Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Newly crowned PFL champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier hoping to serve as inspiration for other fighters to leave the UFC: "I truly hope they see what’s happening"
Josh Evanoff - December 1, 2022
PFL lightweight tournament champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier hopes UFC fighters are paying attention. ‘The Canadian Gangster’ is fresh off his return against Stevie Ray at PFL 10 last Friday. The bout was the finals of the 155-pound tournament bracket, with the winner receiving one million dollars. In the second round, Aubin-Mercier earned a massive payday with a highlight knockout.
Kayla Harrison admits she is “heartbroken” following her first career loss in MMA: “I fell on my face”
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2022
PFL sensation Kayla Harrison has opened up on her first loss in mixed martial arts to Larissa Pacheco. Last week, in the PFL finals, Kayla Harrison lost to Larissa Pacheco. It served as the third time she’s faced her rival as she attempted to become a three-time PFL champion.
Larissa Pacheco's manger takes aim at Ali Abdelaziz, says he was "cheating" during Kayla Harrison fight: "This kind of stuff has to be stopped"
Cole Shelton - November 28, 2022
Larissa Pacheco’s manager, Alex Davis, thinks Ali Abdelaziz cheated during the PFL main event between Pacheco and Kayla Harrison. During the fight, Abdelaziz passed through the barriers and went into a neutral corner to give Harrison advice. That, of course, is not legal and Davis is not happy with it and during the fight got the commission to stop it.
After PFL championship upset, Larissa Pacheco hoping to face Kayla Harrison in quadrilogy matchup next: "She's winning 2-1"
Josh Evanoff - November 28, 2022
After pulling one of the biggest upsets in MMA history, Larissa Pacheco is ready to do it again. The Brazilian is fresh off her trilogy with Kayla Harrison at PFL 10 last Friday. The pair headlined the promotion’s first foray into pay-per-view, something the Judoka wasn’t happy with. Heading into the third matchup, Harrison was a massive favorite, despite Pacheco riding a five-fight knockout streak.
Cris Cyborg reacts after Kayla Harrison suffers first career loss at 2022 PFL World Championship event
Chris Taylor - November 26, 2022
Cris Cyborg has reacted after Kayla Harrison suffered her first career loss at last night’s 2022 PFL World Championship event. Harrison (15-1 MMA), a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo, put her undefeated MMA record on the line against Larissa Pacheco (19-4 MMA) in the headliner of yesterday’s 2022 PFL World Championship event in New York.
Kayla Harrison reacts after upset loss to Larissa Pacheco in PFL Championship: "I fell flat on my face... it’s going to hurt for a while"
Cole Shelton - November 26, 2022
Kayla Harrison is disappointed in her performance. Harrison suffered her first career loss in the main event of the 2022 PFL Championship as she dropped a decision to Larissa Pacheco. The fight was competitive but Pacheco was able to do enough to stun Harrison and become the new PFL champ.
Video | Muhammad Ali's grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh gets stunning knockout win in MMA debut at PFL 10
Josh Evanoff - November 25, 2022
The Ali name continues to live on in combat sports, as evidenced by the PFL 10 early prelims. Muhammad Ali is known as ‘The Greatest’, and for good reason. His career longevity, and willingness to stand and trade with names such as Joe Frazier and George Foreman have cemented the late boxer as a legend. In many fans’ eyes, he’s indeed the greatest to ever put on the gloves.
Kayla Harrison explains respect behind callouts of Amanda Nunes and Cris Cyborg: "You're the best"
Josh Evanoff - November 25, 2022
PFL women’s lightweight contender Kayla Harrison’s chase for greatness is driving her callouts of other champions. The Judoka is set to headline PFL 10 later tonight on pay-per-view. Standing opposite Harrison will be Larissa Pacheco. The Brazilian is riding a five-fight finishing streak but has already lost twice to the former Olympian by decision.
Stevie Ray plans to be the first person to finish former training partner Olivier Aubin-Mercier to win the PFL lightweight title: "We have both submitted each other"
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2022
Stevie Ray is happy to shut up the doubters as he fights for the PFL lightweight title. Following Ray’s majority decision win over Michael Johnson, it was reported he retired from MMA. Yet, he then told BJPENN.com that he only retired because the UFC released him and went on to sign with the PFL. Ray then ended his two-and-a-half-year layoff but dropped his debut to Alex Martinez. After losing to Martinez, he submitted Anthony Pettis to earn a playoff spot and beat Pettis once again to advance to the finals.
