Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Paul Hughes is confident that his rematch against Usman Nurmagomedov will happen
Harry Kettle - May 1, 2025
PFL star Paul Hughes is confident that a rematch against Usman Nurmagomedov will happen at some point in the near future. When it comes to Irish MMA, there are few bigger names right now than Paul Hughes. Yes, you’ve got Conor McGregor and Ian Machado Garry, but, Paul Hughes is really carving out a name for himself these days in one ways than one. The fight that really helped him get to that next level came against Usman Nurmagomedov, when he took the champion to the limit and came close to claiming the belt.
Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra signs with PFL, set to debut in May
Cole Shelton - April 25, 2025
Former Manchester United superstar Patrice Evra will be making his MMA debut. The PFL announced they signed Evra, and he’s set to make his debut at PFL Paris on May 23. The event will take place at the Accor Arena.
PFL star Dakota Ditcheva pleads with promotion to get her a fight: "Get me anything"
Cole Shelton - April 17, 2025
PFL superstar Dakota Ditcheva is not happy with the promotion as she’s searching for a fight. Ditcheva won the PFL’s flyweight tournament as she beat former UFC title challenger Taila Santos by TKO in the finals. It was a stellar year for Ditcheva, who looked to become the face of the PFL. However, she last fought in November and has nothing on the books as he’s frustrated she doesn’t have anything booked.
PFL executive doubts Jake Paul will ever actually fight in MMA: "He's not going to fight anybody"
Josh Evanoff - April 1, 2025
PFL executive Dan Hardy doesn’t believe Jake Paul will ever step into the cage. ‘The Problem Child’ hasn’t been seen in action since his high-profile meeting with Mike Tyson in the boxing ring last year. That bout saw the 28-year-old dominate the heavyweight legend thirty years his senior, outboxing him en route to a lopsided decision victory. Following the win, Jake Paul called for a longshot bout with Canelo Alvarez. While the Mexican star entered talks with him, he instead signed a deal to fight Terence Crawford under Turki Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season banner.
Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader parts ways with the PFL
Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2025
Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is now a free agent after parting ways with the PFL. There are few fighters who benefited from leaving the UFC more than ‘Darth’. After eight years under Dana White, Ryan Bader left in favor of Scott Coker and Bellator in 2016. Quickly, the light-heavyweight wrestler found success. Bader won gold in his first night in the promotion, scoring a split-decision win over Phil Davis. He would follow that up with a title defense against Linton Vassell, before heading up to heavyweight.
Rico Verhoeven reveals talks are ongoing for fight against Francis Ngannou: "Let's say we're halfway there"
Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2025
GLORY Kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven has revealed talks are ongoing for a fight against PFL champion Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash against Renan Ferreira in the PFL cage last October. Fighting for the first time since his destructive knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in March, Francis Ngannou handed ‘Problema’ a first-round stoppage loss. The bout was his first time stepping into the cage since his win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022, his final UFC appearance.
Paul Hughes responds to Josh Thomson's recent criticism of the PFL: "It's become a trend to hate on them"
Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2025
PFL lightweight contender Paul Hughes has responded to Josh Thomson’s recent comments. It’s not exactly a secret that the PFL is in a bit of a strange spot at the moment. The Donn Davis-led promotion famously bought Bellator in late 2023, signaling a big move for the company. However, their 2024 offering was a bit of a mixed bag. While names such as Dakota Ditcheva continued to rise, many, many fighters were unhappy. Names such as Patricio Pitbull, Gegard Mousasi, Austin Vanderford and more, all requested and were granted their releases.
Josh Thomson calls out PFL, says he has no faith they can be a top promotion: "They don't know the sport"
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025
Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson isn’t a fan of the PFL. Thomson has been retired since 2020, despite not fighting since 2017. Since then, he has gotten into commentary as he was an analyst for Bellator and even did some commentary for the PFL. Yet, he says after being around the PFL he realized they won’t be a top promotion, especially with how they are run.
Cris Cyborg names next potential PFL opponent after recent knockout win in boxing: "It'll be in the fall"
Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2025
PFL Superfights women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg hopes to return to the cage in the fall. The 39-year-old is fresh off an appearance in the boxing ring earlier this month. Over the weekend, Cris Cyborg scored a second-round knockout win over Karen Fernandez, in her fifth professional boxing match. Fresh off that stoppage victory, the PFL champion is turning her attention to a return to the cage.
