Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
PFL postpones 2020 season due to Coronavirus pandemic
Natasha Hooper - March 31, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has postponed its 2020 season due to COVID-19. The PFL uses a unique, seasonal format, much like the NBA or NHL. While their setup sets them apart from the competition, it can create logistical challenges — especially during a pandemic.
PFL announces more free agent signings, including Tom Lawlor
Adam Martin - March 12, 2020
PFL has announced more signings for its third season, including a pair of former UFC middleweights in Tom Lawlor and Cezar Ferreira. PFL promised it would sign a number of high-profile fighters for its upcoming season back when it announced Rory MacDonald’s signing and the promotion has stayed true to its word. After recently announcing 10 signings of prominent fighters including former UFC standout Olivier Aubin-Mercier, the promotion has now revealed it has inked Lawlor and Ferreira to exclusive deals.
PFL announces 10 new signings for 2020 season
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) promised some new signings for the upcoming 2020 season, and so far, the organization is delivering. On Tuesday, the league officially confirmed 10 new free agent signings, including several UFC veterans and the brother of UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.
Justin Willis signs with PFL
Adam Martin - February 11, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight contender Justin Willis has signed a new contract with PFL and will be part of the promotion’s next heavyweight tournament. Willis signing with PFL was first confirmed by MMAjunkie.com. “Big Pretty” is expected to make his promotional debut later in the spring when their next heavyweight tournament begins.
After brief retirement, UFC veteran Ryan LaFlare looking to sign with PFL and fight Rory MacDonald
Cole Shelton - January 30, 2020
Ryan LaFlare is looking to end his retirement. LaFlare went 7-3 in UFC and headlined a card against Demian Maia and had a notable win over Santiago Ponzinibbio. Yet, he had to end his MMA career after a knockout loss to Anthony Rocco Martin at UFC 229 due to his injuries.
David Michaud says starting pay in PFL is same as UFC
Adam Martin - January 2, 2020
PFL welterweight contender David Michaud says that the starting pay in PFL is about the same as it would be for a newcomer to the UFC. Michaud just fought Ray Cooper III at PFL 2019 Championship and was knocked out in the second round to lose his chance to win $1 million. It ended a nice run for Michaud in his first year in PFL, snapping a three-fight win streak over Glaico Franca, John Howard, and Handesson Ferreira.
Rory MacDonald believes Douglas Lima trilogy is still possible
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Rory MacDonald is no longer a Bellator fighter, having signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2020. While this promotion change has opened the door to some new and exciting matchups for MacDonald, it has seemingly closed the door on a trilogy fight between MacDonald and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima, who are currently tied 1-1 across two previous bouts. Yet MacDonald doesn’t see it that way.
PHOTO | Lance Palmer's father wore an interesting shirt at 2019 PFL Championship
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Last night, Lance Palmer became a two-time Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion, defeating Alex Gilpin by unanimous decision to win the featherweight belt. As usual, Palmer’s father Wayne was in the building to support, and he made a pretty interesting wardrobe choice for his night out. The elder Palmer was visible several times on broadcast. Fans promptly noticed that he was wearing a slightly doctored UFC shirt. Instead of reading Ultimate Fighting Championship, it read Ultimate Farting Championship.
PFL 2019 Championship results: Kayla Harrison, Ray Cooper III win $1M
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) closed out its 2019 season on New Years Eve, meaning another group of fighters pocketed $1M prizes. In the card’s main event, Kayla Harrison won the lightweight championship by dominating Larissa Pachecho to a unanimous decision win.
PFL boss says to expect more free-agent signings after Rory MacDonald
Adam Martin - December 31, 2019
PFL’s CEO says that he expects the tournament-based promotion to make more free-agent signings after recently inking former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald. PFL recently signed MacDonald to a lucrative contract and he immediately became the biggest name on the entire PFL roster. He’s by far the biggest free-agent signing the company has made in its two years of existence.
PFL's Kayla Harrison believes she's 'probably the highest-paid female fighter in MMA right now'
Tom Taylor - December 30, 2019
Former Olympic judoka Kayla Harrison is a little over a day out from a championship clash with Larissa Pachecho. The winner of this bout, which headline the final Professional Fighters League (PFL) event of the year, will pocket a whopping $1M prize. In addition to this $1M prize, which is awarded to the champion of each weight class at the end of each PFL season, Harrison also has a lucrative, long-term contract with the league. She suspects this contract is among the most valuable in all of MMA. At the very least, Harrison believes she is probably the highest paid female fighter in the sport.
Scott Coker sends classy message to Rory MacDonald after Bellator exit
Tom Taylor - December 20, 2019
Earlier this week, news surfaced that former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald had parted ways with the promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Shortly thereafter, Bellator President Scott Coker took to Twitter with a classy message to his former fighter. See it below:
Rory MacDonald on leaving Bellator for PFL: "It seemed like their interest in me kinda died"
Mike Pendleton - December 18, 2019
Former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald made headlines on Monday when it was announced by ESPN that he was leaving Bellator MMA and joining the Professional Fighters League. Following his shocking move, MacDonald joined Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show Podcast and discussed why he left Bellator MMA following his loss to Douglas Lima in October, as his contract expired after that fight.
Rory MacDonald parts ways with Bellator, signs with PFL
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Rory MacDonald has parted ways with Bellator MMA. After a period of free agency, the former Bellator welterweight champion has not signed a new deal with the promotion, and instead inked a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Jake Shields not retired but not looking for fights
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2019
Jake Shields is keeping his options open. The 40-year-old has not fought since October 2018 at PFL 10 when he lost by TKO to Ray Cooper III for the second time in the year. He wanted to try out the tournament format, but at his age, he said he didn’t know if he wanted to fight so often to do it again.
PFL 2019 finals set for New Year's Eve finale in New York City
Adam Martin - November 1, 2019
The finals for all six PFL 2019 tournaments have been officially set for the promotion’s finale, which takes place on New Year’s Eve in New York City. PFL 2019: Week 10 takes place on December 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The event will air live on ESPN.
PFL President confirms interest in Cris Cyborg
Tom Taylor - August 15, 2019
The battle for Cris Cyborg has begun. Weeks removed from her UFC release, the former UFC, Invicta and Strikeforce champion is already being courted by other promotions.
Kayla Harrison says she's 'like a female Khabib but better'
Adam Martin - August 7, 2019
PFL women’s lightweight contender Kayla Harrison is fighting with so much confidence these days. The Olympic gold medalist judoka is a perfect 5-0 in MMA and has gone public in calling for a fight against Cris Cyborg. Now, she is on record comparing herself to arguably the best fighter in the sport, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Harrison was recently interviewed by ESPN and asked who she would compare herself to. She said she believes she’s most like “The Eagle.”