Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Cris Cyborg gives career update: "Financially, I can retire"
Zain Bando - December 5, 2023
Cris “Cyborg” Justino is at a crossroads. The former UFC women’s featherweight champion and current Bellator featherweight champion, Cyborg wants to be part of the newly minted PFL-Bellator merger.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts to the PFL purchasing Bellator: “One sh*tty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches buys another”
Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 3, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White continues to slam the PFL after the rival promotion purchased Bellator MMA. PFL founder Donn Davis told Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” that he feels the move was the quickest and most effective way to have a roster on par with the UFC’s talent pool. Clearly, White feels irritated at the thought of a rival promotion making an effort to raise its profile. White hasn’t been shy in expressing his belief that the PFL-Bellator merger makes no sense.
Ben Rothwell labels UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown a “chained dog” for his comments about the PFL
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2023
MMA veteran Ben Rothwell has called out Matt Brown for remarks he made regarding the PFL-Bellator merger. Over the years, Ben Rothwell has established himself as a fan favorite in combat sports. Between mixed martial arts and bare-knuckle boxing, ‘Big Ben’ has been there and done it all.
'Company Man' Daniel Cormier laughs off PFL's attempt to challenge the UFC: "It's not close!"
Josh Evanoff - November 30, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier knows he’s biased, but he doesn’t see how the PFL can compete. Earlier this month, the Professional Fighters League completed their purchase of Bellator. Following the sale, Donn Davis and other executives stated that the move made them the number two company in the world. Furthermore, they see themselves as a future co-leader of MMA, alongside the UFC.
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
Monday marked a historic day for MMA, as Donn Davis’ PFL and Scott Coker’s Bellator unified to become second-fiddle to the UFC. It also teased speculation about what could be next on the boxing side of things, specifically for former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Donn Davis, who appeared on the latest edition of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani, said there is a possibility of Ngannou fighting Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion.
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 reportedly offers Bellator president Scott Coker "an opportunity to stay on"
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis says they are offering Bellator president Scott Coker an opportunity to stay on if he wants. On Monday, it was announced that PFL has bought Bellator and the promotion has expectations for both brands. According to the press release, the plan is to do a champions vs. champions event in 2024. Also, Bellator will be rebranded to Bellator International Champions Series and will run concurrent to PFL in 2024 with eight one-off events in 2024.
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.
Jake Paul says it’s “a shame” that Dana White isn’t willing to collaborate with PFL for Jones vs. Ngannou: “We share the same media partner?”
Harry Kettle - November 14, 2023
Jake Paul has questioned why Dana White wouldn’t be willing to co-promote with PFL for Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou. It’s well-known that fight fans want to see Jon Jones vs Francis Ngannou. The only problem, of course, is that Jones is signed to UFC, and Ngannou is signed to PFL. Many have suggested that the two promotions could work together on the bout and put on a monstrous co-promotion.
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.