Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Olivier Aubin-Mercier admits that he felt nothing after winning PFL lightweight tournament: "It's not normal"
Josh Evanoff - November 27, 2023
PFL lightweight tournament winner Olivier Aubin-Mercier knew it was time on Friday night. Over the weekend, ‘The Canadian Gangster’ returned against Clay Collard in the main event of PFL 10. The pay-per-view offering saw the return of names such as Kayla Harrison but featured Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the main event. For his part, he entered the bout riding a nine-fight winning streak and won the previous lightweight season.
Ben Rothwell expresses interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner: “Something like that would be fun”
Susan Cox - November 23, 2023
Ben Rothwell is expressing an interest in fighting Francis Ngannou under the PFL banner. Rothwell (39-14 MMA) parted ways with with UFC in 2022 after 13 years with the promotion. The 42 year old subsequently signed with the BKFC where he holds a record of 2-0.
Kayla Harrison hopeful for Cris Cyborg fight after PFL-Bellator sale: "It feels closer than ever"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
Former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison doesn’t want to jinx it, but she might fight Cris Cyborg. The Olympic judoka is set to return to the PFL Smart Cage this Friday night against Aspen Ladd. Originally slated to face Julia Budd, the fight will be Kayla Harrison’s first in over a year. Famously, she suffered the first loss of her career last time out, suffering a decision defeat to Larissa Pacheco last Fall.
UFC veteran Matt Brown weighs in on the newly announces PFL-Bellator merger: “They’re a distant No. 2, that’s what it is”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2023
UFC veteran Matt Brown has given his thoughts on PFL purchasing Bellator and how they now compare with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Professional Fighters League had acquired Bellator MMA. The two will now operate under the same roof, with PFL vs Bellator events also expected to take place at some point next year.
PFL’s Donn Davis wants Ngannou vs. Wilder to be a "mixed-rules" fight
Zain Bando - November 21, 2023
MMA fighters react to news that the PFL has acquired Bellator: “This is huge for the sport!”
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2023
A parade of past, present and future MMA fighters have reacted to the news that PFL has officially acquired Bellator. Earlier this week, it was announced that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) had officially purchased Bellator. It’s a move that has been heavily rumored for a while and now, it’s been confirmed. PFL’s Donn Davis ironed out some of the details in an appearance on The MMA Hour, but there are still plenty out there who are curious to see how it all goes down.
Jake Paul reacts to the PFL-Bellator merger: "Let's prove it"
Zain Bando - November 20, 2023
Boxing personality Jake Paul has chimed in on the Bellator-PFL merger, which was announced Monday morning by PFL chairman Donn Davis. The two promotions will begin their partnership in 2024. Jake Paul, who boxes Andre August December 15, said he’s excited for the future of MMA and said the timing couldn’t be more perfect.
Donn Davis eyeing PFL vs. Bellator championship card for February: "Best card possible"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
PFL executive Donn Davis is hoping to see his best face Bellator’s early next year. Earlier today, the Bellator-PFL sale was made official. Throughout much of this year, the two companies were in talks, especially after Showtime made the decision to drop combat sports. While already rumored, the announcement this fall made Donn Davis and others get this deal finalized.
PFL founder Donn Davis believes Dana White is "worried" about their promotion
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis thinks UFC CEO Dana White is worried about his promotion. The PFL announced on Monday that they bought Bellator in a massive deal that will change the landscape of MMA. Although the UFC is still the top promotion in MMA, Davis believes the PFL has White nervous that they can challenge them for the top spot.
PFL officially acquires Bellator MMA: “Our fighter roster is equal to UFC”
Susan Cox - November 20, 2023
The PFL has officially acquired Bellator MMA, and in doing so has stated, ‘Our fighter roster is equal to UFC’. The news of the merger has been in the works for months, but now is a done deal and the Professional Fighters League has officially acquired Bellator MMA.
