Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Clay Collard defeats Jeremy Stephens by decision in Fight of the Year contender (Highlights)
Cole Shelton - April 20, 2022
In the main of 2022 PFL 1, Jeremy Stephens is set to make his promotional debut against Clay Collard. Jeremy Stephens (28-19) is on a six-fight winless streak and coming off a 65-second submission loss to Mateusz Gamrot. That setback marked the last fight on his UFC deal and he then signed with PFL. On the losing skid, he suffered a TKO loss to Calvin Kattar, a decision loss to Yair Rodriguez, which took place after a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke. As well, he suffered a decision loss to Zabit Magomedsharipov and a TKO loss to Jose Aldo. His last win came in February 2018 when he knocked out Josh Emmett.
Fabricio Werdum walks back on retirement talks, plans to compete this June in PFL
Harry Kettle - April 19, 2022
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum has done a U-turn on his retirement and plans to compete for PFL this summer. Just a matter of weeks ago, Fabricio Werdum noted in an interview that there was a good chance he would be retiring from competitive mixed martial arts. He was initially scheduled to compete in PFL’s heavyweight tournament this season but after pulling out, the veteran admitted that his days in the sport may well be coming to an end.
PFL Challenger Series event flagged for suspicious betting activity
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2022
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is under investigation after an event of theirs was flagged for suspicious betting activity. Last Friday night on April 1, the PFL put on a Challenger Series event that was intended to showcase some new faces within the mixed martial arts sphere. However, those who decided to bet on the outcome of the fights involved were left with their accounts under review over the weekend after some strange activity was seen in the hours leading up to the show.
Fabricio Werdum pulls out of PFL 2022 tournament, likely retired: "It would need to be an out-of-this-world offer"
Josh Evanoff - March 29, 2022
One of the heavyweight greats might be hanging up the gloves. PFL’s Fabricio Werdum has announced he’s likely retired. The former UFC heavyweight champion headed over to PFL in 2020. He wound up only having one bout in the promotion’s 2021 season due to injury. That sole fight was a no-contest with Renan Ferreria, originally a loss that was overturned due to a missed tap.
Kayla Harrison re-signs with PFL despite fielding offers from UFC and Bellator
Susan Cox - March 8, 2022
Kayla Harrison, 31, a PFL (Professional Fighters League) star has made her decision on where she will call home for 2022. Perhaps the hottest free agent in MMA, Kayla received offers from Bellator and the UFC, but PFL announced earlier today that the two-time Olympic judo champion has re-signed with PFL on a multi-year contract extension.
Kayla Harrison reacts after Henry Cejudo announces he is training Cris Cyborg: “He cant save you. One gold medal Havin ass”
Harry Kettle - March 8, 2022
PFL star Kayla Harrison has given her thoughts on Henry Cejudo helping to train Bellator champion Cris Cyborg. For the longest time there’s been a great deal of speculation surrounding the future of Kayla Harrison. While she may already be a two-time PFL tournament winner and champion, many wonder whether or not she’ll truly be able to fulfil her potential if she doesn’t head to Bellator or the UFC.
Kayla Harrison challenges Cris Cyborg to gym fight after PFL matches Bellator offer: “I’m so sick of this sh*t”
Harry Kettle - March 2, 2022
MMA star Kayla Harrison has snapped at Cris Cyborg and challenged her to a fight at American Top Team’s gym. The last few months have been fairly chaotic for Kayla Harrison. In addition to becoming a two-time PFL champion, the two-time Olympic gold medalist has had to deal with mounting speculation regarding her future in mixed martial arts. At first it seemed as if she’d head to the UFC in order to test herself against Amanda Nunes, then she was close to signing with PFL, and then talks stalled at the eleventh hour.
Mark Martin provides update following nasty eye injury at PFL Challengers: “If my eye recovers 100% I will be back”
Harry Kettle - February 28, 2022
PFL Challengers fighter Mark Martin has provided an update on his recovery following a gruesome eye injury during his last fight. While he may have enjoyed some success against Dilano Taylor, the night didn’t end well for Mark Martin on Friday as he lost due to a doctor stoppage between the first and second round. The reason for the stoppage was because the eye of Martin was bulging out of the socket, which his manager believes happened because he blew his nose which led to the pressure causing an escalation of the initial injury.
Tyron Woodley, Randy Couture, Wiz Khalifa, others to serve as special judges for PFL Challengers Series
Josh Evanoff - February 18, 2022
PFL Challengers is starting up with its first event this week. Ahead of the inaugural show, the promotion has announced it has some interesting judges. The PFL Challengers Series operates very similarly to the Dana White Contender Series. There are multiple fights, and then the best fighters are selected to be brought into the promotion.
