Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
PFL announces more free agent signings, including Tom Lawlor
Adam Martin - March 12, 2020
PFL has announced more signings for its third season, including a pair of former UFC middleweights in Tom Lawlor and Cezar Ferreira. PFL promised it would sign a number of high-profile fighters for its upcoming season back when it announced Rory MacDonald’s signing and the promotion has stayed true to its word. After recently announcing 10 signings of prominent fighters including former UFC standout Olivier Aubin-Mercier, the promotion has now revealed it has inked Lawlor and Ferreira to exclusive deals.
PFL announces 10 new signings for 2020 season
Tom Taylor - March 10, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) promised some new signings for the upcoming 2020 season, and so far, the organization is delivering. On Tuesday, the league officially confirmed 10 new free agent signings, including several UFC veterans and the brother of UFC welterweight champ Kamaru Usman.
Justin Willis signs with PFL
Adam Martin - February 11, 2020
Former UFC heavyweight contender Justin Willis has signed a new contract with PFL and will be part of the promotion’s next heavyweight tournament. Willis signing with PFL was first confirmed by MMAjunkie.com. “Big Pretty” is expected to make his promotional debut later in the spring when their next heavyweight tournament begins.
Kayla Harrison gives self-defense advice for women who are being attacked
Adam D Martin - February 5, 2020
PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison has given some important self-defense advice to women who are being attacked. In the wake of the recent video showing boxing prospect Gervonta Davis getting physical with his ex-girlfriend, TMZ Sports caught up with Harrison — one of the best women’s MMA fighters on the planet — and asked her what women should do if they are in a situation where they are being attacked.
David Michaud says starting pay in PFL is same as UFC
Adam Martin - January 2, 2020
PFL welterweight contender David Michaud says that the starting pay in PFL is about the same as it would be for a newcomer to the UFC. Michaud just fought Ray Cooper III at PFL 2019 Championship and was knocked out in the second round to lose his chance to win $1 million. It ended a nice run for Michaud in his first year in PFL, snapping a three-fight win streak over Glaico Franca, John Howard, and Handesson Ferreira.
Rory MacDonald believes Douglas Lima trilogy is still possible
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Rory MacDonald is no longer a Bellator fighter, having signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2020. While this promotion change has opened the door to some new and exciting matchups for MacDonald, it has seemingly closed the door on a trilogy fight between MacDonald and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima, who are currently tied 1-1 across two previous bouts. Yet MacDonald doesn’t see it that way.
PHOTO | Lance Palmer's father wore an interesting shirt at 2019 PFL Championship
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Last night, Lance Palmer became a two-time Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion, defeating Alex Gilpin by unanimous decision to win the featherweight belt. As usual, Palmer’s father Wayne was in the building to support, and he made a pretty interesting wardrobe choice for his night out. The elder Palmer was visible several times on broadcast. Fans promptly noticed that he was wearing a slightly doctored UFC shirt. Instead of reading Ultimate Fighting Championship, it read Ultimate Farting Championship.
Ray Cooper III wants to fight Rory MacDonald to avenge for BJ Penn
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Last night, Hawaii’s Ray Cooper III became a millionaire, winning the PFL’s 2019 welterweight season by defeating David Michaud. While this victory is still fresh, Cooper is already looking ahead to the 2020 PFL season. This upcoming season will be particularly exciting for PFL welterweights given that the promotion recently signed former UFC title challenger and Bellator champ Rory MacDonald.
PFL boss says to expect more free-agent signings after Rory MacDonald
Adam Martin - December 31, 2019
PFL’s CEO says that he expects the tournament-based promotion to make more free-agent signings after recently inking former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald. PFL recently signed MacDonald to a lucrative contract and he immediately became the biggest name on the entire PFL roster. He’s by far the biggest free-agent signing the company has made in its two years of existence.
PFL's Kayla Harrison believes she's 'probably the highest-paid female fighter in MMA right now'
Tom Taylor - December 30, 2019
Former Olympic judoka Kayla Harrison is a little over a day out from a championship clash with Larissa Pachecho. The winner of this bout, which headline the final Professional Fighters League (PFL) event of the year, will pocket a whopping $1M prize. In addition to this $1M prize, which is awarded to the champion of each weight class at the end of each PFL season, Harrison also has a lucrative, long-term contract with the league. She suspects this contract is among the most valuable in all of MMA. At the very least, Harrison believes she is probably the highest paid female fighter in the sport.
Scott Coker sends classy message to Rory MacDonald after Bellator exit
Tom Taylor - December 20, 2019
Earlier this week, news surfaced that former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald had parted ways with the promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Shortly thereafter, Bellator President Scott Coker took to Twitter with a classy message to his former fighter. See it below:
UFC veteran Ramsey Nijem suspended nine months for marijuana
Natasha Hooper - December 19, 2019
Ramsey Nijem has suffered the same fate as Nick Diaz, but with a significantly lighter penalty. In November, NSAC chief assistant Jeff Mullen announced to ESPN that Ramsey Nijem, Luis Rafael Laurentino and Glaico Franca tested positive for elevated banned substances.
Rory MacDonald parts ways with Bellator, signs with PFL
Tom Taylor - December 18, 2019
Rory MacDonald has parted ways with Bellator MMA. After a period of free agency, the former Bellator welterweight champion has not signed a new deal with the promotion, and instead inked a contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Jake Shields not retired but not looking for fights
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2019
Jake Shields is keeping his options open. The 40-year-old has not fought since October 2018 at PFL 10 when he lost by TKO to Ray Cooper III for the second time in the year. He wanted to try out the tournament format, but at his age, he said he didn’t know if he wanted to fight so often to do it again.
PFL 2019 finals set for New Year's Eve finale in New York City
Adam Martin - November 1, 2019
The finals for all six PFL 2019 tournaments have been officially set for the promotion’s finale, which takes place on New Year’s Eve in New York City. PFL 2019: Week 10 takes place on December 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The event will air live on ESPN.
PFL tells Ali Abdelaziz not to attend any event until battery case is resolved
Mike Pendleton - October 16, 2019
Following an incident that took place at a recent Professional Fighters League event earlier this month, the PFL has requested that manager Ali Abdelaziz not attend any events moving forward. Abdelaziz was involved in an altercation with another manager, Abe Kawa, in which Las Vegas Police reported that Abdelaziz struck Kawa in the face with a closed fist. After the police opened up an investigation to the incident, PFL has decided to keep Abdelaziz away from events for the immediate future until the case is resolved. As first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN, the PFL has requested that Abdelaziz does not attend any PFL events.
Kayla Harrison says she's 'like a female Khabib but better'
Adam Martin - August 7, 2019
PFL women’s lightweight contender Kayla Harrison is fighting with so much confidence these days. The Olympic gold medalist judoka is a perfect 5-0 in MMA and has gone public in calling for a fight against Cris Cyborg. Now, she is on record comparing herself to arguably the best fighter in the sport, Khabib Nurmagomedov. Harrison was recently interviewed by ESPN and asked who she would compare herself to. She said she believes she’s most like “The Eagle.”
Kayla Harrison sends confident message to Cris Cyborg
Mike Heck - August 6, 2019
Kayla Harrison is not intimidated by Cris Cyborg, or the thought that the former UFC women’s featherweight champion may grace the Professional Fighters League with her presence. As a matter of fact, Harrison looks to welcome that challenge with open arms.