Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Derek Brunson responds after Gegard Mousasi accuses him of turning down multiple fight offers
Harry Kettle - December 22, 2023
Derek Brunson and Gegard Mousasi have gone back and forth on social media over a potential showdown in PFL. Ever since PFL purchased Bellator, many questions have been circulating regarding what it means for both promotions. There are so many elite fighters on both rosters, and it seems as if we’ll see many of them square off in 2024.
Cris Cyborg admits elusive Kayla Harrison bout could be her last: "Could finish my career after that"
Josh Evanoff - December 21, 2023
A potential bout with former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison could be it for Cris Cyborg. The Brazilian has been out of the cage since a knockout win over Cat Zingano at Bellator 300 in October. That victory may go down as the final of Cris Cyborg’s women’s featherweight title reign. The following month, the Scott Coker-led promotion was bought out by the PFL. On paper, that should make a long-awaited bout with Kayla Harrison a reality.
Gegard Mousasi demands opponent for PFL debut after Derek Brunson declined: "I am ready"
Josh Evanoff - December 20, 2023
Former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is ready to fight Derek Brunson in the PFL. ‘The Dreamcatcher’ hasn’t been seen in the cage since a fight against Fabian Edwards in May. At Bellator 296, he suffered a unanimous decision loss, his second in a row. As it turns out, that will be Gegard Mousasi’s final bout in the promotion, as they’ve since been bought out by the PFL. The deal went down in November, just weeks before their championship card.
Tyron Woodley calls for PFL trilogy bout with Jake Paul: "Fighting anybody in MMA outside of me is disrespect"
Josh Evanoff - December 19, 2023
Tyron Woodley finds it a bit disrespectful he’s not in the conversation for Jake Paul’s PFL debut. ‘The Problem Child’ is fresh off his return to the ring over the weekend. On Friday night, Jake Paul moved to 8-1, with a knockout win over Andre August. Following the victory, there was naturally talk of his PFL debut. Ever since the beginning of his boxing career, he’s teased a move to the cage.
Jake Paul reignites feud with Dana White over PFL comments: "The UFC is falling!"
Josh Evanoff - December 15, 2023
PFL star Jake Paul is firing shots at Dana White just hours ahead of his boxing return. ‘The Problem Child’ is currently expected to return to the ring later tonight in Orlando. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz in August, Jake Paul will face Andre August. The 10-1-1 pro boxer is a big underdog for the contest, but one has to figure that names such as Dana White will be cheering him on.
Deontay Wilder reveals what he needs in order to accept mixed rules bout with former UFC champion Francis Ngannou
Fernando Quiles - December 8, 2023
Deontay Wilder has listed what to be done in order for a mixed rules bout with Francis Ngannou to come to fruition. Ngannou has forced his way into the boxing conversation thanks to his performance against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Despite losing the 10-round heavyweight tilt via split decision, Ngannou was praised for scoring a knockdown on Fury and nearly pulling off a massive upset.
Michael Chandler gives his take on 'Bittersweet' Bellator-PFL sale: "They were important to me"
Josh Evanoff - December 7, 2023
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is a bit sad to see their recent sale to the PFL. ‘Iron’ is now one of the UFC’s biggest stars and most entertaining fighters. Although, Michael Chandler hasn’t been seen in the cage since a submission loss to Dustin Poirier well over a year ago. Now, the former Bellator champion has been stuck on the sidelines, waiting for a long-awaited fight with Conor McGregor.
John McCarthy believes Dana White's PFL comments spawn from frustration over missing out on Bellator fighters
Harry Kettle - December 6, 2023
John McCarthy has given his thoughts on UFC president Dana White’s recent comments regarding PFL purchasing Bellator. The MMA community has had a few weeks to digest the news that PFL has purchased Bellator. As you can imagine, there have been plenty of opinions flying around regarding what it means for the sport and for both brands moving forward.
UFC CEO Dana White reacts to the PFL purchasing Bellator: “One sh*tty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches buys another”
Fernando Quiles - December 3, 2023
UFC CEO Dana White continues to slam the PFL after the rival promotion purchased Bellator MMA. PFL founder Donn Davis told Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” that he feels the move was the quickest and most effective way to have a roster on par with the UFC’s talent pool. Clearly, White feels irritated at the thought of a rival promotion making an effort to raise its profile. White hasn’t been shy in expressing his belief that the PFL-Bellator merger makes no sense.
