Professional Fighters League (PFL) News

Josh Evanoff - June 29, 2023

Boxing star Deontay Wilder is still interested in facing Francis Ngannou in the PFL. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is currently looking to book his return to the boxing ring. Deontay Wilder has been out of the ring since a knockout win over Robert Helenius last Fall. Since then, he’s been linked to several high-profile fights with names such as Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.

Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2023

PFL lightweight contender Stevie Ray has decided to hang up the gloves for a second time. ‘Braveheart’ is a name that is recognizable to most MMA fans. The Scottish fighter quickly found success in BAMMA, winning lightweight gold. By 2015, Stevie Ray was in the UFC, and racking up multiple high-profile wins. That year alone, he claimed three victories in the octagon.

Susan Cox - June 26, 2023

The PFL (Professional Fighters League) made it’s return this past Friday, and Shane Burgos was among the top earners. Burgos, 32, left the UFC in 2022 and subsequently signed on with the PFL .

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023

Raush Manfio’s manager is none too pleased with the PFL’s decision to suspend his fighter and Natan Schulte from the 2023 regular season. Much has been made over the recent PFL 6 bout between Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte. The two went one-on-one during the preliminary portion of the card. Fight fans got very little action with this one, and it was quite clear that both men hesitated. As it turns out, Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte have a close friendship. Schulte also happens to be the godfather of Manfio’s daughter.

Cole Shelton - June 20, 2023

Shane Burgos knows his PFL 6 fight against Yamato Nishikawa is do-or-die for his season. Burgos left the UFC last year and proceeded to sign with PFL, competing at lightweight as part of their tournament format. Unfortunately, in his debut, ‘Hurricane’ suffered a decision loss to Olivier Aubin-Mercier. The setback was disappointing, but Burgos is just glad he gets to fight again so soon.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 20, 2023

We now know the outcome of several PFL fighters who were flagged due to failed drug tests. Back in May, the Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed a slew of fighters who competed in the first set of PFL 2023 regular season bouts popped. At the time, some fighters received sanctions, while others were still be to determined. The punishments for those fighters have been finalized and publicly revealed.

Cole Shelton - June 20, 2023

The 127th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of 2023 PFL 6 and UFC Jacksonville aka UFC on ABC 5. We’re first joined by former UFC featherweight and current PFL lightweight Shane Burgos (1:38). Next, UFC welterweight Randy Brown (13:42) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC strawweight Gillian Robertson (28:26).

Harry Kettle - June 19, 2023

The fighter salaries for PFL 5 have been released, highlighting a big gap between Aspen Ladd and her defeated opponent. Following yet another PFL event last week, the promotion is rolling through to the halfway point of their annual season. A parade of big fights took place at the event, in addition to a showdown between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, with one of the biggest names on the card itself being Aspen Ladd.

Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023

Aspen Ladd knows the stakes are high for her 2023 PFL 5 fight against Karolina Sobek. Ladd lost her season-opening fight by a majority decision to Olena Kolesnyk. It was a close fight that Ladd really took over late in the bout, so with that, she knows she needs to start faster and be aggressive out of the gate.

Josh Evanoff - June 13, 2023

PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou has confirmed ongoing talks with Deontay Wilder. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage for well over a year, since his win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022. That victory went down as his last in the octagon, as he became a free agent earlier this year. In March, Ngannou signed with the PFL, ending his MMA free agency.

Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023

The 126th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of 2023 PFL 5, UFC Vegas 75, and CFFC 120 this weekend. We’re first joined by PFL featherweight Aspen Ladd (3:05). Next, UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (11:58) stops by. Former UFC middleweight and current CFFC fighter Kyle Daukaus (28:57) then comes on. UFC bantamweight Miles Johns (44:53) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight Nikolas Motta (57:26).

Susan Cox - June 9, 2023

Brendan Loughnane has issued a statement following his shocking loss to Jesus Pinedo at PFL 4. PFL 4 took place yesterday, Thursday, June 8th at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023

PFL commentator Dan Hardy couldn’t hide his disappointment in seeing Brendan Loughnane get finished last night. Ever since leaving the UFC, Dan Hardy has been a hot commodity. He’s incredibly knowledgable within the industry, he’s passionate, and he’s a fantastic commentator. So, then, it’s no surprise that PFL showed great interest in bringing him over.

Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023

Jesus Pinedo shocked the mixed martial arts world last night by finishing reigning champion Brendan Loughnane at PFL 4. The PFL’s league format certainly makes for some fun drama. Between qualifying for the playoffs and the playoffs themselves, we’ve seen a lot of twists and turns across its existence. Last year, we saw a great story play out at featherweight as Brendan Loughnane finally climbed to the top of the mountain and claimed the $1 million prize.

Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023

Marlon Moraes suffered another knockout loss this evening and subsequently announced his retirement from MMA. Moraes was taking on Gabriel Braga on the prelims of PFL 4 in the second and final regular season matchup for the featherweights. Right away, Braga went after Moraes and appeared to stun him with a hard shot.

Cole Shelton - May 31, 2023

Rob Wilkinson, the reigning PFL light heavyweight champion, has failed a drug test and been removed from the 2023 season. MMAMania was the first to report the news that Wilkinson has been pulled from PFL 4, which takes place on June 8 after failing a drug test following his win over former UFC title challenger, Thiago Santos, at PFL 1 in April.

Cole Shelton - May 30, 2023

UFC Hall of Famer and current PFL commentator, Randy Couture believes the PFL is the clear number two promotion after signing Francis Ngannou. After Ngannou fought out his UFC deal, he made it clear he wanted to box but also wanted to continue his MMA career. After months of negotiating, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League, which was a huge acquisition for the promotion. With that, Couture says this is just the first step in becoming the biggest MMA promotion.

Cole Shelton - May 30, 2023

The 124th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of UFC Vegas 74 this weekend and to talk Francis Ngannou’s signing with the PFL. We’re first joined by UFC Hall of Famer and PFL commentator Randy Couture (1:11). Next, UFC lightweight Jim Miller (20:49) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC featherweight Daniel Pineda (40:31).