Friday Night Takeaways

3. Maverick Smith Delivered a Throwback Performance Built on Relentless Grit

Maverick Smith authored one of the most hard-nosed performances of the 2026 season on Friday night. In an era where riders often weigh strategy against stamina, Smith made it clear he wasn’t in Jacksonville to protect a number — he was there to compete for the top of the round.

Five times he climbed into the chutes and nodded his head. Re-ride after re-ride, he refused to settle. After three trips, many riders would have taken a score and conserved energy. Smith chose otherwise. Each time the opportunity presented itself, he elected to get back on.

It took approximately 30 minutes and five attempts, but when he finally converted aboard Down Payment, he delivered a polished and authoritative 87.50-point ride.

Despite the visible fatigue that naturally accompanies that kind of workload, Smith never allowed exhaustion to compromise his fundamentals. He tracked Down Payment with precision, matching the bull’s direction change for direction change, maintaining strong leg control and balanced upper-body positioning from the nod to the whistle.

The result secured a second-place finish in Round One and 18 critical Unleash The Beast points. In a field where 18 qualified rides were recorded in Round One, that ride represented more than a score – it was a down payment on a position for the Championship Round.

With 18 qualified rides on the board Friday night, nothing was guaranteed. Depending on how Round Two unfolded, it was possible that riders would need to go 2-for-2 to remain inside the Top 12 and advance.

Whether Smith’s five-bull Friday would prove to be momentum-building or physically taxing remained to be seen. But one thing was certain: the performance embodied the kind of old-school toughness that separates competitors from contenders.

2. Sage Steele Kimzey Managed the Moment – While the Standings Shifted Around Him

Seven-time PRCA World Champion Sage Steele Kimzey entered Jacksonville ranked No. 4 in the world standings, sitting 82 points behind the No. 1 position – firmly within striking distance in a race this compressed. On Friday night, he did exactly what elite contenders are expected to do under pressure: he converted.

Matched up with Wall Street TNT, Kimzey delivered a fundamentally sound 87.40-point ride to finish third in Round One, earning 17 valuable Unleash The Beast points. It was composed, calculated, and efficient — a veteran performance that reflected championship discipline rather than unnecessary risk.

From the nod to the whistle, Kimzey maintained clear control. His timing was sharp, his positioning remained centered, and he dictated the tempo of the ride. When a rider demonstrates that level of command, however, there is an opportunity to maximize the judges’ rider score component. Opening up earlier with the outside foot and creating more visible extension can elevate the Rider Over Bull (ROB) score. In a round decided by tenths, that subtle adjustment can be the difference between third and second — and in a championship race, a single point can carry disproportionate weight.

Elsewhere in the round, World No. 2 Dalton Kasel was unable to convert and gave up valuable ground. No. 1 John Crimber, however, responded with an 85.70-point ride aboard Margin of Error, finishing eighth in the round and collecting 12 points to remain inside the Top 12. In a title chase defined by incremental gains and controlled damage, protecting position can be just as critical as climbing.

Jacksonville did not create separation Friday night – it reinforced how narrow the margins remain.

1. Felipe Furlan Closed Friday Night with Authority

Felipe Furlan left no doubt about who owned the top spot Friday night in winning Round One.

Matched up with Elmo, Furlan delivered a technically precise and confident 89.65-point ride to secure the go-round victory. From the nod, he established immediate rhythm, keeping his hips square and his feet working with purpose. As the bull faded across the arena into his hand, Furlan capitalized, opening up and finishing the ride with visible control and separation – the kind judges reward.

There was an element of freedom in the performance – a rider completely in sync with his matchup, enjoying the moment while executing at a high level. His timing was clean, his transitions were sharp, and his spurring motion remained consistent throughout the ride.

In a round filled with quality efforts, Furlan set the standard at 89.65 points to earn 28 critical Unleash The Beast points. It was a statement ride to close Friday night, securing the go-round win and injecting momentum into the rest of his weekend.

Top 12 Standings After Round One (Friday, February 20, 2026)

Felipe Furlan — 89.65 points (28 UTB points)

Maverick Smith — 87.50 points (18 UTB points)

Sage Steele Kimzey — 87.40 points (17 UTB points)

Marco Rizzo — 87.20 points (16 UTB points)

Brady Fielder — 86.90 points (15 UTB points)

Koltin Hevalow — 86.70 points (14 UTB points)

Andrew Alvidrez — 86.65 points (13 UTB points)

John Crimber — 85.70 points (12 UTB points)

Kaique Pacheco — 85.15 points (11 UTB points)

Eduardo Aparecido — 84.65 points (10 UTB points)

Wyatt Rogers — 84.50 points (9 UTB points)

Alan de Souza — 83.85 points (8 UTB points)

As Friday night closed, the Top 12 had officially secured their positions heading into Round Two and Championship Saturday night. With 18 qualified rides recorded in Round One, the cut line tightened immediately. Riders would need to build on Friday’s momentum, because one more qualified ride could be the difference between competing for the event title or watching from the back of the chutes.

Saturday Night Takeaways

3. Alex Cerqueira Capitalized on a Money Bull in Round Two

Alex Cerqueira made the most of his opportunity in Round Two, winning the go-round with an impressive 87.95-point ride aboard Elmo to earn 28 critical Unleash The Beast points.

