Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Former Glory Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe earns nine-second KO in PFL debut (Video)
Chris Taylor - September 30, 2023
Former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe scored a nine-second knockout in his highly anticipated PFL debut this afternoon in Paris. Doumbe (5-0 MMA) squared off with Jordan Zébo (4-1 MMA) on the main card of today’s Professional Fighters League event in France.
Francis Ngannou explains why he signed with PFL over other promotions: "It was day and night"
Josh Evanoff - September 22, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has explained how he found himself in the PFL. ‘The Predator’ has been out of the cage for well over a year, last defeating Ciryl Gane last January. That was famously the last fight on Francis Ngannou’s contract, as he became a free agent following the bout. Quickly, he got into talks with PFL, Bellator, ONE Championship, as well as professional boxers.
Kayla Harrison announces November return against Julia Budd: "I'm back, but different"
Josh Evanoff - September 13, 2023
Former PFL tournament champion Kayla Harrison will return against Julia Budd later this year. The Judoka has been out of action since her trilogy with Larissa Pacheco last November. Despite winning the first two fights with ease, Kayla Harrison suffered the first loss of her career last year. In the main event of PFL 10, she lost by unanimous decision, on the company’s maiden voyage on pay-per-view.
Jake Paul and Nate Diaz go back-and-forth over rejected PFL rematch: "Go back to your daddy Dana"
Josh Evanoff - September 7, 2023
The saga between PFL star Jake Paul and former UFC title challenger Nate Diaz continues. ‘The Problem Child’ returned to the ring last month on DAZN pay-per-view. Back for the first time since a loss to Tommy Fury in February, he faced Nate Diaz. The Stockton slugger last defeated Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 last year, fighting out his deal with the promotion.
Jake Paul celebrates PFL's Saudi Arabia deal as UFC shares plunge: "Big Business"
Josh Evanoff - September 1, 2023
PFL star Jake Paul was happy to see the UFC’s shares fall earlier today. ‘The Problem Child’ has yet to step foot in the cage, but did sign with the company earlier this year. Nonetheless, Jake Paul is fresh off his win over Nate Diaz last month in their high-profile boxing match. Following the victory, the YouTuber called for the rematch to take place in the cage.
PFL reportedly in discussions to buy Bellator for as much as $500 million
Cole Shelton - September 1, 2023
The PFL is reportedly in discussions with Bellator to buy the rival MMA promotion. For months now, it has been reported that Bellator was up for sale. With that, the future of the promotion was uncertain. Bellator president Scott Coker had even confirmed the PFL had reached out to talk about potentially buying the promotion.
PFL sells $100 million dollar minority ownership stake to Saudi Arabia's PIF
Josh Evanoff - August 30, 2023
The PFL is the latest sports organization to get a massive investment from Saudi Arabia. Over the last few months, the promotion has been vocal about their desire to challenge the UFC. To their credit, they’ve signed some massive names to make that a reality. In 2023 alone, the PFL has signed free agents such as Francis Ngannou, Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, Savannah Marshall, and more.
Female boxing champion Savannah Marshall signs shocking deal with the PFL
Josh Evanoff - August 22, 2023
Women’s super-middleweight champion Savannah Marshall is headed to MMA and the PFL. ‘Silent Assassin’ is fresh off her return opposite Franchon Crews-Dezurn last month in the U.K. There, Savannah Marshall picked up an important majority-decision win, winning gold in her second weight class. It was also a nice rebound win for the Brit, having dropped a decision loss to Claressa Shields last year.
Jake Paul believes people will claim his MMA fight against Nate Diaz will be "rigged" after he wins
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2023
Jake Paul is confident he will be able to beat Nate Diaz in MMA after defeating him in boxing. Paul picked up a decision victory over Diaz on Saturday in their boxing match. In the lead-up to the fight, Paul had said he would rematch Diaz in the PFL and a $10 million offer was put on the table. After his win, the YouTuber-turned-boxer doubled down on the claim saying he wanted to fight Diaz in MMA.
