Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Paul Hughes responds to Josh Thomson's recent criticism of the PFL: "It's become a trend to hate on them"
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 Thomson calls out PFL, says he has no faith they can be a top promotion: "They don't know the sport"
Cole Shelton - March 13, 2025
Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson isn’t a fan of the PFL. Thomson has been retired since 2020, despite not fighting since 2017. Since then, he has gotten into commentary as he was an analyst for Bellator and even did some commentary for the PFL. Yet, he says after being around the PFL he realized they won’t be a top promotion, especially with how they are run.
Paul Hughes set to headline PFL Europe Belfast on May 10th
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.
Cris Cyborg names next potential PFL opponent after recent knockout win in boxing: "It'll be in the fall"
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.
Aaron Pico vows to never fight for PFL again due to feud with Donn Davis: "I haven't been able to work!"
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.
Usman Nurmagomedov reveals he was sick leading up to PFL title fight against Paul Hughes: "I was at 50 percent"
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2025
PFL lightweight star Usman Nurmagomedov is opening up on his close title fight with Paul Hughes. The two lightweights faced off in the main event of PFL Champions Series 1 last month in Dubai. In what will likely go down as the final Bellator title fight, Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes went to war. Despite the Russian entering the cage as a huge betting favorite, ‘Big News’ gave the champion all he could handle.
REPORT | Former Bellator star Aaron Pico officially becomes a free agent
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.
Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix again demands his release from the PFL: "Support my family"
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’.
Former Bellator featherweight James Gallagher becomes the latest to secure his PFL release: "This is not the end"
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.
Paul Hughes saddened by Conor McGregor's recent insults against him following PFL title fight: "Kind of a sad thing"
Josh Evanoff - January 29, 2025
PFL lightweight star Paul Hughes doesn’t care about Conor McGregor’s recent tirade. ‘Big News’ returned to the cage on Saturday night in Dubai. Back for the first time since defeating former Bellator champion A.J. McKee in October, Paul Hughes finally met Usman Nurmagomedov. The undefeated Russian is a cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and the PFL played heavily into the Dagestan/Ireland rivalry heading into the event.
Jeremy Stephens says 'old cocaine' Conor McGregor doubted him ahead of BKFC KnuckleMania V win over Eddie Alvarez
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.
Paul Hughes speaks out on close decision loss to Usman Nurmagomedov: 'I thought it was mine'
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.
Vadim Nemkov opens up on PFL future ahead of final fight on contract: "I'm not sure what they're going to offer me"
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.
Former Bellator champion Patricky Pitbull parts ways with the PFL, signs with upstart Global Fight League
Josh Evanoff - January 22, 2025
Former Bellator champion Patricky Pitbull has parted ways with the PFL to sign with the GFL. The 39-year-old Brazilian has seen better days. Patricky Pitbull, much like his brother, Patricio Pitbull, hoped for success after joining the PFL in late 2023. Bellator was famously bought out by the Donn Davis-led company that fall, which retained all of its talent. In 2024, the older Pitbull brother entered the lightweight tournament.
Donn Davis reveals PFL heavyweight Francis Ngannou will likely be competing in boxing next: "That's his business"
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.
Donn Davis announces official end of Bellator MMA brand: "All fight events and content will be PFL"
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.
PFL reportedly axes $1 million prize for tournaments
Harry Kettle - January 7, 2025
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has reportedly cut their $1 million prize pot for their tournaments. Over the course of the last few years, PFL has worked hard to separate itself from the rest of the pack. One of the ways they’ve done this is by implementing a tournament/league style format in which the winners receive a $1 million prize.
Donn Davis slams Aaron Pico's free agent status as "disinformation", reveals ongoing talks for new PFL deal: "We love him"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2025
PFL founder Donn Davis has fired back at claims that Aaron Pico is now a free agent. The 28-year-old is riding a wave of momentum right now. Aaron Pico famously signed with Scott Coker’s Bellator a decade ago, with high hopes and a lot of potential. Sadly, the young featherweight hit a few bumps in the road, suffering three losses in his first seven appearances inside the cage. However, it didn’t take Pico long to get used to fighting.