Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
REPORT | Ryan Bader, Patricio Pitbull among first fighters added to February's PFL vs. Bellator event
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
The reported Bellator vs. PFL card slated for February 24th is now adding fights. In November, the Viacom-owned company was bought out by the PFL. With that, it marked a departure for figures such as Scott Coker, and others. However, Donn Davis and others plan to keep running Bellator as a separate entity and keep holding events for the foreseeable future.
Francis Ngannou commits to PFL fight despite Anthony Joshua boxing match: "We're in business together"
Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2024
Despite his boxing match against Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou is still planning on fighting in the PFL. Last week, ‘The Predator’ signed his return to the boxing ring against ‘AJ’. Just a few months removed from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou will look to earn his first win. For his part, Anthony Joshua enters the matchup riding a three-fight winning streak. He last defeated Otto Wallin by knockout last month, before his plans for a Deontay Wilder clash this Spring were foiled.
Cris Cyborg alleges Kayla Harrison turned down long-awaited PFL fight: "We accepted the bout"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2024
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg reportedly won’t be fighting Kayla Harrison in the PFL. Late last year, the Scott Coker-led MMA promotion was bought out by the PFL. As a result, Donn Davis and company quickly began to plan several big matchups. One of those matchups, is multiple-time tournament winner Kayla Harrison, against the legendary Cris Cyborg.
Derek Brunson reveals he earned his “biggest payday ever” in PFL debut: “It’s a lot more than the UFC”
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2024
PFL star Derek Brunson has revealed that he earned a pretty nice payday in his debut for the promotion. For so many years, Derek Brunson was a consistent fixture in the UFC’s middleweight division. He never fought for the title, but he did compete against some of the biggest and best names at 185 pounds.
Claressa Shields reveals interest in PFL "dream fight" with Cris Cyborg: "It's the scariest fight for me"
Josh Evanoff - December 22, 2023
Boxing world champion Claressa Shields has revealed that Cris Cyborg would be her PFL dream fight. The ‘GWOAT’ has been out of the boxing ring since a unanimous decision win over Maricela Cornejo in June. That victory was yet another dominant title defense for Claressa Shields, and it seems that will be her last boxing appearance for a while. Not long following the win, she re-signed with the PFL.
Derek Brunson responds after Gegard Mousasi accuses him of turning down multiple fight offers
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2023
Derek Brunson and Gegard Mousasi have gone back and forth on social media over a potential showdown in PFL. Ever since PFL purchased Bellator, many questions have been circulating regarding what it means for both promotions. There are so many elite fighters on both rosters, and it seems as if we’ll see many of them square off in 2024.
Cris Cyborg admits elusive Kayla Harrison bout could be her last: "Could finish my career after that"
Josh Evanoff - December 21, 2023
A potential bout with former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison could be it for Cris Cyborg. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 in October. That victory may go down as the final of Cris Cyborg’s women’s featherweight title reign. The following month, the Scott Coker-led promotion was bought out by the PFL. On paper, that should make a long-awaited bout with Kayla Harrison a reality.
Gegard Mousasi demands opponent for PFL debut after Derek Brunson declined: "I am ready"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is ready to fight Derek Brunson in the PFL. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a fight against Fabian Edwards in May. At Bellator 296, he suffered a unanimous decision loss, his second in a row. As it turns out, that will be Gegard Mousasi’s final bout in the promotion, as they’ve since been bought out by the PFL. The deal went down in November, just weeks before their championship card.
Michael Page reveals that PFL appearance directly led to UFC signing: "Kicked everybody into gear"
Josh Evanoff - December 18, 2023
Welterweight contender Michael Page has admitted that his PFL appearance helped push him right into the UFC. ‘MVP’ is the UFC’s newest signing. Dana White himself announced the move late Saturday night, following Colby Covington’s loss to Leon Edwards. In the process, it ended months of speculation as to where Michael Page was headed after ending his lengthy Bellator tenure.
Jake Paul reignites feud with Dana White over PFL comments: "The UFC is falling!"
Josh Evanoff - December 15, 2023
PFL star Jake Paul is firing shots at Dana White just hours ahead of his boxing return. ‘The Problem Child’ is currently expected to return to the ring later tonight in Orlando. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz in August, Jake Paul will face Andre August. The 10-1-1 pro boxer is a big underdog for the contest, but one has to figure that names such as Dana White will be cheering him on.
Deontay Wilder reveals what he needs in order to accept mixed rules bout with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles - December 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has listed what to be done in order for a mixed rules bout with Francis Ngannou to come to fruition. Ngannou has forced his way into the boxing conversation thanks to his performance against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Despite losing the 10-round heavyweight tilt via split decision, Ngannou was praised for scoring a knockdown on Fury and nearly pulling off a massive upset.
Michael Chandler gives his take on 'Bittersweet' Bellator-PFL sale: "They were important to me"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is a bit sad to see their recent sale to the PFL. ‘Iron’ is now one of the UFC’s biggest stars and most entertaining fighters. Although, Michael Chandler hasn’t been seen in the cage since a submission loss to Dustin Poirier well over a year ago. Now, the former Bellator champion has been stuck on the sidelines, waiting for a long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor.
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 - 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.