Opening night of the 2022 PFL Challenger Series is a wrap. 


Eight light heavyweights threw down throughout the evening, with Karl Williams, Bruce Souto, Taylor Johnson, and Josh Silveira earning victories inside the PFL cage. 


But who took home the fancy-fresh PFL contract? 


Immediately, host Julie Stewart-Binks singled out Williams and Silveira, seemingly naming them the two finalists for the contract. 


Rod Serling wrote this script, though, and they hit viewers with a Twilight Zone-level twist. 


After Williams and Silveira stepped forward, Stewart-Binks announced these two fighters were, in fact, eliminated from contention. 


That left Johnson and Souto as the actual finalists. 


Earlier in the evening, Souto knocked out Travis Davis with a first-round flying knee and punches, while Johnson earned a unanimous decision win over Alexander Poppeck. 


These finalists undoubtedly surprised many, as Silveira, a hugely hyped undefeated prospect, submitted Mohamed Juma in their tilt. 


But that result wasn’t enough to sway the celebrity judges –– Ray Lewis, Tyron Woodley, and Jeremy Piven –– tonight. That’s the unique element at play here with the PFL Challenger Series. 


After Silveira and Williams exited the cage, the celebrity panel revealed its pick for the night’s contract. 


Souto’s flying knee reigned supreme for them. 

 


From there, the vote went to the fans at home, and they picked… 


Souto. 


Welcome to the PFL. 


Thanks to a devastating flying knee, Souto earned his spot on the PFL roster as well as an additional $5,000 for the move of the night. 


Not a bad haul on a Friday evening. 


The 2022 PFL Challenger Series returns next Friday, Feb. 25, at 9 PM ET with an action-packed night of welterweight scraps. Don’t miss it.