Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Marlon Moraes ends retirement, set to sign with PFL
Cole Shelton - September 15, 2022
Marlon Moraes will be ending his retirement less than six months after announcing it. In April, Moraes announced he was retiring from MMA following a KO loss to Song Yadong back in March. It was his fourth straight loss and in March, he released a statement through his manager that he would be retiring from MMA.
PFL signs Muhammad Ali’s grandson Biaggio Ali Walsh
Susan Cox - September 14, 2022
The PFL has signed Muhammad Ali’s grandson Biaggio Ali Walsh. The Professional Fighters League signed Walsh, 24, a former collegiate football player at the University of California, to an amateur contract to compete in its tournament finals event this November.
Former Jake Paul-foe Hasim Rahman Jr. teases move to PFL before end of the year: "I'm with it"
Josh Evanoff - August 31, 2022
Professional boxer Hasim Rahman Jr. has his eyes set on the PFL cage. ‘Gold Blooded’ was set to face Jake Paul on Showtime pay-per-view earlier this month. However, the Madison Square Garden headliner was canceled weeks before the event. Paul stated that Rahman Jr. had no intentions of making weight for their 205-pound fight, so he pulled the plug.
Kayla Harrison reacts to PFL offering Cris Cyborg millions for clash: "PFL is here to make some big moves"
Josh Evanoff - August 18, 2022
PFL women’s lightweight Kayla Harrison wasn’t surprised to see Cris Cyborg get a big offer from the promotion. The Judoka is set to face Martina Jindrová later this month at PFL 9. The bout is the semifinals of the 2022 PFL women’s lightweight tournament. If Harrison wins, she’ll move on to the chance to become a three-time tournament winner for the promotion.
Dana White says "big mistakes were made over here" in letting Shane Burgos hit free agency and sign with PFL
Cole Shelton - August 16, 2022
Dana White says the UFC made a big mistake in letting Shane Burgos hit free agency and eventually sign with the PFL. Before Burgos’ UFC Long Island fight against Charles Jourdain, he made it known that it was the final fight of his deal. After the event, White even said the plan was for the UFC to re-sign Burgos but the fan-favorite featherweight wanted to test free agency, and ultimately signed with the PFL.
Pros react after Rory MacDonald suffers TKO loss to Dilano Taylor at PFL 8: "Prob time for him to find another profession"
Chris Taylor - August 13, 2022
Former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald collided with Dilano Taylor in the headliner of today’s PFL Playoffs 2 event in Wales. Taylor (10-2 MMA) had stepped up on short notice for the welterweight semi-final bout, this after MacDonald’s original opponent Magomed Umalatov was forced to withdraw from the event due to Visa issues.
PFL Playoffs 2 Results: Dilano Taylor stops Rory MacDonald in Round 1 (Video)
Chris Taylor - August 13, 2022
Former UFC title challenger Rory MacDonald squared off with Dilano Taylor in the headliner of today’s PFL Playoffs 2 event in Wales. Taylor (10-2 MMA) stepped in on short notice for the semi-final contest, this after MacDonald’s original opponent Magomed Umalatov was forced to withdraw from the event due to Visa issues.
PFL CEO Peter Murray reveals Claressa Shields to return in November
Josh Evanoff - August 4, 2022
PFL women’s lightweight Claressa Shields will return to the cage before the end of the year. The 27-year-old has been out of the cage since her decision defeat to Abigail Montes last October. The victory set her to 1-1 in the MMA cage, as he had previously signed to the PFL in 2020. She debuted with an impressive knockout defeat of Brittney Elkin in June 2021.
Anthony Pettis on last year of PFL contract, believes winning lightweight title will cement him as “one of the best of all time"
Cole Shelton - August 2, 2022
Anthony Pettis is glad to be rematching Stevie Ray. Pettis and Ray fought at PFL 5 in June and heading into the fight it was an odd one for ‘Showtime’ given that he already had his playoff spot booked. With that, he says the plan going into that fight was to play it safe and not get hurt which ended up costing him as Ray got the second-round submission win.