Former UFC star blasts PFL over Aaron Pico contract debacle: 'Let the f****** kid go'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025
One ex-UFC fan favorite has an axe to grind with PFL over its treatment of Aaron Pico. It’s no secret that the UFC brass are interested in Pico. During a recent press conference, Dana White told reporters that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby has been gushing over the 28-year-old star. The only problem is that Pico is under PFL contract.
Aaron Pico vows to never fight for PFL again due to feud with Donn Davis: "I haven't been able to work!"
Josh Evanoff - February 19, 2025
Hard-hitting featherweight star Aaron Pico never wants to fight for the PFL again. The 28-year-old is hitting his prime right now, having won nine of his last ten bouts. He was last seen in the cage at the PFL vs. Bellator event last February, scoring a first-round knockout win over Henry Corrales. While Aaron Pico hoped to book a title fight against Patricio Pitbull next, that bout never came to fruition.
Usman Nurmagomedov reveals he was sick leading up to PFL title fight against Paul Hughes: "I was at 50 percent"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2025
PFL lightweight star Usman Nurmagomedov is opening up on his close title fight with Paul Hughes. The two lightweights faced off in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1 last month in Dubai. In what will likely go down as the final Bellator title fight, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes went to war. Despite the Russian entering the cage as a huge betting favorite, ‘Big News’ gave the champion all he could handle.
Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix again demands his release from the PFL: "Support my family"
Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2025
Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix still wants out from the PFL. ‘War Ready’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since an appearance at Bellator Champions Series 2 in May. Back for the first time since unifying bantamweight gold with a submission win over Sergio Pettis the previous year, Patchy Mix met Magomed Magomedov. There, the champion scored a split-decision win, his second over ‘Tiger’.
Khabib Nurmagomedov backs Paul Hughes in Irish beef with Conor McGregor: "You are a real Irishman"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
Khabib Nurmagomedov has sided with PFL prospect Paul Hughes in his war against Conor McGregor. ‘Big News’ returned to the octagon in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1 last Saturday. In the main event of the Dubai-based card, Paul Hughes met Usman Nurmagomedov. The event heavily played into the Dagestan vs. Ireland rivalry, given the champion’s relation to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Former Bellator featherweight James Gallagher becomes the latest to secure his PFL release: "This is not the end"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
Former Bellator featherweight contender James Gallagher has been released from the PFL. It’s not exactly a secret that the Donn Davis-led promotion has had a mixed few months. In late 2023, the PFL bought out Bellator, vowing to have a bigger schedule for 2024. Initially, there was a lot of excitement from fans and fighters alike. With a new streaming deal on MAX, the signing of free agents such as Francis Ngannou, and a $100 million investment from Saudi Arabia, the company had momentum.
Paul Hughes saddened by Conor McGregor's recent insults against him following PFL title fight: "Kind of a sad thing"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
PFL lightweight star Paul Hughes doesn’t care about Conor McGregor’s recent tirade. ‘Big News’ returned to the cage on Saturday night in Dubai. Back for the first time since defeating former Bellator champion A.J. McKee in October, Paul Hughes finally met Usman Nurmagomedov. The undefeated Russian is a cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and the PFL played heavily into the Dagestan/Ireland rivalry heading into the event.
Paul Hughes speaks out on close decision loss to Usman Nurmagomedov: 'I thought it was mine'
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Paul Hughes has spoken out following his loss against Usman Nurmagomedov. Hughes and Nurmagomedov put on a classic in the main event of PFL Champions: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight Championship was on the line inside the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Hughes showcased effective takedown defense and was highly competitive against the 155-pound champion, but it wasn’t enough, as he dropped a majority decision.
Usman Nurmagomedov dismisses immediate rematch with Paul Hughes following instant classic
Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025
Usman Nurmagomedov isn’t gung-ho over the idea of fighting Paul Hughes again anytime soon. Nurmagomedov and Hughes shared the cage this past Saturday in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight Championship was at stake. Many wondered how Hughes would handle the champion’s grappling in this one. The Irishman put forth a brilliant effort, matching Nurmagomedov throughout the five rounds of highly competitive action.