Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Ray Cooper believes Rory MacDonald hasn't been the same since UFC, 'He's just another guy'
Drake Riggs - February 16, 2021
The PFL 2021 season is shaping up to be a good one. Among the most notable new roster additions is Rory MacDonald — and last year’s champion, Ray Cooper III, is not impressed. After dropping his Bellator welterweight title in a rematch against Douglas Lima on October 26, 2019, MacDonald parted ways with the promotion. Now he finds himself once again on the hunt for a million dollars at the end of the PFL tournament.
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.
Photo | Rory MacDonald appears to be in phenomenal condition ahead of his PFL debut
Chris Taylor - January 30, 2021
Former UFC title challenger and Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald appears to be in phenomenal shape ahead of his PFL debut. MacDonald (21-6-1 MMA) signed with the Professional Fighters League following a six-fight stint with Bellator. “The Red King” is coming off a loss to Douglas Lima in his most recent effort, which occurred back in October of 2019. Prior to that setback, Rory MacDonald was coming off a unanimous decision victory over Neiman Gracie.
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.
Claressa Shields gives update on timeframe for PFL debut
Adam Martin - January 22, 2021
Boxer-turned-MMA fighter Claressa Shields gave an update as to when she will be making her mixed martial arts debut with PFL. Shields shocked many in the combat sports world when she decided to sign with the PFL over the UFC. She had been connected to the UFC for two years and had reportedly even been offered a chance to fight UFC women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes in her UFC and MMA debut. However, Shields decided that PFL was the better opportunity for her to get her feet wet, and so she decided to take her talents to PFL instead of fighting in the UFC.
5 fights that could happen in the PFL in 2021
bjpenndotcom - January 5, 2021
There’s a lot to look forward to when the Professional Fighters League (PFL) returns for its third season in April of 2021. While the PFL takes pride in its unique, seasonal format, its top attraction will always be the fights. To have great fights, you need great fighters, and that’s something that the PFL has in spades.
Anthony Pettis interested in boxing Jake Paul: "He's definitely an athlete"
Adam Martin - January 4, 2021
Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis says he’s open to taking a boxing match and fighting YouTuber-turner-boxer Jake Paul. Pettis recently completed the final fight of his UFC contract and decided to sign with PFL, where he will get a chance to compete in the promotion’s season three lightweight tournament and win a $1 million grand prize. Now that Pettis is no longer with the UFC, he’s hoping to do things that he wasn’t able to earlier in his career. One of those things is stepping into the boxing ring.
Claressa Shields explains why she signed with PFL over UFC
Tom Taylor - December 28, 2020
Three-division boxing champion Claressa Shields has explained why she decided to sign with the Professional Fighters League instead of the UFC. Shields, one of the best female boxers ever, has been plotting a move to MMA for some time. She’ll finally make that transition in the PFL cage in 2021–contrary to some interest from the UFC.
Anthony Pettis explains why he signed with PFL: "Today is one of the best days in my life"
Tom Taylor - December 24, 2020
Former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis has explained his decision to sign with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Pettis last fought at UFC Vegas 17 last weekend, where he picked up a unanimous decision win over Alex Morono at welterweight. That victory marked the final obligation on the former champion’s latest UFC contract.
PFL champ Kayla Harrison to fight once more in 2020
Tom Taylor - December 15, 2020
Reigning PFL women’s lightweight champion Kayla Harrison will compete one more time before she closes the door on the year 2020. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, steps into the Titan FC cage this Thursday to face Jozette Cotton. The bout takes place from the Intercontinental Hotel in Miami and streams live on UFC Fight Pass.
Claressa Shields: "MMA fans need to bow down and kiss my feet"
Adam Martin - December 9, 2020
The No. 1 pound-for-pound female boxer in the world, Claressa Shields, says that “MMA fans need to bow down and kiss her feet” ahead of her pro debut. Shields, a former Olympic gold medalist in boxing, has been teasing a debut in mixed martial arts for a few years now. Many thought that she would sign with the UFC outright due to her name recognition in boxing, but Shields surprised the MMA world when she decided to sign with PFL, instead. The Flint, Michigan native will make her mixed martial arts debut sometime in 2021 in a non-tournament bout in PFL, and it’s a big deal.
10 lightweights to watch in MMA in 2021
bjpenndotcom - December 9, 2020
The lightweight division is widely considered the best weight class in all of MMA, and it looks like it could be better than ever in 2021. Despite the retirement of UFC lightweight champ Khabib Nurmagomedov—the division’s best fighter—a number of other world-class lightweights are poised to accomplish huge things in the New Year.
Fan-favorite Clay Collard ready for PFL, boxing success
Tom Taylor - December 8, 2020
If there is one thing Clay Collard wants you to remember when he leaves the cage or boxing ring, it is that he gave everything he had. Collard, who will compete in the upcoming Professional Fighters League lightweight regular season in 2021, steps back into the boxing ring for Top Rank Boxing this Saturday night.
Conor McGregor sends advice, encouragement to PFL-bound Claressa Shields
Tom Taylor - December 7, 2020
Former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor has some words of advice for boxing star Claressa Shields, who will transition to MMA under the PFL banner in 2021. Shields, a three-division boxing champ at just 25 years old, will make her MMA debut in the PFL cage in 2021. Ahead of that debut, Shields has been training at JacksonWink MMA alongside former UFC champs Jon Jones and Holly Holm. She’s also received some advice from another former UFC champ in McGregor.
Claressa Shields trains with Jon Jones, Holly Holm ahead of MMA move
Tom Taylor - December 7, 2020
Three-division boxing champion Claressa Shields has enlisted the help of two former UFC champs as she prepares to transition into mixed martial arts. Shields, widely considered one of the greatest female boxers of all time, recently signed with the Professional Fighters League, where she will begin her MMA journey in 2021.