Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Daniel Cormier says Francis Ngannou will have to "Channel" emotions correctly in MMA return after son's death
Curtis Calhoun - September 26, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champions Daniel Cormier and Francis Ngannou have both experienced unimaginable tragedies during their combat sports careers. Ngannou is scheduled to return to the MMA cage to make his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira on October 19th in Riyadh. He’ll make his return to MMA just mere months after the tragic death of his son, Kobe, after a medical emergency in Cameroon.
Tommy Fury offers to fight Jake Paul in the PFL after training with Tom Aspinall: "I'll beat him in the ring and cage"
Josh Evanoff - September 20, 2024
Tommy Fury is willing to be Jake Paul’s first opponent in the PFL cage. ‘TNT’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports for nearly a year. Tommy Fury last appeared in the boxing ring last October, against YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI. Despite some early trouble from ‘The Nightmare’, the younger brother of Tyson Fury wound up securing a unanimous decision victory.
PFL CEO opens up on Jake Paul's MMA debut ahead of Mike Tyson bout: "His opponent will be very credible"
Josh Evanoff - September 18, 2024
PFL CEO Peter Murray still believes Jake Paul will get in the cage one day. ‘The Problem Child’ signed with the PFL in early 2023. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was one of many big signings around that time, including former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. However, while ‘The Predator’ is finally set to enter the cage next month, Jake Paul lacks an MMA fight date.
Video | Dana White reacts to Donn Davis’ claim that the PFL has spent more money on ‘Ngannou vs. Ferreira’ than the Ultimate Fighting Championship did with UFC 306
Harry Kettle - September 18, 2024
UFC president Dana White has given his thoughts on Donn Davis’ recent claims regarding PFL and their expenditures. This past weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship put on a mammoth event at the Sphere in Las Vegas. They spent a great deal of money doing so, too, making for one of the most unique events in the history of mixed martial arts. Dana White served as a huge part of the process, and he made it clear that they were going all in.
Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards 2 added to the undercard of PFL's 'Battle Of The Giants' PPV
Josh Evanoff - September 17, 2024
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen will face Fabian Edwards next month on PFL pay-per-view. The two met in the main event of Bellator 299 last September in Dublin. Despite Johnny Eblen entering the cage a massive betting favorite, Fabian Edwards gave him the toughest bout of his career. However, the wrestler still retained his title via a brutal third-round knockout. Post-fight, tensions flared, and Eblen nearly fought Edwards’ brother, former UFC champion Leon Edwards.
Dan Hardy reveals plans for MMA return with the PFL: "I gave them three or four names"
Josh Evanoff - September 13, 2024
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Dan Hardy is interested in fighting for the PFL. As most fans are aware, the man known as ‘The Outlaw’ hasn’t competed in over a decade. Dan Hardy last fought Amir Sadollah in September 2012, picking up a unanimous decision victory. The following year, the British striker was diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, a heart condition.
Francis Ngannou is still focused on his boxing career ahead of his PFL debut: "Why not fight everyone?"
Josh Evanoff - August 28, 2024
PFL heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou still has an eye on the boxing ring. ‘The Predator’ is set to return to the cage in October in Saudi Arabia. There, Francis Ngannou will make his PFL debut against former tournament winner Renan Ferreira. The bout will be the former UFC champion’s first, since handing Ciryl Gane a unanimous decision loss back in January 2022. Following that victory, Ngannou headed to the boxing ring.
Larissa Pacheco anticipates excuses after Cris Cyborg bout at PFL Super Fight: "I don’t owe anyone anything"
Fernando Quiles - August 28, 2024
Larissa Pacheco can already hear the excuses if she defeats Cris Cyborg on the October 10th PFL Super Fight card. Pacheco and Cyborg are set to collide on the same night that former UFC Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou makes his PFL debut. “The Predator” will headline against Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Some hardcore fans are looking forward to Pacheco vs. Cyborg even more given that Larissa is the only fighter to hand Kayla Harrison a loss in her pro MMA career.
PFL changes tune on potential signing of former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev: “He could absolutely be the future face of Flyweights”
Harry Kettle - August 22, 2024
PFL has seemingly changed their tune on the idea of signing former UFC flyweight star Muhammad Mokaev. Over the course of the last few weeks, Muhammad Mokaev has had to do some serious self-reflection. Despite his win over Manel Kape at UFC 304, he was released from his contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Then, when PFL’s Ray Sefo was asked about the idea of signing him, he swiftly turned it down.