Ben Rothwell labels UFC welterweight veteran Matt Brown a “chained dog” for his comments about the PFL
Harry Kettle - December 1, 2023
MMA veteran Ben Rothwell has called out Matt Brown for remarks he made regarding the PFL-Bellator merger. Over the years, Ben Rothwell has established himself as a fan favorite in combat sports. Between mixed martial arts and bare-knuckle boxing, ‘Big Ben’ has been there and done it all.
'Company Man' Daniel Cormier laughs off PFL's attempt to challenge the UFC: "It's not close!"
Josh Evanoff - November 30, 2023
UFC commentator Daniel Cormier knows he’s biased, but he doesn’t see how the PFL can compete. Earlier this month, the Professional Fighters League completed their purchase of Bellator. Following the sale, Donn Davis and other executives stated that the move made them the number two company in the world. Furthermore, they see themselves as a future co-leader of MMA, alongside the UFC.
Olivier Aubin-Mercier admits that he felt nothing after winning PFL lightweight tournament: "It's not normal"
Josh Evanoff - November 27, 2023
PFL lightweight tournament winner Olivier Aubin-Mercier knew it was time on Friday night. Over the weekend, ‘The Canadian Gangster’ returned against Clay Collard in the main event of PFL 10. The pay-per-view offering saw the return of names such as Kayla Harrison but featured Olivier Aubin-Mercier in the main event. For his part, he entered the bout riding a nine-fight winning streak and won the previous lightweight season.
Kayla Harrison hopeful for Cris Cyborg fight after PFL-Bellator sale: "It feels closer than ever"
Josh Evanoff - November 22, 2023
Former PFL tournament winner Kayla Harrison doesn’t want to jinx it, but she might fight Cris Cyborg. The Olympic judoka is set to return to the PFL Smart Cage this Friday night against Aspen Ladd. Originally slated to face Julia Budd, the fight will be Kayla Harrison’s first in over a year. Famously, she suffered the first loss of her career last time out, suffering a decision defeat to Larissa Pacheco last Fall.
UFC veteran Matt Brown weighs in on the newly announces PFL-Bellator merger: “They’re a distant No. 2, that’s what it is”
Harry Kettle - November 22, 2023
UFC veteran Matt Brown has given his thoughts on PFL purchasing Bellator and how they now compare with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that the Professional Fighters League had acquired Bellator MMA. The two will now operate under the same roof, with PFL vs Bellator events also expected to take place at some point next year.
PFL’s Donn Davis wants Ngannou vs. Wilder to be a "mixed-rules" fight
Zain Bando - November 21, 2023
Monday marked a historic day for MMA, as Donn Davis’ PFL and Scott Coker’s Bellator unified to become second-fiddle to the UFC. It also teased speculation about what could be next on the boxing side of things, specifically for former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Donn Davis, who appeared on the latest edition of “The MMA Hour” with Ariel Helwani, said there is a possibility of Ngannou fighting Deontay Wilder, the former WBC heavyweight champion.
MMA fighters react to news that the PFL has acquired Bellator: “This is huge for the sport!”
Harry Kettle - November 21, 2023
A parade of past, present and future MMA fighters have reacted to the news that PFL has officially acquired Bellator. Earlier this week, it was announced that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) had officially purchased Bellator. It’s a move that has been heavily rumored for a while and now, it’s been confirmed. PFL’s Donn Davis ironed out some of the details in an appearance on The MMA Hour, but there are still plenty out there who are curious to see how it all goes down.
Donn Davis eyeing PFL vs. Bellator championship card for February: "Best card possible"
Josh Evanoff - November 20, 2023
PFL executive Donn Davis is hoping to see his best face Bellator’s early next year. Earlier today, the Bellator-PFL sale was made official. Throughout much of this year, the two companies were in talks, especially after Showtime made the decision to drop combat sports. While already rumored, the announcement this fall made Donn Davis and others get this deal finalized.
PFL founder Donn Davis believes Dana White is "worried" about their promotion
Cole Shelton - November 20, 2023
PFL founder Donn Davis thinks UFC CEO Dana White is worried about his promotion. The PFL announced on Monday that they bought Bellator in a massive deal that will change the landscape of MMA. Although the UFC is still the top promotion in MMA, Davis believes the PFL has White nervous that they can challenge them for the top spot.