Nate Diaz opens as gigantic favorite in potential MMA fight against Jake Paul
Cole Shelton - August 7, 2023
Nate Diaz has opened as a massive betting favorite for a potential MMA fight against Jake Paul. Diaz and Paul headlined a boxing pay-per-view on Saturday and it was ‘The Problem Child’ who got a decision win. After the fight, Paul confirmed his desire to rematch Diaz in MMA in the PFL as he wanted to prove he can beat the Stockton native under a mixed martial arts ruleset as well.
Nate Diaz responds to Jake Paul’s $10 million offer for an MMA fight
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2023
Nate Diaz has given his thoughts on Jake Paul’s offer for the two to compete in an MMA fight for $10 million. This Saturday night, Nate Diaz and Jake Paul will collide in the boxing ring. They’ll do so with the world watching and with Diaz making his pro debut after years of teasing a move into the squared circle. Paul, meanwhile, will attempt to bounce back from his recent loss to Tommy Fury.
Francis Ngannou rep claims Jon Jones got “nervous” during faceoff with Francis Ngannou: “This is a different beast that I’m touching”
Harry Kettle - July 21, 2023
Francis Ngannou’s representative Marquel Martin has given his thoughts on the heavyweight’s recent interaction with Jon Jones. Right now, Francis Ngannou must be feeling pretty good about the future. He has signed a lucrative deal with PFL and, in addition to that, he’s also set to enter the boxing ring to take on Tyson Fury. From a financial standpoint, it doesn’t get much more lucrative than that.
Jake Paul reveals $10 million dollar offer to Nate Diaz for future PFL fight: "Offer is still there"
Josh Evanoff - July 17, 2023
Jake Paul is still willing to fight Nate Diaz in the PFL cage after their August boxing match. ‘The Problem Child’ has been out of action since his split-decision loss to Tommy Fury in February. That was the first loss of the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s career thus far. Following the defeat, Jake Paul signaled his next fight would be a rematch with ‘TNT’, but quickly changed course.
PFL hires USADA to test fighters after recent wave of drug failures
Josh Evanoff - July 11, 2023
The PFL has decided to hire USADA after a recent string of drug failures. In April, the company had a series of fighters fail their drug tests in Nevada. Furthermore, it wasn’t just a prelim fighter or two, it was multiple high-profile competitors. Former tournament winners Rob Wilkinson and Bruno Cappelozza tested positive, as did new signee Thiago Santos.
Deontay Wilder gives update on PFL fight with Francis Ngannou: "He knows what the deal is"
Josh Evanoff - June 29, 2023
Boxing star Deontay Wilder is still interested in facing Francis Ngannou in the PFL. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is currently looking to book his return to the boxing ring. Deontay Wilder has been out of the ring since a knockout win over Robert Helenius last Fall. Since then, he’s been linked to several high-profile fights with names such as Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr.
PFL and UFC veteran Stevie Ray announces retirement from MMA
Josh Evanoff - June 26, 2023
PFL lightweight contender Stevie Ray has decided to hang up the gloves for a second time. ‘Braveheart’ is a name that is recognizable to most MMA fans. The Scottish fighter quickly found success in BAMMA, winning lightweight gold. By 2015, Stevie Ray was in the UFC, and racking up multiple high-profile wins. That year alone, he claimed three victories in the octagon.
Raush Manfio's manager slams PFL over regular season suspension: "Just a bad look"
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
Raush Manfio’s manager is none too pleased with the PFL’s decision to suspend his fighter and Natan Schulte from the 2023 regular season. Much has been made over the recent PFL 6 bout between Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte. The two went one-on-one during the preliminary portion of the card. Fight fans got very little action with this one, and it was quite clear that both men hesitated. As it turns out, Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte have a close friendship. Schulte also happens to be the godfather of Manfio’s daughter.
Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio receive suspensions from PFL for substandard performance in Atlanta
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 25, 2023
The PFL has suspended two fighters from the 2023 season. Natan Schulte and Rush Manfio were in action for PFL 6 this past Friday (June 23). The two shared the cage on the preliminary portion of the card. It was a bizarre fight with very little action. Schulte won the bout via unanimous decision.