PFL reveals pay-per-view price for their ‘2023 World Championship’ event
Harry Kettle - November 20, 2023
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced their pay-per-view price for their 2023 World Championship event. The PFL World Championship card will take place at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. on Friday night. On the card, we will see the crowning of six divisional champions who will all receive a fee of $1 million for their victory. In addition to that, we’ll also see the return of Kayla Harrison to the cage.
Patricky Pitbull unsure Bellator lightweight tournament will continue after PFL sale: "Losing $2 million"
Josh Evanoff - November 17, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull is just as unsure of the company’s future as anyone. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Roberto de Souza in July. That was a nice rebound win for Patricky Pitbull, having lost his lightweight gold to Usman Nurmagomedov in his prior outing. With the win at Bellator X RIZIN 2, he advanced to the lightweight Grand Prix semifinals.
Jake Paul believes Nate Diaz rematch will still happen: "He's going to need or want the money"
Josh Evanoff - November 15, 2023
Jake Paul is confident that he will meet Nate Diaz again, either in the PFL or in the boxing ring. ‘The Problem Child ‘recently booked his return to the ring for next month in Orlando. There, Jake Paul will face professional boxer Andre August, who enters the matchup holding a 10-1-1 record. Famously, the YouTuber was last seen in August, scoring a unanimous decision win over Nate Diaz.
Dana White reacts to the idea of cross promoting Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles - November 12, 2023
It is quite clear that UFC CEO Dana White has no plans doing business of any kind with PFL MMA. Francis Ngannou’s stock has soared in the world of boxing after he went the distance with Tyson Fury. He almost defeated Fury at his own game. While Ngannou is enjoying great success outside of the UFC, one of the downfalls is that the lone appealing MMA fight for him is against Jon Jones.
Julia Budd released from PFL after she "refused to fulfill her contractual obligation" for fight with Kayla Harrison
Cole Shelton - November 9, 2023
Former Bellator featherweight champion Julia Budd has been released from the PFL. Budd was expected to face Kayla Harrison at the PFL World Championships later this month, but it was announced the Canadian was out and replaced by Aspen Ladd. There was no reason for Budd’s withdrawal but now PFL CEO Peter Murray revealed the Canadian has since been released from the promotion.
Aspen Ladd replaces Julia Budd, will face Kayla Harrison at 2023 PFL Championships
Josh Evanoff - November 8, 2023
PFL’s World Championship card has taken a bit of a turn, as Kayla Harrison will now face Aspen Ladd. The former tournament winner has been out of action for a year, last competing at PFL 10 last Fall. That night, Kayla Harrison suffered the first loss of her career in her trilogy bout with Larissa Pacheco. While the former Judoka had hoped for a future bout with Cris Cyborg, that was blown up for the moment.
Israel Adesanya explains why he wants to see Francis Ngannou fight in MMA next: “I just want to see him use all f*cking limbs”
Harry Kettle - November 7, 2023
Israel Adesanya has explained why he wants to see his close friend Francis Ngannou compete in MMA for his next fight. Last month, Francis Ngannou went toe to toe with Tyson Fury in his first pro boxing match. It was an intriguing, competitive affair, and in the end, Fury was the one who edged out a decision win. In equal measure, though, Ngannou put forward a sensational showing and even managed to drop ‘The Gypsy King’ in the third round.
Coach Eric Nicksick wants the UFC and PFL to set aside their differences and book Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou
Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023
Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick wants the UFC and PFL to work together in order to make Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou happen. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou took Tyson Fury to the limit in his pro boxing debut. He went the distance against ‘The Gypsy King’ and even dropped him, but he wasn’t quite able to get the nod on the scorecards.
PFL founder Donn Davis doubts Francis Ngannou will fight in MMA next: “We’re realists”
Harry Kettle - November 2, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis isn’t convinced that Francis Ngannou’s next fight will be in mixed martial arts. As many of you now know, Francis Ngannou made his professional boxing debut last weekend. He went head to head with Tyson Fury in a blockbuster superfight, and he came insanely close to pulling off a remarkable upset. He dropped the lineal heavyweight champion and was competitive throughout, with many believing he’d done enough to get the nod.