Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio receive suspensions from PFL for substandard performance in Atlanta

The PFL has suspended two fighters from the 2023 season.

Natan Schulte and Rush Manfio were in action for PFL 6 this past Friday (June 23). The two shared the cage on the preliminary portion of the card. It was a bizarre fight with very little action. Schulte won the bout via unanimous decision.

Boring fights are nothing new in combat sports. Not every fight can be entertaining, but Schulte and Manfio are close friends. Schulte is actually the godfather of Manfio’s daughter. This led to speculation that neither man truly wanted to be inside the cage on fight night and it showed.

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PFL Suspends Two Fighters From Regular Season

As a result, the PFL has booted both men from the regular season. Here is a statement from the promotion:

“Last Night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition.

All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements agree to use their “best efforts … skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete … and defeat any opponent.”

It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout.

PFL immediately suspended both fighters from the season and deemed the fight to have 0 points for purposes of League standings.

PFL takes this action in recognition of its responsibility to all PFL fighters and all PFL fans.

Here are the updated Lightweight Semifinal Matchups:

#1 Clay Collard vs. #4 Shane Burgos

#2 Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. #3 Bruno Miranda.”

It’ll be interesting to see when Natan Shulte and Raush Manfio will address the situation. For now, they will find themselves out of a chance to snag a massive payday for the 2023 regular season.