Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Rory MacDonald believes Douglas Lima trilogy is still possible
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Rory MacDonald is no longer a Bellator fighter, having signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2020. While this promotion change has opened the door to some new and exciting matchups for MacDonald, it has seemingly closed the door on a trilogy fight between MacDonald and reigning Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima, who are currently tied 1-1 across two previous bouts. Yet MacDonald doesn’t see it that way.
PHOTO | Lance Palmer's father wore an interesting shirt at 2019 PFL Championship
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Last night, Lance Palmer became a two-time Professional Fighters League (PFL) champion, defeating Alex Gilpin by unanimous decision to win the featherweight belt. As usual, Palmer’s father Wayne was in the building to support, and he made a pretty interesting wardrobe choice for his night out. The elder Palmer was visible several times on broadcast. Fans promptly noticed that he was wearing a slightly doctored UFC shirt. Instead of reading Ultimate Fighting Championship, it read Ultimate Farting Championship.
Ray Cooper III wants to fight Rory MacDonald to avenge for BJ Penn
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
Last night, Hawaii’s Ray Cooper III became a millionaire, winning the PFL’s 2019 welterweight season by defeating David Michaud. While this victory is still fresh, Cooper is already looking ahead to the 2020 PFL season. This upcoming season will be particularly exciting for PFL welterweights given that the promotion recently signed former UFC title challenger and Bellator champ Rory MacDonald.
PFL 2019 Championship results: Kayla Harrison, Ray Cooper III win $1M
Tom Taylor - January 1, 2020
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) closed out its 2019 season on New Years Eve, meaning another group of fighters pocketed $1M prizes. In the card’s main event, Kayla Harrison won the lightweight championship by dominating Larissa Pachecho to a unanimous decision win.
PFL's Kayla Harrison believes she's 'probably the highest-paid female fighter in MMA right now'
Tom Taylor - December 30, 2019
Former Olympic judoka Kayla Harrison is a little over a day out from a championship clash with Larissa Pachecho. The winner of this bout, which headline the final Professional Fighters League (PFL) event of the year, will pocket a whopping $1M prize. In addition to this $1M prize, which is awarded to the champion of each weight class at the end of each PFL season, Harrison also has a lucrative, long-term contract with the league. She suspects this contract is among the most valuable in all of MMA. At the very least, Harrison believes she is probably the highest paid female fighter in the sport.
Scott Coker sends classy message to Rory MacDonald after Bellator exit
Tom Taylor - December 20, 2019
Earlier this week, news surfaced that former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald had parted ways with the promotion and signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Shortly thereafter, Bellator President Scott Coker took to Twitter with a classy message to his former fighter. See it below:
UFC veteran Ramsey Nijem suspended nine months for marijuana
Natasha Hooper - December 19, 2019
Ramsey Nijem has suffered the same fate as Nick Diaz, but with a significantly lighter penalty. In November, NSAC chief assistant Jeff Mullen announced to ESPN that Ramsey Nijem, Luis Rafael Laurentino and Glaico Franca tested positive for elevated banned substances.
Rory MacDonald on leaving Bellator for PFL: "It seemed like their interest in me kinda died"
Mike Pendleton - December 18, 2019
Former Bellator welterweight champion and UFC welterweight title challenger Rory MacDonald made headlines on Monday when it was announced by ESPN that he was leaving Bellator MMA and joining the Professional Fighters League. Following his shocking move, MacDonald joined Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show Podcast and discussed why he left Bellator MMA following his loss to Douglas Lima in October, as his contract expired after that fight.
Jake Shields not retired but not looking for fights
Cole Shelton - November 13, 2019
Jake Shields is keeping his options open. The 40-year-old has not fought since October 2018 at PFL 10 when he lost by TKO to Ray Cooper III for the second time in the year. He wanted to try out the tournament format, but at his age, he said he didn’t know if he wanted to fight so often to do it again.
PFL 2019 finals set for New Year's Eve finale in New York City
Adam Martin - November 1, 2019
The finals for all six PFL 2019 tournaments have been officially set for the promotion’s finale, which takes place on New Year’s Eve in New York City. PFL 2019: Week 10 takes place on December 31 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The event will air live on ESPN.
PFL tells Ali Abdelaziz not to attend any event until battery case is resolved
Mike Pendleton - October 16, 2019
Following an incident that took place at a recent Professional Fighters League event earlier this month, the PFL has requested that manager Ali Abdelaziz not attend any events moving forward. Abdelaziz was involved in an altercation with another manager, Abe Kawa, in which Las Vegas Police reported that Abdelaziz struck Kawa in the face with a closed fist. After the police opened up an investigation to the incident, PFL has decided to keep Abdelaziz away from events for the immediate future until the case is resolved. As first reported by Brett Okamoto of ESPN, the PFL has requested that Abdelaziz does not attend any PFL events.
PFL President confirms interest in Cris Cyborg
Tom Taylor - August 15, 2019
The battle for Cris Cyborg has begun. Weeks removed from her UFC release, the former UFC, Invicta and Strikeforce champion is already being courted by other promotions.
Kayla Harrison sends confident message to Cris Cyborg
Mike Heck - August 6, 2019
Kayla Harrison is not intimidated by Cris Cyborg, or the thought that the former UFC women’s featherweight champion may grace the Professional Fighters League with her presence. As a matter of fact, Harrison looks to welcome that challenge with open arms.
Sarah Kaufman feels Kayla Harrison gets 'preferential treatment'
Fernando Quiles - July 1, 2019
Kayla Harrison is considered to be the most popular star in PFL and Sarah Kaufman believes there is some special treatment going on. Harrison is a judo Olympic gold medalist, who has made the transition to mixed martial arts. She is 4-0 in her young professional mixed martial arts career. Harrison will go one-on-one with Morgan Frier at PFL 4 Season 2 on July 11, while Kaufman takes on Roberta Samad.
Jeremy Kennedy explains how he'll spend $1M if he wins PFL playoffs
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2019
UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy is set to make his PFL debut tonight when he takes on Luis Rafael after his initial opponent was pulled for missing weight. However, the opponent change isn’t impacting Kennedy, who is no doubt ready to fight and win all the same. This will be Kennedy’s first time competing in a tournament format. The 26-year-old is excited about the matchmaking integrity the tournament format ensures. He can let his fighting do the talking.
Lance Palmer targets second $1M PFL win with a new team behind him
Tom Taylor - May 23, 2019
Last year, Lance Palmer took his impressive MMA career to new heights, winning the featherweight playoffs in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and earning a gold belt and $1M prize for his efforts. This season, he’ll look to accomplish the same feat with a new team behind him. Ahead of his first PFL bout of the season, which will pit him against Alex Gilpin this very evening, Palmer has relocated to New Jersey where he is training under renowned coach Mark Henry.
PFL 1 results: Kayla Harrison, Ray Cooper III and Sarah Kaufman advance
Tom Taylor - May 10, 2019
On Thursday night, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) returned to our screens with the first instalment of its anticipated season. This PFL 1 card featured a number of high-profile bouts in the compelling PFL women’s lightweight and men’s welterweight divisions. In the PFL 1 main event, promotional golden child Kayla Harrison picked up the biggest victory of her career, defeating the experienced Larissa Pachecho via unanimous decision, picking up three points in the process.
Kayla Harrison likes her chances against Khabib Nurmagomedov in a Judo match
Drake Riggs - May 7, 2019
When it comes to Judo players in MMA, there is no one better right now than PFL lightweight, Kayla Harrison. The undefeated 3-0 American Top Team product is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and her dominance has so far carried over to the MMA world with great effect.