Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
PFL 1: 'Pettis vs. Collard' Live Results and Highlights
Cole Shelton - April 23, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns for their first event of 2021 with PFL 1. The fight card features the featherweights and lightweights and in the main event, Anthony Pettis battles Clay Collard. Anthony Pettis (24-10) is riding a two-fight winning streak and signed with the PFL after fighting out his UFC contract. The former UFC lightweight champ earned decision wins over Alex Morono and Donald Cerrone after being submitted by Diego Ferreira and losing a decision to Nate Diaz. In his career, “Showtime” holds notable wins over Stephen Thompson, Michael Chiesa, Charles Oliveira, Benson Henderson, and Gilbert Melendez.
Photo | Anthony Pettis looks absolutely shredded ahead of PFL debut
Adam D Martin - April 22, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis looks absolutely shredded ahead of his debut with PFL, the Professional Fighters League. Pettis left the UFC following a decision win over Alex Morono and in free agency, it was PFL who made the best offer to him. With the allure of a $1 million grand prize, it was an offer that Pettis couldn’t refuse and so he signed with the PFL. In his first fight with the promotion, he takes on former UFC featherweight Clay Collard on Friday night.
Clay Collard plans to have a "statement" win over Anthony Pettis to prove "he's one of the best"
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2021
Clay Collard is excited to get back into MMA. In 2019 and 2020, Collard had 14 boxing fights and he became a big boxing star for Top Rank. He was beating a ton of top prospects but his goal was to return to MMA and now that the PFL is back, Collard is eager for the chance to show off his complete skill set.
Anthony Pettis wants to box after PFL run, explains Oscar De La Hoya situation
Drake Riggs - April 13, 2021
Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis has his hands full with the upcoming PFL season. However, the groundwork has already been laid for some boxing. After boxing legend Oscar De La Hoya recently announced his return to the ring, Pettis’ manager revealed that the Golden Boy Promotions founder had turned down “Showtime” as his opponent.
David Michaud announces withdrawal from PFL tournament due to heart condition, career in doubt
Adam D Martin - April 8, 2021
PFL welterweight contender David Michaud announced his withdrawal from the PFL tournament due to a heart condition and his career is in doubt. Michaud is a former UFC fighter and current PFL standout who was expected to compete in the promotion’s upcoming welterweight tournament. As part of the regular season, “The Bulldawg” was scheduled to meet former UFC title contender Rory MacDonald in what would have been an awesome fight. Unfortunately for Michaud, he is out of the fight and out of the tournament due to serious health issues that have left his career in jeopardy.
PFL Promotes Loren Mack to Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications
Scott Hernandez - April 7, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced the promotion of Loren Mack to Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, just weeks ahead of the start of the PFL’s upcoming 2021 season, which begins on April 23rd on ESPN 2. Mack is an integral part of a broader executive team that is poised for excellence as they continue to work towards the growth of the PFL brand around the globe.
Anthony Pettis weighs in on his upcoming debut with PFL: “I’ve got a target on my back, I’ve already seen it”
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2021
Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis knows that there is a target on his back as he prepares for his big debut with PFL. Pettis is set to battle Clay Collard on April 23 in his season opener as his quest to win the promotion’s lightweight tournament begins. We all know “Showtime” to be one of the most exciting lightweights in the history of mixed martial arts, but at this stage of his career, he still needs to prove to the masses that he has what it takes to succeed.
NFL Icon Ray Lewis narrates 2021 PFL season campaign entitled “MMA’s League Is Back”
Tom Taylor - April 5, 2021
Two-time SuperBowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis lends his distinct and intense voice as he narrates the 60-second promo video for Professional Fighters League or PFL’s kick-off campaign for their 2021 season entitled “MMA’s League Is Back.”
Kenny Florian joins PFL commentary team
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kenny Florian is taking his talents to the PFL commentary booth for the promotion’s third season. Florian, arguably one of the most popular fighters in UFC history, formerly called fights in the Octagon but left the UFC commentary booth a few years ago. He has continued to host the “Anik and Florian” podcast alongside current UFC mic man Jon Anik, as well as provide commentary for the BattleBots television show. But Florian’s calling has always been the fight game, and ahead of PFL’s third season, the promotion has brought him on to call fights. He will do so alongside UFC Hall of Fame Randy Couture and Sean O’Connell.
