Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
PFL signs former Bellator champion Douglas Lima to new deal after prior complaint about lack of fight offers
Josh Evanoff - May 28, 2024
It seems that former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima will be sticking with the PFL. It’s been a rough few months for the Donn Davis-led MMA company. Late last year, the PFL finalized their purchase of Bellator and overhauled their roster. The addition of the likes of Cris Cyborg, Douglas Lima, A.J. McKee, and more had Davis confident that they could challenge the juggernaut that is the UFC.
Gegard Mousasi's management releases statement after PFL release: "There is a greater lesson here"
Josh Evanoff - May 23, 2024
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi has officially parted ways with the PFL. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ hasn’t competed since a unanimous decision loss to Fabian Edwards last May. That defeat at Bellator 296 went down months before the company was sold to the PFL. While Gegard Mousasi was linked to a clash with Derek Brunson in December, he never wound up fighting for the Donn Davis-led company.
PFL releases Gegard Mousasi after he threatens to sue the promotion
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2024
The PFL has released former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi. The promotion sent out a release announcing they have released Mousasi from his contract, just one day after he voiced his complaints with the promotion.
PFL's Donn Davis uses NBA stars LeBron James and Kevin Durant to diss UFC contender Kayla Harrison
Fernando Quiles - May 23, 2024
PFL owner Donn Davis has reacted to Kayla Harrison leaving his promotion in favor of UFC. Harrison made her UFC debut a successful one by submitting former bantamweight champion Holly Holm in the second round. Harrison was on a big stage for her promotional debut at UFC 300, but she passed her first test with flying colors. Harrison was widely praised for her performance and many are wondering how much longer it’ll be before she challenges for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Gegard Mousasi threatens "legal action" against PFL over not getting fights
Cole Shelton - May 22, 2024
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is threatening to sue the PFL. Mousasi has not fought since the PFL has bought Bellator and he has voiced his frustration because of that. Mousasi is not the only Bellator fighter to complain about not getting fights, as Douglas Lima and Cris Cyborg have had the same complaints.
PFL issues statement after Douglas Lima accuses league of not fulfilling his contract (Exclusive)
Curtis Calhoun - May 17, 2024
Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is becoming increasingly frustrated with the PFL’s alleged lack of transparency when it comes to fulfilling his contract. Lima, along with the Bellator roster, merged under the PFL banner after the league purchased Bellator in 2023. Since the merger, Lima hasn’t competed and hasn’t fought since a win over Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 296.
Dan Hardy gives raw, honest response to Dana White's latest PFL/Bellator jabs: 'We're not perfect!'
Curtis Calhoun - May 7, 2024
PFL analyst and former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy admits that PFL has a long way to go before being universally recognized as a sustainable MMA product. UFC president and CEO Dana White has used some of his recent media availability to mock PFL’s popularity and standing in MMA. After a successful night at UFC 300, White aimed at PFL/Bellator for a low attendance the night before the UFC’s historic pay-per-view event.
Paul Hughes explains decision to sign with PFL over the UFC: “I deserve to get compensated”
Harry Kettle - May 2, 2024
Cage Warriors champion Paul Hughes has explained why he decided to sign for PFL ahead of UFC. For those of you who don’t know, Paul Hughes is a fascinating lightweight prospect. From his fight style to his impressive 11-1 pro record, there was always going to be a lot of intrigue when it comes to where he was going to sign next. In the end, though, instead of joining the likes of fellow countrymen Conor McGregor and Ian Machado Garry in the UFC, he opted for PFL.
Gegard Mousasi's manager explains current situation with PFL: "It surely doesn’t feel like a priority for them at Gegard’s detriment"
Fernando Quiles - April 21, 2024
Gegard Mousasi’s manager doesn’t feel the PFL is making an honest effort to welcome his fighter to the promotion. Mousasi recently told MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn that attempts from his manager, Nima Safapour, to reach out to PFL have gone unanswered. Mousasi is a member of the Bellator roster and that remains the case after PFL purchased the promotion.
