Professional Fighters League (PFL) News

Nate Diaz Jake Paul
Nate Diaz

Nate Diaz responds after PFL executive accuses him of 'hiding' from Jake Paul rematch: "I'm ready to fight tonite"

Josh Evanoff - November 1, 2023

Nate Diaz has responded after PFL’s Donn Davis accused him of hiding from an MMA fight with Jake Paul. The two stars are continuing to trade words on social media, months on from their boxing match. In August, the two headlined a DAZN pay-per-view offering, in Nate Diaz’s boxing debut. The longtime UFC star had discussed a potential move to the ring and found a suitable opponent in Jake Paul.

Deontay Wilder Francis Ngannou
Eric Nicksick

Eric Nicksick doesn't want to see Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder in MMA: "It would be a quick night!"

Josh Evanoff - November 1, 2023

Eric Nicksick has explained why he’s not a big fan of Francis Ngannou vs. Deontay Wilder in the PFL. ‘The Predator’ is fresh off his boxing debut earlier this month against Tyson Fury. In Saudi Arabia over the weekend, Francis Ngannou suffered a split-decision defeat to ‘The Gypsy King’. Despite the loss, many were impressed with the former UFC champion’s performance, and he quickly entered talks with Deontay Wilder, among others.

Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious Johnson advises Francis Ngannou to walk away from MMA following Tyson Fury fight: “There's nothing left for him to do in that sport”

Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023

MMA legend Demetrious Johnson has advised Francis Ngannou to focus on boxing after his fight against Tyson Fury. Last weekend, Francis Ngannou surprised a whole lot of people. He went toe to toe with Tyson Fury in what proved to be a really competitive encounter. He even dropped Fury, but in the end, it was ‘The Gypsy King’ who was given the controversial split decision win.

Jake Paul, Nate Diaz, Paul vs. Diaz, Boxing
Nate Diaz

PFL Founder Donn Davis accuses Nate Diaz of “hiding behind a rock” to avoid Jake Paul fight

Harry Kettle - October 31, 2023

PFL founder Donn Davis has accused Nate Diaz of hiding behind a rock and avoiding an MMA fight with Jake Paul. Earlier this year, Nate Diaz went head to head with Jake Paul in a boxing match. In the end, after a strange encounter, it was Paul who was able to get his hand raised in victory.

Scott Coker
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

REPORT | Bellator sale to PFL has been finalized, will take over the company in 2024

Josh Evanoff - October 30, 2023

It seems that the PFL’s sale with Bellator might be going through after all. As most MMA fans are aware, the Scott Coker-led company has had its troubles in 2023. For most of this year, Bellator has been linked to a potential sale to the PFL. The news was first reported by Todd Atkins earlier this summer. For the most part, the million-dollar deal has been played out in public, as Viacom confirmed their plans to drop combat sports from Showtime.

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou explains why he plans to continue fighting in MMA despite success in boxing match with Tyson Fury

Harry Kettle - October 30, 2023

Francis Ngannou has explained why he plans to continue competing in both MMA and boxing after his fight with Tyson Fury. Last Saturday night, Francis Ngannou shocked the world. He went toe to toe with Tyson Fury in his pro boxing debut, and he came incredibly close to beating him. While he ultimately lost via split decision, many feel as if he did enough to get the job done.

Derek Brunson and Ray Cooper III
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Derek Brunson books November PFL debut against former champion Ray Cooper III

Josh Evanoff - October 6, 2023

Derek Brunson has booked his first PFL fight opposite former tournament champion Ray Cooper III. The longtime UFC veteran was released out of the blue last month. At the time, Derek Brunson was scheduled for a November fight with Roman Dolidze but chose to part ways with the company. Suddenly, last night, the longtime middleweight contender signed with the PFL. Furthermore, he’s already got his first opponent in the form of Ray Cooper III.

Derek Brunson
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

PFL signs Derek Brunson after UFC exit, intends to compete in $1 million dollar light-heavyweight tournament

Josh Evanoff - October 5, 2023

Former UFC middleweight contender Derek Brunson is heading to the PFL. The longtime contender hasn’t been seen since a loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 285 in March. That was Derek Brunson’s second loss in a row, previously losing to Jared Cannonier last February. While he was later booked for a rebound fight against Roman Dolidze in November, that bout will no longer be happening.

Cedric Doumbe
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Cedric Doumbe feels the UFC 'f*cked up' by letting him sign with PFL: "It is what it is"

Josh Evanoff - October 2, 2023

PFL welterweight contender Cedric Doumbe feels the UFC badly messed up by letting him go. The former Glory Kickboxing champion made his PFL debut against Jordan Zébo over the weekend. The two welterweights headlined a card going down in Cedric Doumbe’s home country of France. He walked out with a mattress for his opponent in his entrance, with the mattress having a sign reading “goodnight”.

Cedric Doumbe, PFL, KO, MMA
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

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.

Professional Fighters League (PFL)

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 and Julia Budd
Kayla Harrison

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.

Donn Davis, Dana White, PFL
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Dana White responds to Donn Davis' fighter pay comments: “I do see them waste unbelievable amounts of money”

Zain Bando - September 6, 2023

Regarding fighter pay, Dana White and the UFC’s stance has not changed in recent years. During a 2022 GQ video in which White, UFC president since 2001, went undercover to answer fan questions across social media, he reiterated that his roster gets compensated fairly and money is “spread out” among the roster pool.

Jake Paul
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

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
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

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.

Kayla Harrison
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

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.

Claressa-Shields
Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Boxing champion Claressa Shields signs new multi-year contract to return to the PFL

Josh Evanoff - August 10, 2023

PFL has signed a multi-year agreement with women’s boxing champion Claressa Shields. The ‘GWOAT’ is one of the more colorful figures in the world of boxing. In the last few weeks, she’s called out both Jake Paul and Keith Thurman for intergender boxing matches. While the latter showed interest, it seems that Claressa Shields will now be returning to the world of MMA.

Jake Paul and Nate Diaz
Nate Diaz

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.