Anthony Pettis admits complacency led to submission loss to Stevie Ray: "I don’t think it will happen again"
Josh Evanoff - July 29, 2022
PFL lightweight star Anthony Pettis has discussed his loss to Stevie Ray last month at PFL 5. Heading into the main event, ‘Showtime’ had already secured its spot in the playoffs. One month prior, he defeated Myles Price by first-round submission, handing him a bid. With that playoff spot in mind, Pettis decided to take the safe approach at PFL 5.
Kayla Harrison wants "big fights," hints at leaving PFL after the 2022 season: "I think this would probably be my last season"
Cole Shelton - July 18, 2022
Kayla Harrison says the 2022 PFL season might be her last. Harrison, who previously tested free agency, is looking to become a three-time PFL champion. Now, ahead of her semifinal fight, Harrison revealed she is getting tired of the season format and may just have one-off fights before leaving the PFL to go after big fights.
Anthony Pettis pockets $750k, Kayla Harrison makes second most as PFL salaries from Atlanta events revealed
Cole Shelton - July 6, 2022
Anthony Pettis and Kayla Harrison led the salaries from the recent PFL event in Atlanta. For the longest time, many fans have wondered how much PFL is paying their key fighters as salaries have not been revealed. However, when the promotion went to Atlanta, the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission revealed the purses to MMAJunkie and Pettis led the way making $750K with Kayla Harrison coming up the rear in second at $500K.
Kayla Harrison reveals hate she received following Julia Budd cancelation: "At this point, I get backlash for how I brush my hair"
Josh Evanoff - June 30, 2022
Kayla Harrison received a lot of hate following the cancelation of her fight with Julia Budd. That’s despite the fact that she didn’t pull out. The former lightweight tournament winner was set to face the former Bellator featherweight champion this Friday at PFL 6. However, a week before the fight, Budd pulled out due to injury. She was replaced by women’s pioneer Kaitlyn Young.
Kayla Harrison vs. Kaitlin Young set for PFL 6 following Julia Budd injury
Josh Evanoff - June 24, 2022
Kayla Harrison has a new opponent for PFL 6. The former lightweight tournament winner will face former Invicta FC title challenger Kaitlin Young. The 31-year-old was set to face former Bellator featherweight champion Julia Budd at PFL 6. The bout was expected to be the biggest test of Harrison’s career to date. However, the matchup is no more.
PFL's Anthony Pettis not looking to retire anytime soon: "I don't think about an exit plan"
Josh Evanoff - June 22, 2022
PFL lightweight Anthony Pettis has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. ‘Showtime’ is set to return at PFL 5 this Friday against UFC-veteran Stevie Ray. The return will be his first fight since his submission victory against Myles Price at PFL 3 last month. If Pettis scores a win over Ray, he will book himself a spot in the PFL playoffs.
Jeremy Stephens forced to shave his head and beard to make weight for PFL fight (Photo)
Cole Shelton - June 16, 2022
Jeremy Stephens appeared to have a tough weight cut ahead of his PFL 4 fight against Myles Price on Friday. Throughout fight week in Atlanta, Stephens was full of energy – especially now that he is at lightweight – but when he came into weigh-in he surprised many as he was completely bald. The fan-favorite was forced to shave his hair and beard to make weight as he weighed in at 156lbs on the dot.
Sean Strickland apologizes for comments about the Professional Fighters League but not Kayla Harrison: “I miss spoke about the PFL”
Susan Cox - May 11, 2022
Sean Strickland is apologizing for comments he made about the Professional Fighters League (PFL), but not about Kayla Harrison. Harrison (13-0 MMA) squared off with Mokhnatkina (6-3 MMA) at PFL 3 in Arlington, Texas on May 6th. While the three round matchup went the distance, and Harrison earned a unanimous decision victory, it wasn’t her best showing.
Sean Strickland blasts Kayla Harrison for struggling with "low level" opponent at PFL 3: "Just reminds me why she's not in the UFC"
Christopher Taylor - May 7, 2022
UFC middleweight fighter Sean Strickland has blasted Kayla Harrison for her performance against Marina Mokhnatkina at PFL 3. Harrison (13-0 MMA) squared off with Mokhnatkina (6-3 MMA) in the headliner of last night’s Professional Fighters League event in Arlington.