Kayla Harrison on her relationship with former roommate Ronda Rousey: “I don’t think we’re friends anymore”
Harry Kettle - February 16, 2022
Kayla Harrison has spoken about her previous friendship with fellow judoka Ronda Rousey and why it may be over. While they may be in very different places in their careers now, with Harrison in mixed martial arts and Rousey transitioning over into professional wrestling, there was once a time when the two were close friends. They both won medals at the Olympic Games, they’ve both found success at the elite level in MMA, and judo was their first love.
Report | Kayla Harrison's PFL return hits a roadblock
Josh Evanoff - February 10, 2022
It appears that Kayla Harrison may not be returning to PFL after all. The Judoka made her name in the PFL over the past three years. Following her victory in the 2021 lightweight tournament, she became a free agent. She began openly hinting at a move to either the UFC or Bellator.
Kenny Florian says the UFC slowly removed him from broadcasting gigs after he turned down a coaching position on TUF
Harry Kettle - January 25, 2022
Kenny Florian has claimed the UFC began removing him from broadcasting roles after he turned down a coaching role on The Ultimate Fighter. Following his retirement from active competition, former title challenger Kenny Florian became an even bigger part of the UFC family. He was regularly featured on a series of broadcasts by the promotion, usually in a commentary position. However, a few years ago, he slowly began to drop off the radar – prompting questions from the fanbase.
Jake Paul fighting in PFL is a serious possibility according to CEO Peter Murray
Harry Kettle - January 14, 2022
PFL CEO Peter Murray has said that Jake Paul fighting for the promotion could be a serious possibility in the future. For the last few years we’ve seen Jake Paul focus most of his energy on a successful transition into professional boxing. With a 5-0 record to his name alongside knockout wins over the likes of Tyron Woodley and Ben Askren, it’s safe to say the man formerly known as a “controversial YouTube star” has turned the game on its head in a fairly substantial way.
PFL, Bellator veteran Jordan Young dead at 27
Cole Shelton - December 19, 2021
Jordan Young has passed away at age 27. Young, a veteran of PFL and Bellator, passed away on Saturday, his boxing coach at American Top Team Derik Santos. ATT and PFL confirmed the news on Sunday. The cause of death is not known at this time.
Kayla Harrison excited to prove to Dana White she is "worth the investment"
Adam Martin - November 21, 2021
Two-time PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison is excited to prove to UFC president Dana White that she is “worth the investment”. Harrison is one of the most dominant female MMA fighters on the planet right now, and she recently became a free agent following her latest tournament win in the PFL. For Harrison, she has won two tournaments at women’s 155lbs now in PFL and she has been incredibly dominant throughout the way. It is getting to the point now where she is such a massive betting favorite for her fights that some fans find it is a waste of time for her to be in PFL, rather than in the UFC, where she would have much tougher competition.
PFL fighter Christian Lohsen has testicle removed after MMA training accident
Adam D Martin - November 12, 2021
PFL fighter Christian Lohsen announced on social media that he had to have his testicle removed after an MMA training accident. On Thursday, Lohsen took to his social media to reveal that he had to have his left testicle removed after a training accident. According to the fighter, he was hit with a knee in his left testicle which led to it being ruptured and then surgically removed. It appears as though Lohsen has a good attitude about everything as he cracked some jokes in his post despite the pain he must be in. Take a look at his post below.
Bruno Cappelozza reacts after learning his father passed away just minutes after winning PFL heavyweight title
Adam D Martin - October 28, 2021
Bruno Cappelozza reacted after learning his father passed away just minutes after winning the PFL heavyweight title and $1 million. Cappelozza defeated Ante Delija in a five-round heavyweight slugfest to win the PFL heavyweight championship and the $1 million grand prize. Just minutes after Cappelozza won the heavyweight tournament, the broadcast revealed that his family told him following his win that his father, Joao, passed away on Sunday. Cappelozza’s family wanted him to stay completely focused on his fight against Delija and they did not tell Cappelozza that his father had passed away until after the fight. It was an incredibly emotional moment for Cappelozza, and following the event, he took to his social media to react to the sad news.
Kayla Harrison non-committal to joining the UFC following expiration of PFL contract
Adam D Martin - October 28, 2021
PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison is non-committal to joining the UFC following the expiration of her PFL contract. Harrison defeated Taylor Guardado via second-round submission in the women’s lightweight finals at the PFL Championship on Wednesday night at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Harrison dominated the fight from beginning to end by utilizing her dominant grappling game to get her opponent to the mat and finally submit her. It was the second straight tournament championship victory for Harrison in PFL, and the fight also marked the end of her contract with the promotion. Now that she has fought out the final fight of her deal, Harrison is headed towards free agency for the first time.