Jake Paul announces plans for PFL MMA debut after Mike Tyson fight: "I'm so serious"
Josh Evanoff - April 18, 2024
Jake Paul wants to finally make his MMA debut in the PFL later this year after boxing Mike Tyson. ‘The Problem Child’ is currently slated to compete against ‘Iron Mike’ on July 20th. The boxing match will air on Netflix, the first time that the streaming service will broadcast a fight. For Jake Paul, the fight is expected to be the biggest and most profitable of his career thus far. However, it could also be his last boxing match for a while.
Jorge Masvidal addresses Jake Paul over talk of a potential PFL fight: "I'd kick your f*cking kneecap off your fragile body"
Josh Evanoff - April 15, 2024
Former UFC welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal has some strong words for Jake Paul. ‘Gamebred’ signed a deal to face Nate Diaz in the boxing ring on June 1st. For Jorge Masvidal, the boxing match will be the second of his career, last defeating Joseph Benjamin all the way back in June 2005. The bout will also be the welterweight’s first, since retiring after a loss to Gilbert Burns last April.
Cris Cyborg announces PFL debut against Larissa Pacheco is finally set: "It's happening!"
Josh Evanoff - April 15, 2024
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is ready to face Larissa Pacheco in the PFL. Many athletes have had their careers radically changed by the PFL’s decision to buy Bellator last year. However, few have been more impacted than the great Cris Cyborg. The women’s featherweight champion last scored a knockout win over Cat Zingano in October at Bellator 300. Post-fight, she faced off with Leah McCourt, in what was expected to be her next fight.
MMA legend Cris Cyborg set to return to the boxing ring at Green Bay Fight Night on April 27
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
Mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg will make her boxing return against Widnelly Figueroa at Green Bay Fight Night. On April 27, as per a press release, Cris Cyborg will return to the squared circle. She’ll be putting her unbeaten 3-0 pro record on the line against Widnelly Figueroa (0-2), in a move that has come as a surprise to many.
Former title challenger Taila Santos opens up on her unexpected departure from the UFC: “I wasn’t very happy”
Harry Kettle - April 4, 2024
Former UFC title contender Taila Santos has given her thoughts on her unexpected release from the promotion. Following her bout with Valentina Shevchenko, many felt as if Taila Santos was the rightful UFC women’s flyweight champion. Alas, she didn’t get the nod on the scorecards, and she went on to lose to Erin Blanchfield last summer. From there, she was released by the UFC, which left many feeling confused as she was seen as a top fighter in the division.
Former boxing world champion Savannah Marshall to make PFL debut in June
Josh Evanoff - April 2, 2024
Former women’s boxing champion Savannah Marshall will make her PFL debut on June 8th. ‘The Silent Assassin’ is currently one of the bigger names in women’s boxing. A former Olympian, Savannah Marshall has found massive success in the professional ranks. She earned her first world title in October 2020 and kept on winning. Eventually, she set the stage for a rematch of sorts with Claressa Shields.
Cris Cyborg refutes Donn Davis’ claim that their business relationship is totally fine: “I want a meeting in person”
Harry Kettle - March 25, 2024
MMA legend Cris Cyborg has refuted the idea that her relationship with PFL boss Donn Davis is in a positive place. For years now, Cris Cyborg has been known as one of the biggest female stars in the history of mixed martial arts. Her resume speaks for itself, and now, she’s also kickstarted a venture into the world of boxing.
PFL announces summer pay-per-view event featuring promotional debuts of Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg
Josh Evanoff - March 20, 2024
Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg will reportedly be making their PFL debuts later this year. ‘The Predator’ is fresh off his return to the boxing ring against Anthony Joshua. The boxing match was Francis Ngannou’s second as a member of the PFL roster. The Donn Davis-led company gave the former UFC champion their blessing to compete in the ring, but after suffering a loss to ‘AJ’, he’s now set to return to MMA.
Cedric Doumbe puts blame on Marc Goddard for odd PFL Europe loss: "He didn't want to listen to me!"
Josh Evanoff - March 12, 2024
PFL star Cedric Doumbe feels that his loss to Baissangour Chamsoudinov was thanks to Marc Goddard. Late last week, the former Glory Kickboxing champion returned to the PFL cage. Last September, Cedric Doumbe fought in the Donn Davis-led promotion, in a heavily-hyped debut. There, the welterweight faced fellow unbeaten prospect Jordan Zebo, knocking him out in nine seconds.