Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
David Michaud announces withdrawal from PFL tournament due to heart condition, career in doubt
Adam D Martin - April 8, 2021
PFL welterweight contender David Michaud announced his withdrawal from the PFL tournament due to a heart condition and his career is in doubt. Michaud is a former UFC fighter and current PFL standout who was expected to compete in the promotion’s upcoming welterweight tournament. As part of the regular season, “The Bulldawg” was scheduled to meet former UFC title contender Rory MacDonald in what would have been an awesome fight. Unfortunately for Michaud, he is out of the fight and out of the tournament due to serious health issues that have left his career in jeopardy.
PFL Promotes Loren Mack to Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications
bjpenndotcom - April 7, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced the promotion of Loren Mack to Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications, just weeks ahead of the start of the PFL’s upcoming 2021 season, which begins on April 23rd on ESPN 2. Mack is an integral part of a broader executive team that is poised for excellence as they continue to work towards the growth of the PFL brand around the globe.
Anthony Pettis weighs in on his upcoming debut with PFL: “I’ve got a target on my back, I’ve already seen it”
Harry Kettle - April 6, 2021
Former UFC champion Anthony Pettis knows that there is a target on his back as he prepares for his big debut with PFL. Pettis is set to battle Clay Collard on April 23 in his season opener as his quest to win the promotion’s lightweight tournament begins. We all know “Showtime” to be one of the most exciting lightweights in the history of mixed martial arts, but at this stage of his career, he still needs to prove to the masses that he has what it takes to succeed.
NFL Icon Ray Lewis narrates 2021 PFL season campaign entitled “MMA’s League Is Back”
Tom Taylor - April 5, 2021
Two-time SuperBowl Champion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Ray Lewis lends his distinct and intense voice as he narrates the 60-second promo video for Professional Fighters League or PFL’s kick-off campaign for their 2021 season entitled “MMA’s League Is Back.”
Kenny Florian joins PFL commentary team
Adam D Martin - March 23, 2021
Former UFC lightweight title challenger Kenny Florian is taking his talents to the PFL commentary booth for the promotion’s third season. Florian, arguably one of the most popular fighters in UFC history, formerly called fights in the Octagon but left the UFC commentary booth a few years ago. He has continued to host the “Anik and Florian” podcast alongside current UFC mic man Jon Anik, as well as provide commentary for the BattleBots television show. But Florian’s calling has always been the fight game, and ahead of PFL’s third season, the promotion has brought him on to call fights. He will do so alongside UFC Hall of Fame Randy Couture and Sean O’Connell.
Antonio Carlos Junior "happy" to sign with PFL after surprise UFC release, expects to submit Tom Lawlor
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2021
Antonio Carlos Junior didn’t think he was fighting for his job at UFC 257. Carlos Junior was making his return to the Octagon after over a year away against Brad Tavares. In the fight, the Brazilian was looking to get the fight to the ground but Tavares managed to keep the contest on the feet and outstrike him to win a decision. After the fight, it was revealed Carlos Junior was released which caught him by surprise.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 32 with Jan Blachowicz, Antonio Carlos Junior, Max Griffin, Grant Dawson, JP Buys, Adrian Yanez
Cole Shelton - March 16, 2021
The 32nd episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com is here ahead of UFC Vegas 22. var _bp = _bp||[]; _bp.push({ "div": "Brid_50564923", "obj": {"id":"22947","width":"100%","height":"","video":"741163"} });
Fabricio Werdum headlines PFL 3, Kayla Harrison also slated for upcoming card
Adam Martin - March 9, 2021
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and women’s champion Kayla Harrison are among those set to compete at the upcoming PFL 3 card. Werdum takes on Renan Ferreira in a heavyweight tournament bout that mark’s the former UFC champion’s PFL debut. Werdum is coming off of a submission win over Alexander Gustafsson in his last fight inside the Octagon, and he takes on Ferreira here, another PFL newcomer. A Team Nogueira member, Ferreira is coming off of a submission win over current UFC heavyweight Jared Vanderaa in LFA. You’d have to imagine that Werdum will be a big favorite to win the fight, but perhaps there’s more to Ferreira than meets the eye.
