which is kuia’ lua, the ancient and only native warrior art and cultural practice. It wasn’t just martial; the cultural practice of lua entailed warrior massage, the metaphysical [and] spiritual aspects, the connection with nature and all things. Then they had the hula, which concealed the war arts — that was mandatory. So you have all these elements that made up the cultural practice of what a warrior, or koa, was. More women are joining, and they’re learning the ways of the ancient women. I also teach men, and they’re learning this. That’s the cultural aspect bringing the old into the new. Tell me about the ancients. The women in lua were deadly. They needed to finish things quickly because they were tied to the land — those that weren’t nomadic, the ones that stayed in one place. They had to govern over the land, the individuals of the tribe, the animals. And then there were others who were nomadic. They did not have children, or if they did, they fought pregnant and gave the child up for adoption. They didn’t take a spouse because their job, mission and purpose was to protect. This was about maximum kills and about women being able to infiltrate areas where the male koa could not. What weapons did they use? They used the strangling cord, and they used the pikoi, which was like a lasso that had a jagged tree root on the end or a sharp rock. It was the favorite weapon of the ancient women. The Hawaiian culture was also big on poison. They were very good with their daggers, pahi (swords) and knives. They used pohaku rocks, slingshots... Slingshots? Slingshots were much better than bows and arrows beca use when it started raining in battle and the wind started picking up, the bow and arrow would be rendered useless. This made the slingshots very effective. You’ll see a lot of the leaders and chiefs, even the king, wearing a gourd helmet because it deflected the flying rocks from the ma’a, or slingshot. Kauai was the only island that was not overtaken by King Kamehameha. They were experts [with] the slingshot. And so they entered into a treaty with the king and were never defeated — only because of that weapon. How do you help modern women step into new versions of themselves? We learn differently. We shadow differently. Our experiences are different. We process differently. Our responsibilities are different. Our upbringing is different based on demographics and our economical status with our parents, their maturity level, their levels of abuse, etc. My women’s program is for everyday women. They learn how to be wise in their environments, how to powerfully and elegantly move. They learn basic lua techniques for safety in elevators and cars, in public, at work and at home. These are things for survival. We are weaponizing women today to be educated and knowledgeable on how to navigate through this world. I’ve also been able to teach women that work in high-risk professions: medical, health care, real estate, air travel. And I love working with college students. I’ve actually been asked to work with some of the adult entertainers —strippers — because they are at high risk. How do the women benefit from training? I try to meet my students where they are right now and let them evolve as they evolve. I think having the only female teacher that’s proficient in this art at this time, that accepts all different types of people and not just Hawaiian people, is a benefit. They get to see me manually manipulate men because it is just physics. It doesn’t matter what genitalia we have. Working through hula or getting their foot movements, translating that into lua where it becomes non-contact into full contact — they get to see that it’s possible. They start to learn and manipulate their koa brothers, and they start to really step into their power. What emphasis do you place on the warrior mindset? This is the huku principle in Hawaii. If you give me aloha love, I will reflect that back to you and then some. If you come to me with ill intentions, you will get that back and then some. We need to teach our young ladies and our young boys that if someone touches you, you have the right to touch them back. And it’s time to be wise and use our wisdom so we don’t get ourselves killed or create collateral damage. We step into our space rightfully, how to throw down if we need to. To read more about Michelle Manu, visit MichelleManu.com.