Jeremy Stephens aiming for KO win over Natan Schulte at PFL 10 in honor Anthony Johnson: "The guy knocked people out so they don’t f*cking move"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2022
PFL lightweight contender Jeremy Stephens is itching for a knockout win this Friday. ‘Lil Heathen’ has been out of action since his victory over Myles Price in June. The back-and-forth win was a massive one for Stephens, as it snapped a seven-fight winless streak. He previously lost to names such as Yair Rodriguez, Calvin Kattar, Mateusz Gamrot, and Clay Collard.
Kayla Harrison admits she's annoyed by Larissa Pacheco trilogy fight being on PPV: "I would have liked to promote it better"
Josh Evanoff - November 23, 2022
PFL women’s lightweight contender Kayla Harrison is less than thrilled about her first pay-per-view main event. The Judoka has been out of action since her submission win over Martina Jindrová in August. That victory helped book Harrison to her third-straight PFL tournament final. The championship event is slated to take place this Friday.
Larissa Pacheco expects Kayla Harrison to return for 2023 season after she wins PFL title: "I'm going to win and she will not take that"
Cole Shelton - November 23, 2022
Larissa Pacheco believes she is at her best ahead of her PFL Championship fight against Kayla Harrison. Pacheco fought Harrison twice in 2019 in the regular season and for the inaugural PFL women’s lightweight title with Harrison winning both by decision. Since then, Pacheco believes she is a true lightweight now and has only improved since their first two fights.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier says PFL lightweight title fight against Stevie Ray may be his retirement bout: "I don't know if I have one more year in me"
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2022
Olivier Aubin-Mercier could be fighting for the final time on Friday. Aubin-Mercier is set to face Stevie Ray for the PFL lightweight title in the championship event from the Hulu Theater in New York City. To get to the final, the Canadian beat Natan Schulte and Alex Martinez in the regular season. In the semifinals, he defeated Martinez again to set up the showdown with Ray.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 102 with Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Brendan Loughnane, Stevie Ray, and Larissa Pacheco
Cole Shelton - November 22, 2022
In the 102nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of the 2022 PFL Championship on Friday. We’re first joined by Oliveir-Aubin Mercier (1:57) ahead of his lightweight title fight. Next, PFL featherweight Brendan Loughnane (16:32) comes on. PFL lightweight Stevie Ray (27:07) then joins the show. PFL women’s lightweight Larissa Pacheco (41:22) closes out the program.
Kayla Harrison reveals PFL 2022 Championship Final against Larissa Pacheco will be her final tournament appearance: "It's f*cking hard"
Josh Evanoff - November 3, 2022
Former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison’s time at lightweight is likely coming to an end. The Judoka has been out of action since her submission win over Martina Jindrová in August. The victory moved Harrison to 15-0 in her professional career and also moved her into the 2022 PFL women’s lightweight tournament finals.
Aspen Ladd announces clash with Julia Budd for PFL debut on November 25th: "It's a fighter's dream to fight in Madison Square Garden"
Josh Evanoff - October 12, 2022
PFL featherweight Aspen Ladd is now set for her promotional debut. The 29-year-old has been out of action since her loss to Raquel Pennington in April. That bout wound up being the last in the promotion for Ladd. Following that, she had two failed bookings with former title challenger Sara McMann.
Thiago Santos cities pay dispute as reason for sudden UFC departure to PFL: "The purse is financially better for me"
Josh Evanoff - October 5, 2022
Former UFC title challenger Thiago Santos has explained his sudden departure from the promotion. ‘Marreta’ has been out of action since his bout main event with Jamahal Hill in August. In that showdown, the Brazilian suffered a fourth-round TKO defeat. For his efforts in the ‘Fight of the Night’ outing, Santos received a $50,000 bonus.
PFL announces full fight card for their pay-per-view event on November 25
Harry Kettle - September 29, 2022
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the full card for their pay-per-view championship event on November 25. For a long time now, PFL has been teasing a big move to PPV in an attempt to further improve their standing as one of the rising mixed martial arts promotions out there. This November at Madison Square Garden, they’ll be putting on a fantastic showcase with six world title fights and a series of fun match-ups, with each of the main bouts coming with the allure of a potential $1 million in prize money.