Claressa Shields thanks Conor McGregor for support, offers MMA star some advice
Tom Taylor - February 26, 2021
Decorated boxing champion Claressa Shields has responded to a message of support from Conor McGregor, and offered the Irishman some advice in return. Shields, a multi-division boxing champion, is gearing up to venture into mixed martial arts under the PFL banner.
PFL announces new signings, including Gleison Tibau
Adam Martin - February 25, 2021
PFL announced several new additions to its upcoming season three rosters with former UFC fighter Gleison Tibau among the new signings. PFL’s third season is set to kick off in April. The promotion did not hold events during 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but looks to come back with a bang in 2021 on ESPN+. The promotion recently announced the mostly-complete rosters for the six weight classes it will hold tournaments for this year, but there were several noticeable spots on the roster that were labeled as “TBD.” The promotion is now ready to announce who will fill in those last few spots in the season three PFL tournaments. Check the signings out below.
Video | Get to know PFL's Ray Sefo
Tom Taylor - February 25, 2021
Ray Sefo is both a legend of the kickboxing ring, and a key executive at The Professional Fighters League (PFL).
PFL announces first-round featherweight, lightweight matchups, including debut of Anthony Pettis
Tom Taylor - February 23, 2021
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the first-round matchups for its featherweight and lightweight seasons—including the league debut of former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis. The league unveiled its first-round featherweight and lightweight fights, all of which will go down on the PFL 1 event on April 23, on Tuesday morning.
Fabricio Werdum, Kayla Harrison highlight PFL heavyweight and women's lightweight brackets
Adam Martin - February 9, 2021
Fabricio Werdum and Kayla Harrison are among the fighters in the upcoming PFL season three men’s heavyweight and women’s lightweight brackets. PFL’s third season kicks off in April and the promotion has been busy in the last week releasing the rosters for its light heavyweight, welterweight, lightweight, and featherweight rosters. On Tuesday, PFL released the rosters for heavyweight and women’s lightweight. Among the participants in these tournaments are former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and women’s star Kayla Harrison.
Cris Cyborg responds after Kayla Harrison accuses her of not “signing on the dotted line”
Harry Kettle - February 5, 2021
Cris Cyborg has issued a response after potential opponent and PFL star Kayla Harrison claimed she didn’t “sign on the dotted line” when given the chance to fight her last year. In 2020 there was a great deal of speculation surrounding the future of Cyborg and where she’d end up going next, with PFL reportedly being in the running to secure her signature. In the end, though, Bellator was her chosen destination.
Kayla Harrison issues gutsy response to latest callout from Cris Cyborg
Harry Kettle - February 4, 2021
PFL star Kayla Harrison has given her thoughts on a potential fight against Cris Cyborg after the latter’s latest callout. Harrison, who took her professional MMA record to 8-0 with a dominant win over Courtney King at Invicta FC 43 back in November, is waiting for the opportunity to get back inside the cage once again as the hype behind her continues to grow.
Anthony Pettis and Lance Palmer among stars in upcoming PFL lightweight and featherweight tournaments
Adam Martin - February 2, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and PFL star Lance Palmer are among the class of the PFL season-three 155lbs and 145lbs roster. After taking 2020 off due to COVID-19 concerns, PFL is set to kick off its third season this April. The promotion promised that the roster would be completely overhauled heading into this new season, and they weren’t joking. There are plenty of fresh faces on this season’s upcoming lightweight and featherweight rosters, such as Pettis, in addition to PFL stalwarts like Palmer. Take a look at the rosters below.
Rory MacDonald open to UFC comeback following million-dollar title run in PFL
Adam Martin - January 28, 2021
Former UFC title challenger and current PFL welterweight Rory MacDonald said he is open to a return to the Octagon in the future. MacDonald is currently signed to PFL and will participate in the promotion’s upcoming third season on ESPN. Ever the consummate veteran, “The Red King” is of course currently focused on winning the PFL welterweight tournament and taking home the $1 million dollar grand prize. But when a fan asked him during a recent Q&A session if he would ever make a return to the UFC, MacDonald said he would be open to it.
World champions headline biggest PFL season yet
bjpenndotcom - January 26, 2021
There’s a lot to look forward to as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) gets ready for its 2021 season, which kicks off in April. In just three short years, the PFL has evolved from an up-and-coming promotion into one of the industry’s biggest power players, just behind the UFC.