Antonio Carlos Junior "happy" to sign with PFL after surprise UFC release, expects to submit Tom Lawlor
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2021
Antonio Carlos Junior didn’t think he was fighting for his job at UFC 257. Carlos Junior was making his return to the Octagon after over a year away against Brad Tavares. In the fight, the Brazilian was looking to get the fight to the ground but Tavares managed to keep the contest on the feet and outstrike him to win a decision. After the fight, it was revealed Carlos Junior was released which caught him by surprise.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 32 with Jan Blachowicz, Antonio Carlos Junior, Max Griffin, Grant Dawson, JP Buys, Adrian Yanez
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2021
The 32nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com is here ahead of UFC Vegas 22. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_50564923", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"741163"} });
Fabricio Werdum headlines PFL 3, Kayla Harrison also slated for upcoming card
Adam Martin - March 9, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and women’s champion Kayla Harrison are among those set to compete at the upcoming PFL 3 card. Werdum takes on Renan Ferreira in a heavyweight tournament bout that mark’s the former UFC champion’s PFL debut. Werdum is coming off of a submission win over Alexander Gustafsson in his last fight inside the Octagon, and he takes on Ferreira here, another PFL newcomer. A Team Nogueira member, Ferreira is coming off of a submission win over current UFC heavyweight Jared Vanderaa in LFA. You’d have to imagine that Werdum will be a big favorite to win the fight, but perhaps there’s more to Ferreira than meets the eye.
Claressa Shields thanks Conor McGregor for support, offers MMA star some advice
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2021
Decorated boxing champion Claressa Shields has responded to a message of support from Conor McGregor, and offered the Irishman some advice in return. Shields, a multi-division boxing champion, is gearing up to venture into mixed martial arts under the PFL banner.
PFL announces new signings, including Gleison Tibau
Adam Martin - February 25, 2021
PFL announced several new additions to its upcoming season three rosters with former UFC fighter Gleison Tibau among the new signings. PFL’s third season is set to kick off in April. The promotion did not hold events during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but looks to come back with a bang in 2021 on ESPN+. The promotion recently announced the mostly-complete rosters for the six weight classes it will hold tournaments for this year, but there were several noticeable spots on the roster that were labeled as “TBD.” The promotion is now ready to announce who will fill in those last few spots in the season three PFL tournaments. Check the signings out below.
Video | Get to know PFL's Ray Sefo
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
Ray Sefo is both a legend of the kickboxing ring, and a key executive at The Professional Fighters League (PFL).
PFL announces first-round featherweight, lightweight matchups, including debut of Anthony Pettis
Tom Taylor - February 23, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the first-round matchups for its featherweight and lightweight seasons—including the league debut of former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. The league unveiled its first-round featherweight and lightweight fights, all of which will go down on the PFL 1 event on April 23, on Tuesday morning.
Fabricio Werdum, Kayla Harrison highlight PFL heavyweight and women's lightweight brackets
Adam Martin - February 9, 2021
Fabricio Werdum and Kayla Harrison are among the fighters in the upcoming PFL season three men’s heavyweight and women’s lightweight brackets. PFL’s third season kicks off in April and the promotion has been busy in the last week releasing the rosters for its light heavyweight, welterweight, lightweight, and featherweight rosters. On Tuesday, PFL released the rosters for heavyweight and women’s lightweight. Among the participants in these tournaments are former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and women’s star Kayla Harrison.
Cris Cyborg responds after Kayla Harrison accuses her of not “signing on the dotted line”
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2021
Cris Cyborg has issued a response after potential opponent and PFL star Kayla Harrison claimed she didn’t “sign on the dotted line” when given the chance to fight her last year. In 2020 there was a great deal of speculation surrounding the future of Cyborg and where she’d end up going next, with PFL reportedly being in the running to secure her signature. In the end, though, Bellator was her chosen destination.