High above sea level and steeped in frontier resolve, Salt Lake City has always demanded more from the men who dared to test themselves there. Long before sold-out arenas and television lights, this was a place shaped by grit—by cowboys who learned quickly that survival in the mountains required toughness, adaptability, and an unshakable will.
That same spirit defined Stop No. 8 of the 2026 PBR Unleash The Beast Series, presented by Busch Light, as the tour arrived in Utah, where altitude became a factor and mistakes were punished instantly. Inside the Delta Center, the toughest athletes in sports collided with a city that never promised comfort—only opportunity. Friday night, January 6, made one thing clear: in Salt Lake City, eight seconds were never guaranteed, and the margin for error was razor thin.
Takeaway No. 3: Daylon Swearingen’s Night Was Defined by Effort, Not Outcome
One of the most telling performances of Friday night belonged to Daylon Swearingen, even though it did not result in a qualified ride. Swearingen initially earned a re-ride after putting forth a gritty effort aboard Big Country, battling his way to 7.3 seconds before coming up just short of the whistle.
He answered the call again on the re-ride, nodding his head aboard Montana Jacket, where he once more committed fully before being bucked off at 5.55 seconds. While the scoreboard offered no reward, the effort was unmistakable. Across both outs, Swearingen rode with urgency, determination, and purpose—competing the right way when the outcome refused to cooperate.
Takeaway No. 2: Alex Cerqueira Set the Pace with Purpose
When the dust settled on Friday night, Alex Cerqueira stood alone at the top—and it was no accident. Drawing Stryker, Cerqueira delivered the round’s defining moment, putting together a controlled, confident ride that earned 88.90 points and secured the go-round win. In a building where altitude quietly tested stamina and rhythm, Cerqueira never looked rushed, matching Stryker jump-for-jump with patience and precision.
Takeaway No. 1: Opportunity Created Pressure—and the Contenders Answered
With Dalton Kasel, Sage Kimzey, and José Vitor Leme sidelined for the weekend, Friday night in Salt Lake City presented a rare opening near the top of the world standings.
John Crimber, aboard Snappy, delivered an 84.00-point ride, while Clay Guiton capitalized with an 87.60-point effort on Uncle Doc, as both riders made the whistle and collected valuable round points when opportunity demanded execution.
Friday Night Was Another Edition of the Monster Energy Team Challenge to Go Along with Stop No. 8 of the Unleash The Beast Series
Friday night on the Unleash The Beast Series also gave fans an up-close and personal look at the Monster Energy Team Challenge, offering a preview of what the PBR Camping World Team Series will bring later this summer.
The format was direct and unforgiving—four-on-four, with several riders facing must-ride scenarios. Miss the whistle, and the weekend ended immediately.
One of those moments came when Cleber Henrique Marques drew Johny Dang, coming down at 1.91 seconds. Another followed when JaCauy Hale matched up with Irish Goodbye, only to be bucked off at 4.00 seconds, ending his night.
With only nine qualified rides recorded across the entire evening, the challenge underscored just how difficult conditions were. As Friday night closed, opportunity still lingered—and before anyone could catch their breath, Championship Saturday night had arrived.
Top 12 Headed into Championship Saturday Night
Round 1 Standings (After Friday Night):
1. Alex Cerqueira — 88.90
2. Paulo Eduardo Rossetto — 87.75
3. Clay Guiton — 87.60
4. Mauricio Gulla Moreira — 87.35
5. Julio Cesar Marques — 86.05
6. Daniel Keeping — 85.40
7. John Crimber — 84.00
8. Brady Fielder — 83.45
9. Alan de Souza — 82.35
The Door Was Left Wide Open in Salt Lake City
Utah’s own Keyshawn Whitehorse came down early, while the return of Jess Lockwood ended just shy of the whistle at 7.90 seconds—a reminder that 7.90 is not 8.00, and no matter how accomplished a rider may be, bulls cannot read a résumé.
With so much of the season’s money and points concentrated later at Fort Worth, Dickies Arena, and Cowtown, Friday night served as an early reminder of how short—and strategic—the Unleash The Beast season truly is.
Top Three Takeaways — Round 2 & Championship Saturday Night (January 7, 2026)
Takeaway No. 3: Even Champions Feel the Weight of the Moment
Seeing Kaique Pacheco, the 2018 PBR World Champion, qualify for his first Championship Round of the season in Salt Lake City was nothing short of jarring—especially considering the standard he has set throughout his career.
