The PFL 1 mixed martial arts event for the 2023 season of the Professional Fighters League will be held on April 1, 2023, at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. This marked the first regular-season event of the tournament and included fights in the Featherweight and Light Heavyweight divisions.[1][2][3]
The first event of 2023 feature a bout between Brendan Loughnane and Marlon Moraes in the featherweight division. Meanwhile, Rob Wilkinson faced Thiago Santos, a former UFC title challenger, in the co-main event.[2]
A light heavyweight bout between Omari Akhmedov and Will Fleury was expected to take place at the event.[4] However, Akhmedov was forced to withdraw due to suffering an injury and was replaced by Krzysztof Jotko.[5]
Sung Bin Jo was expected to face Jesus Pinedo. However, Jo was not medically cleared and was replaced by alternate Gabriel Alves Braga.
[6]
The PFL points system is based on results of the match. The winner of a fight receives 3 points. If the fight ends in a draw, both fighters will receive 1 point. The bonus for winning a fight in the first, second, or third round is 3 points, 2 points, and 1 point respectively. The bonus for winning in the third round requires a fight be stopped before 4:59 of the third round. No bonus point will be awarded if a fighter wins via decision. For example, if a fighter wins a fight in the first round, then the fighter will receive 6 total points. A decision win will result in three total points. If a fighter misses weight, the opponent (should they comply with weight limits) will receive 3 points due to a walkover victory, regardless of winning or losing the bout; if the non-offending fighter subsequently wins with a stoppage, all bonus points will be awarded.[7]