Jackpot in Vegas: Bowers Wins Gold, Moyer Secures Spot in Sin City Thriller

The road to PGF Season 9 reached its final, dramatic conclusion this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hosted by the Las Vegas Kings at Carlson Gracie Henderson, the final qualifier of the 2026 preseason didn't just fill the last spot on the roster—it kicked the door down and demanded a second one.

In a storyline fit for the Vegas strip, Season 8 veteran JJ Bowers claimed the official gold, but it was the gritty, undeniable run of Brett Moyer that forced Commissioner Brandon McCaghren's hand. For the first time this season, two Golden Tickets were punched in a single night.

The Main Event: A Tale of Two Finals

The final showdown was a masterclass in PGF drama. JJ Bowers, looking dominant and physically imposing all day, entered the finals undefeated. Standing across from him was Brett Moyer (10th Planet Las Vegas), a man who had clawed his way back from the consolation bracket with a chip on his shoulder.

Because Bowers was undefeated, Moyer had to beat him twice. He didn't blink. In the first match, Moyer shocked the room, securing a Straight Ankle Lock Break at the 1:10 mark, handing Bowers his first loss and resetting the bracket.

The second match—for all the marbles—was a grueling, tactical war. With the energy in the room at a fever pitch, Bowers made the adjustments, using his heavy top game and wrestling to shut down Moyer's leg entries. After six minutes of high-stakes grappling, JJ Bowers earned the victory via Decision, officially taking the gold medal.

But the performance of the night could not be ignored. In the post-fight interview, the announcement dropped: Both men are going to the show.

Bowers Returns to the Big Leagues

JJ Bowers is no stranger to the PGF tank, and he played like a veteran who refused to be denied. His path to the final was highlighted by a terrifying Rear Naked Choke Kill on Noah McCully in the semifinals.

The Stat: Bowers proved he can win in every phase—grinding out decisions against wrestlers like Tim Bova and securing Kills against dangerous leg lockers. He enters the draft as a proven commodity with a chip on his shoulder from Season 8.

Moyer's "Iron Man" Run

Brett Moyer's day was the definition of resilience. After an early loss to Noah McCully in the quarterfinals, Moyer was sent to the shark tank of the consolation bracket. Most athletes would fold; Moyer accelerated. He rattled off four straight wins to reach the final, including a lightning-fast 48-second Toe Hold vengeance victory over McCully in the consolation final.

Moyer's Hit List:

The Headhunter: Noah McCully

While he didn't leave with a ticket, Noah McCully (10th Planet Jiu Jitsu Grants Pass) was the human highlight reel of the day. Dubbed the "Barry Bonds of Jiu Jitsu" by the commentary booth, McCully didn't just win matches; he deleted opponents.

Speed Demon: McCully logged a 10-second Heel Hook (the fastest of the day) and a 17-second submission earlier in the bracket.

The Takeaway: McCully is a finisher of the highest order. If he doesn't get a call-up this season, he is undeniably a future star of the league.

The Dark Horse: Tim Bova

The most intriguing storyline of the "Field" was Tim Bova (Precision Boxing & MMA). A lifelong wrestler with only one year of Jiu Jitsu experience, Bova terrorized the bracket with high-amplitude suplexes and an unshakeable base. He took JJ Bowers to the limit in the semifinals and proved that high-level wrestling combined with the PGF's aggression-first rule set is a recipe for success.

The Roster is Set

With the Las Vegas Qualifier in the books, the field for PGF Season 9 is officially locked. JJ Bowers and Brett Moyer join the elite club of qualifier winners:

The scouting reports are done. The Golden Tickets are punched. All eyes now turn to February 4th for the PGF World Draft, where the captains will battle to secure these killers for their squads.

Next Up:

PGF World Draft: February 4, 2026 (Live on YouTube)

Season 9 Kickoff: March 4, 2026 (Las Vegas, NV)