For seasoned bull riding fans, Elmo is quickly becoming the kind of bull riders circle on the draw sheet. He’s consistent, predictable in the right ways, and offers opportunity – the kind that separates elite technicians from those simply trying to survive. Elmo kicks hard over his head, stays honest, and repeats his pattern without deception. There are no late tricks, no hidden moves. He gives a rider a clean lane to do his job.

When a bull provides that kind of rhythm, the rider’s responsibility increases. Judges evaluate not just whether a rider stays on, but how effectively he demonstrates control and dominance over the animal. That’s where rider-over-bull scoring becomes critical. Elmo gives competitors ample opportunity to open up with the outside foot, create visible extension, and elevate their rider score. Cerqueira did exactly that.

From the nod, he established timing. As Elmo elevated and kicked, Cerqueira was in command, matching him jump for jump, maintaining square shoulders and fluid spurring motion. In a sport where tenths matter, maximizing opportunity on a money bull like Elmo is how riders separate themselves.

2. The Door Opened — And the Bull of the Year Conversation Intensified

Round Two created unexpected movement in the standings when Dalton Kasel uncharacteristically failed to leave the chute before the 30-second clock expired – resulting in an automatic disqualification and a no score.

Kasel’s zero reshuffled the standings and created opportunity for those chasing valuable points.

Then came the Championship Round draft – and one of the most compelling matchups of the weekend.

Man Hater looked outstanding. He was selected first in the draft and drew Maverick Smith in what many considered the premier out of the night. Man Hater posted a 45.80 bull score. A mark, in my opinion, that missed the performance by approximately a full point.

That was the most complete out Man Hater has delivered all season. His elevation, intensity, and forward drive were elite. The timing was sharp. The power was sustained. If he continues performing at that level, he will remain firmly in the conversation to make PBR history as only the third three-time World Champion Bucking Bull – joining Little Yellow Jacket and Bushwacker.

At this level, fractions matter. Bull scoring must reflect impact and degree of difficulty. On Saturday night in Jacksonville, Man Hater delivered an out worthy of slightly more recognition.

1. Sage Steele Kimzey Seized the Moment — And the No. 1 Ranking

There were only five qualified rides in the Championship Round — a pen built to separate contenders from everyone else. In that pressure environment, Sage Steele Kimzey chose Lights Out.

It was the business decision.

Whether entering the draft fourth in the standings or anywhere near the top, Lights Out was the type of bull who offered controlled explosiveness without unnecessary risk — power with rhythm, difficulty without chaos.

Kimzey’s 90.75-point ride stood above the rest of the Championship Round and secured both the round win and the event title. From the nod, Kimzey was square, aggressive, and fully committed to opening up, matching Lights Out jump for jump.

When the dust settled, the math told the story.

Kimzey moved from No. 4 in the world standings all the way to No. 1. In one weekend, Jacksonville reshaped the championship picture.

Congratulations to Sage Steele Kimzey on his second event win of the season and on becoming the No. 1 bull rider in the world on the PBR side of the sport.

Top Five Finishers — Three-Head Aggregate

Sage Steele Kimzey — 261.90 aggregate score | 138 Unleash The Beast points

Alex Cerqueira — 255.20 aggregate score | 101 Unleash The Beast points

Bob Mitchell — 248.85 aggregate score | 68.50 Unleash The Beast points

Felipe Furlan — 179.30 aggregate score | 67 Unleash The Beast points

Cort McFadden — 175.10 aggregate score | 50.50 Unleash The Beast points

Full Event Results

Complete results from Stop No. 10 in Jacksonville can be viewed HERE.

Updated 2026 Unleash The Beast World Standings

When the final out was recorded in Jacksonville, the ripple effects were immediate. The updated 2026 Unleash The Beast World Standings reflected the cumulative impact of two high-pressure nights in Florida — tightening certain gaps, widening others, and clarifying which contenders carried momentum forward.

View the updated standings HERE.

As the tour prepares to head into Stop No. 11 this weekend in Bridgeport, CT, the championship conversation centers on sustainability. The riders who can consistently convert — not occasionally surge — will ultimately dictate the outcome of this remarkably tight title race.

Beyond the Dirt

When the arena lights dim and the dust settles, the fight for freedom doesn’t end for everyone. For many people who are mobility challenged, the real obstacles exist far beyond the chutes. That’s why Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation was created — to ensure that no one is left behind when it comes to accessing the outdoors and the independence it represents. Adaptive all-terrain chairs can completely transform a life, allowing someone to hunt with family again, fish with their kids, navigate trails, or simply move across uneven ground with dignity and confidence.

But there’s a harsh reality: these chairs carry an outrageous price tag of nearly $25,000 each. Most of the individuals who need them are living on fixed incomes, and insurance does not cover them for civilians. For many families, that cost makes freedom feel impossible.

That’s where we step in — and where you can make a difference.

If resilience, opportunity and community mean something to you, we invite you to stand with us. Learn more, get involved, or donate at https://www.moafoundation.org. Freedom should never be reserved for only those who can afford it.