REPORT | AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes targeted for upcoming PFL PPV card
Curtis Calhoun - August 13, 2024
Former Bellator titleholder AJ McKee will reportedly return to the cage against surging star Paul Hughes in October. MMA Fighting‘s Mike Heck was among the first to report the news of McKee vs. Hughes.
Francis Ngannou hoping to make statement in PFL debut against Renan Ferreria: "A reminder for who I am"
Josh Evanoff - August 8, 2024
Former UFC champion Francis Ngannou couldn’t be more ready for his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen in combat sports since his knockout loss to Anthony Joshua earlier this year. That bout was Francis Ngannou’s second in the boxing ring, just months removed from a split-decision loss to Tyson Fury. With two boxing matches under his belt, the former UFC champion will now return to the cage.
PFL president confirms they aren't interested in signing Muhammad Mokaev
Harry Kettle - August 3, 2024
PFL president Ray Sefo has explained why the promotion isn’t interested in signing former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev. Last weekend, Muhammad Mokaev managed to defeat Manel Kape in a tight flyweight collision at UFC 304. From there, the expectation was that he would go on to receive a UFC flyweight championship opportunity. Instead, though, Dana White revealed that they would not be offering him a new contract with the promotion.
Former UFC star Francis Ngannou defends his professional boxing career
Harry Kettle - August 2, 2024
Joe Rogan endorses Cédric Doumbé's superstar potential in PFL: "Big loss for the UFC!"
Curtis Calhoun - July 23, 2024
Joe Rogan feels the UFC made a significant error in not sealing the deal on securing Cédric Doumbé’s MMA career. Doumbé bounced back from his first professional MMA loss by knocking out Jaleel Willis at Bellator Paris in May. He got back in the win column following a controversial loss to Baissangour Chamsoudinov in March.
Francis Ngannou announces PFL debut against Renan Ferreira is expected for October 19th in Saudi Arabia
Josh Evanoff - July 23, 2024
Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira will finally be going down in the PFL cage later this year. ‘The Predator’ hasn’t been seen since his second-round knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in February. The defeat was a devastating one for Francis Ngannou. Just a few months after nearly upsetting Tyson Fury in the boxing ring, he was utterly dominated by ‘AJ’. However, what the loss did guarantee was his return to the world of MMA.
PFL President provides an encouraging update on Francis Ngannou's MMA return
Curtis Calhoun - July 18, 2024
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou’s long-awaited PFL debut is drawing near, according to one of the league’s top officials. Ngannou hasn’t fought in MMA since a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. One year after the fight, Ngannou opted to part ways with the UFC following a lengthy, strained contract dispute.
Jake Paul wants PFL fight against Mike Perry after boxing match: "My wrestling background is going to come out!"
Josh Evanoff - July 10, 2024
After Jake Paul faces Mike Perry in the boxing ring, he’s down to face him in the PFL cage. ‘The Problem Child’ and ‘Platinum’ are currently set to collide on July 20th in Florida. Jake Paul was originally set to meet Mike Tyson on that same date, but ‘Iron Mike’ was forced out due to medical issues. After the legendary heavyweight was forced to pull out, Mike Perry stepped up on a few weeks’ notice.
Renan Ferreira says he is just “waiting on the date” for Francis Ngannou showdown: “I’ve been ready for this”
Harry Kettle - June 20, 2024
PFL champion Renan Ferreira has said that he’s waiting on a date for his seemingly inevitable showdown with Francis Ngannou. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Francis Ngannou compete in a mixed martial arts setting. In recent times, he’s been focused on boxing. He battled Tyson Fury in an incredibly close fight, before going on to take on Anthony Joshua. While he did lose via knockout, nobody can deny that he’s made the biggest paydays of his career since leaving the UFC.
PFL re-signs undefeated prospect 'Baki' following upset victory over Cedric Doumbe
Josh Evanoff - June 18, 2024
The undefeated Baissangour ‘Baki’ Chamsoudinov will be sticking with the PFL. The 22-year-old prospect known to many fans online simply as ‘Baki’ is considered one of the brightest talents at welterweight. The Frenchman currently holds an undefeated 8-0 record inside the cage, last appearing at PFL Europe 1 in March. There, Baissangour Chamsoudinov met fellow prospect, Cedric Doumbe.