Gabriel da Silva clinches PBR Challenger Series title at South Point Arena
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 6, 2026
Gabriel da Silva
Gabriel Henrique da Silva won the 2026 PBR RAM Challenger Series Championship event in Las Vegas at South Point Arena, and he did it in his U.S. debut. Da Silva sealed the title with an 87.15-point ride on Not Like Us in Round 3 after opening with 87.30 points on Whiplash in Round 1. He then took a quick setback in Round 2, getting bucked off in 1.65 seconds, but the early success and the closing ride were enough to put him over the top. Da Silva finished 2-for-3 at the event and earned a berth in the first four 2027 PBR Unleash The Beast events. The win gave him the event title.
Round-by-round results
Da Silva’s ride on Not Like Us carried the most weight, but the event at South Point Arena featured several strong efforts across the rounds. Marcus Mast set the pace in Round 1 with an 89.10-point ride, the top score of the opening round. Wyatt Nez answered in Round 2 with 87.75 points, taking that round and keeping the pressure on the riders chasing the championship. Wingson Henrique da Silva finished second after riding two bulls, giving the event another strong finish behind the winner. The round results gave the finale a steady rhythm, with early scores building toward the deciding rides and the championship picture tightening as the event moved along.
Velasco championship
João Paulo Velasco was crowned the 2026 PBR RAM Challenger Series Champion with 1,295 points and a 47-for-64 season record, even though he did not compete in the finale. His season total secured the title before the Las Vegas event wrapped up, adding another layer to the championship weekend. Da Silva’s victory in the finale did not change Velasco’s season crown, but it did finish the series with a clear statement from the event winner. The Las Vegas result gave Da Silva the event title and the next-step opportunity in the first four 2027 PBR Unleash The Beast events, while Velasco closed the year as the series champion based on the points he had already banked across the season.