Matched up against Claude Dallas, Pacheco answered the call with authority, delivering an 87.80-point ride when it mattered most.
That score did more than just get him to the Championship Round on Saturday night—it injected momentum, restored confidence, and reasserted his presence among the sport’s elite at a moment when every ride carries consequence. Reputation guarantees nothing. Every rider, no matter how decorated, must earn it again—one bull at a time.
Takeaway No. 2: Rossetto Rose When the Moment Demanded It
When Championship Saturday night arrived, Paulo Eduardo Rossetto delivered the defining ride of the event. Matched up with Scrappy, a bull raised by Gene Baker of Homestead Genetics, Rossetto put together a poised, powerful performance that earned 88.90 points and sealed the event win in Salt Lake City.
It marked the second Unleash The Beast event victory of Rossetto’s career and showcased his ability to rise when the stakes were highest.
Meanwhile, John Crimber, who entered the Championship Round leading the aggregate, was bucked off Oyster Creek Brawler at 1.82 seconds, a stark reminder of how quickly momentum can turn in this sport.
Takeaway No. 1: A New No. 1 Emerges—At a Cost
Congratulations are in order for the new No. 1 bull rider in the world, John Crimber. While Crimber did not record a score in the Championship Round after coming down early aboard Oyster Creek Brawler, the body of work he put together throughout the weekend in Salt Lake City proved decisive. With Dalton Kasel sidelined due to injury, Crimber’s consistency and execution leading up to the final round were enough to propel him to the top of the world standings.
That achievement, however, came amid visible concern. Crimber exited the arena clearly sore, moving gingerly after the final out. Even more troubling, Clay Guiton was backboarded and transported from the arena—an image that brought the entire building to a halt and served as a sobering reminder of just how unforgiving this sport can be.
For updates on the injury status of Crimber, Guiton, or any of your favorite riders, visit www.pbr.com in the coming days for official information.
My thoughts and prayers are with John, Clay, and the entire roster. The healthier this field is, the better bull riding becomes—for the riders, the fans, and the sport itself. Every event matters on the road to Fort Worth, because qualifying is the first battle. But once you’re there, every opportunity must be seized. Here’s hoping for quick recoveries and full strength when it matters most—because that’s when championships are truly won.
Congratulations to Round Two Winner — John Crimber
Congratulations to John Crimber for delivering the round’s top ride in Round Two inside the Delta Center. A defining moment in Salt Lake City, Crimber’s championship-caliber performance aboard Sucker Pop earned 90 points, the highest score of the round.
Top Five Finishers — Salt Lake City
3-Head Aggregate Scores
1. Paulo Eduardo Rossetto — 176.65
2. John Crimber — 174.00
3. Alex Cerqueira — 173.85
4. Brady Fielder — 169.80
5. Maverick Smith — 169.50
World Points Earned
1. Paulo Eduardo Rossetto — 126
2. John Crimber — 92
3. Alex Cerqueira — 72.5
4. Maverick Smith — 47
5. Brady Fielder — 44
Final Event Results — Stop No. 8 | Salt Lake City, Utah
Didn’t see your favorite bull rider compete?
Or maybe you’re more of a fan of the bulls and wanted to see how they stacked up against the best riders in the world in the toughest sport on earth.
Click HERE for complete event results from Salt Lake City as the Unleash The Beast Series heads to Stop No. 9.
Updated 2026 PBR Unleash The Beast World Standings After Stop No. 8 — Salt Lake City, Headed Into Stop No. 9 in Pittsburgh
Click HERE for the official PBR Unleash The Beast World standings.
Beyond the Dirt
This weekend on the Paramount Plus broadcast, Craig Hummer talked often about riders adapting to the altitude in Salt Lake City. But the deeper truth is this—every bull rider adapts. Every second they are on the back of a bull, they are reading movement, adjusting balance, and making instinctive counter-moves just to stay alive in the moment.
Every single person reading this knows someone who has been there. A friend. A family member. A neighbor. Someone whose life changed because of an accident, an illness, a fall, a stroke, a heart attack, or a moment they never saw coming.
No one should be forced to live life as a window watcher.
Action Trackchairs restore freedom—but at nearly $25,000, they are out of reach for many without help. Midwest Outdoors Adaptability Foundation exists to bridge that gap and restore access, dignity, and opportunity.
To learn how you can help restore freedom and dignity to someone who needs it, visit https://www.moafoundation.org.
Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media