Professional Fighters League (PFL) News

Fernando Quiles Jr. - March 31, 2025

Ryan Bader has given an explanation for his PFL departure. Bader became a free agent success after fighting out of his UFC contract back in Nov. 2016. He ended up signing a lucrative contract with Bellator MMA and made the most of the opportunity. Bader became a two-division Bellator champion and only had two losses under the promotion before the purchase from PFL.

Josh Evanoff - March 27, 2025

Former Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader is now a free agent after parting ways with the PFL. There are few fighters who benefited from leaving the UFC more than ‘Darth’. After eight years under Dana White, Ryan Bader left in favor of Scott Coker and Bellator in 2016. Quickly, the light-heavyweight wrestler found success. Bader won gold in his first night in the promotion, scoring a split-decision win over Phil Davis. He would follow that up with a title defense against Linton Vassell, before heading up to heavyweight.

Josh Evanoff - March 19, 2025

GLORY Kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven has revealed talks are ongoing for a fight against PFL champion Francis Ngannou. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a clash against Renan Ferreira in the PFL cage last October. Fighting for the first time since his destructive knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in March, Francis Ngannou handed ‘Problema’ a first-round stoppage loss. The bout was his first time stepping into the cage since his win over Ciryl Gane in January 2022, his final UFC appearance.

Josh Evanoff - March 14, 2025

PFL lightweight contender Paul Hughes has responded to Josh Thomson’s recent comments. It’s not exactly a secret that the PFL is in a bit of a strange spot at the moment. The Donn Davis-led promotion famously bought Bellator in late 2023, signaling a big move for the company. However, their 2024 offering was a bit of a mixed bag. While names such as Dakota Ditcheva continued to rise, many, many fighters were unhappy. Names such as Patricio Pitbull, Gegard Mousasi, Austin Vanderford and more, all requested and were granted their releases.

Josh Evanoff - March 10, 2025

PFL lightweight star Paul Hughes will be returning to the cage in May. ‘Big News’ hasn’t been seen in action since his meeting with Bellator champion Usman Nurmagomedov in January. Despite entering the title bout a heavy underdog, Paul Hughes brought the fight to the undefeated Russian. For five rounds, the two young lightweights went back-and-forth in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1.

Josh Evanoff - March 5, 2025

PFL Superfights women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg hopes to return to the cage in the fall. The 39-year-old is fresh off an appearance in the boxing ring earlier this month. Over the weekend, Cris Cyborg scored a second-round knockout win over Karen Fernandez, in her fifth professional boxing match. Fresh off that stoppage victory, the PFL champion is turning her attention to a return to the cage.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - February 25, 2025

One ex-UFC fan favorite has an axe to grind with PFL over its treatment of Aaron Pico. It’s no secret that the UFC brass are interested in Pico. During a recent press conference, Dana White told reporters that UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby has been gushing over the 28-year-old star. The only problem is that Pico is under PFL contract.

Josh Evanoff - February 19, 2025

Hard-hitting featherweight star Aaron Pico never wants to fight for the PFL again. The 28-year-old is hitting his prime right now, having won nine of his last ten bouts. He was last seen in the cage at the PFL vs. Bellator event last February, scoring a first-round knockout win over Henry Corrales. While Aaron Pico hoped to book a title fight against Patricio Pitbull next, that bout never came to fruition.

Josh Evanoff - February 7, 2025

Former Bellator featherweight contender Aaron Pico is now a free agent. The once-hyped prospect famously signed with Scott Coker’s Bellator over a decade ago. A former collegiate wrestler, Aaron Pico quickly caught the attention of the MMA world. However, the featherweight was famously upset by Zach Freeman in his first fight back in 2017. The defeat was just the first of three losses Pico would suffer in the first two years of his career.

Josh Evanoff - February 3, 2025

Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix still wants out from the PFL. ‘War Ready’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since an appearance at Bellator Champions Series 2 in May. Back for the first time since unifying bantamweight gold with a submission win over Sergio Pettis the previous year, Patchy Mix met Magomed Magomedov. There, the champion scored a split-decision win, his second over ‘Tiger’.

Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025

Khabib Nurmagomedov has sided with PFL prospect Paul Hughes in his war against Conor McGregor. ‘Big News’ returned to the octagon in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1 last Saturday. In the main event of the Dubai-based card, Paul Hughes met Usman Nurmagomedov. The event heavily played into the Dagestan vs. Ireland rivalry, given the champion’s relation to former UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025

Former Bellator featherweight contender James Gallagher has been released from the PFL. It’s not exactly a secret that the Donn Davis-led promotion has had a mixed few months. In late 2023, the PFL bought out Bellator, vowing to have a bigger schedule for 2024. Initially, there was a lot of excitement from fans and fighters alike. With a new streaming deal on MAX, the signing of free agents such as Francis Ngannou, and a $100 million investment from Saudi Arabia, the company had momentum.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025

Jeremy Stephens is happy to prove the doubters wrong, especially Conor McGregor. Stephens entered a hostile environment when he went one-on-one with Eddie Alvarez this past Saturday. Their fight headlined BKFC KnuckleMania V inside the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA. “Lil Heathen” was able to silence the Philly crowd, scoring two knockdowns on Alvarez in round three before the fight was waved off.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025

Paul Hughes has spoken out following his loss against Usman Nurmagomedov. Hughes and Nurmagomedov put on a classic in the main event of PFL Champions: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight Championship was on the line inside the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Hughes showcased effective takedown defense and was highly competitive against the 155-pound champion, but it wasn’t enough, as he dropped a majority decision.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - January 26, 2025

Usman Nurmagomedov isn’t gung-ho over the idea of fighting Paul Hughes again anytime soon. Nurmagomedov and Hughes shared the cage this past Saturday in the main event of PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. Nurmagomedov’s Bellator Lightweight Championship was at stake. Many wondered how Hughes would handle the champion’s grappling in this one. The Irishman put forth a brilliant effort, matching Nurmagomedov throughout the five rounds of highly competitive action.

Josh Evanoff - January 23, 2025

Former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov is opening up on his PFL future. The Russian hasn’t been seen in the cage in almost a year now. Last February, Vadim Nemkov moved up from light-heavyweight, vacating his Bellator title in the process to face Bruno Cappelozza. In his first bout up at heavyweight, the former champion scored an impressive second-round submission victory.

Josh Evanoff - January 16, 2025

According to PFL founder Donn Davis, Francis Ngannou will be competing in the boxing ring next. ‘The Predator’ was last seen in action against Renan Ferreira in October in Saudi Arabia. For Francis Ngannou, the fight was his first in the cage since a unanimous decision win over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in early 2022. After that bout, he famously left the UFC and suffered losses in the boxing ring against Tyson Fury and later Anthony Joshua.

Josh Evanoff - January 14, 2025

According to PFL founder Donn Davis, the Bellator MMA brand is officially no more. Bellator has had a rocky road since being founded by Bjorn Rebney in 2008. After a few years of running a tournament format producing talents such as Eddie Alvarez and Michael Chandler, Viacom bought the company. In 2014, Rebney parted ways with the company, leading to the signing of former Strikeforce boss, Scott Coker.