by Andrew Bryan One of the hardest things about training by yourself is a lack of direction. When you have a coach or even a friend to train with, there is someone who puts you through your paces and gets you to train the parts of your martial art that you don’t necessarily like doing. It’s easy to fall into the habits of just training the things you’re already good at, or like doing, and neglecting things you don’t immediately have an interest in. Unfortunately martial arts is kind of like school, and in order to do well on that history test, you need to know all about the parts that bore you to tears. That’s why today I’m providing a very easy structure that anyone can do, that will give them a full workout and plenty of time to work skills. This is intended to be practised for just an hour, and can be used alongside other training plans that I have published on Black Belt in the past. Phase One: Cardio Cardio can suck, and I know plenty of martial artists who will do anything to avoid it. Myself included. It’s a lot easier to skip cardio when it comes at the end of a long session and you’re already tired. That’s why it’s best to start with it and get it out of the way. We start the session with a short 15 minutes of high intensity cardio, this could be running, skipping rope, or whatever you most prefer, for me it’s battle ropes. Set a time for 15 minutes and aim to get to the end of that 15 minutes taking as few a breaks as possible. Once this is complete we can go on to phase two. Phase Two: The Part You Suck At We’re going to prioritize that part of your skillset that you need to work on. It might be a particular kick, throw, combination, or kata, anything that you know you lag behind in. For the next 15 minutes we are going to focus very hard on improving that skill, and we’re going to do it by using the lego method. Break that skill down into small pieces, for example, if it is a throw or a strike, spend five minutes practice the beginning of that throw or strike, whether it’s foot work, or just the wind up to a kick. Do this with maximum focus. If it’s a kata, practice that beginning of the kata thoroughly until you feel it getting more ingrained in your brain. Then for the next five minutes practice the technique as a whole. Do it again and again, with maximum concentration. Then in the final five minutes of this phase, work it into different combinations, for example if you’re struggling with a round kick, practice shadowboxing and working in that round kick that causes you difficulty. If it’s a kata, experiment with different speeds and tempos. Phase Three: The Parts You’re Good At Do what you want. Go nuts. You’ve practiced your weak area for fifteen minutes of intense focus, now it’s time to train your favorite skills and get them sharper, but be sure to keep working that weak skill into your work every so often to gradually introduce that weakened skill into your skillset. Phase Four: Fitness Burnout For the final phase, we’re going to train resistance exercises until we’re suitably burned out. If you’re physically able to, cycle through sets of 10-20 push ups or burpees, followed by the same amount of squats, and sit ups, on a cycle – until the final fifteen minute timer runs out. And you should have a complete workout that will benefit any martial artist. Let me know how it goes!

In the annals of cinematic history, few films have had as profound an impact on popular culture as Enter the Dragon . Released by Warner Brothers in 1973, this martial arts masterpiece not only revolutionized the action genre but also showcased the remarkable African American influence that played a pivotal role in its success. Led by iconic figures like Jim Kelly, Steve Muhammad, and Donnie Williams, members of the Black Karate Federation (BKF), the film resonated deeply within the African American community, encapsulating their struggles and aspirations during a transformative era. A Breakthrough for Representation: During the 1970s, Hollywood was still grappling with the representation of African Americans in mainstream cinema. Enter the Dragon, with its diverse cast and strong African American presence, broke the barriers that had long confined black actors to stereotypical roles. Jim Kelly, in his portrayal of the charismatic and skilled martial artist Williams, became a symbol of empowerment for black audiences, showcasing a positive and dynamic black character on the big screen. His memorable lines and electrifying fight scenes left an indelible mark on moviegoers, and Kelly's role served as a turning point for African American representation in cinema. Check out the Promo for UASE 11 (more details in links at the end of the article) The Black Karate Federation: Enter the Dragon not only elevated the visibility of African American actors but also highlighted the contributions of the Black Karate Federation. Comprised of talented martial artists such as Steve Muhammad and Donnie Williams, the BKF played a crucial role in shaping the film's action sequences and adding an authentic touch to the martial arts combat. Their expertise and dedication brought a level of realism to the fight scenes, further enhancing the film's impact and captivating audiences worldwide. Identification with Struggle: Beyond its cinematic achievements, Enter the Dragon resonated with the African American community on a deeper level. At a time when black Americans were fighting for equal rights and social justice, the film struck a chord by featuring a multicultural cast that stood together against a common enemy. Bruce Lee's character, Lee, represented an outsider fighting against a corrupt establishment, paralleling the experiences of African Americans striving for equality. The struggle against oppression and the quest for justice depicted in the film mirrored the challenges faced by the African American community, providing a source of inspiration and empowerment. Legacy and Impact: Enter the Dragon's cultural impact extended far beyond the silver screen. The film became a touchstone for African Americans, embodying the strength, resilience, and determination necessary to overcome adversity. It inspired countless individuals to pursue martial arts, fostering a sense of discipline and self-confidence within the community. Furthermore, the success of the film demonstrated the marketability of African American talent and contributed to the broader diversification of Hollywood's storytelling. Enter the Dragon remains a landmark film in the history of African American cinema, standing as a testament to the immense influence and contribution of the African American community. By showcasing talented actors like Jim Kelly and involving the Black Karate Federation, the film broke down barriers and ignited a sense of pride and empowerment among African Americans. Its themes of struggle and triumph resonated deeply within the community, offering hope and inspiration during a pivotal time in American history. Enter the Dragon continues to be celebrated as a testament to the transformative power of representation and the indomitable spirit of the African American experience. This article was provided by the team at Urban Action Showcase. Website : https://www.urbanactionshowcase.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UrbanActionShowcase/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UASInternationalActionFilmFestival Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/urbanactionshowcase/