Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 127 with Shane Burgos, Randy Brown, and Gillian Robertson
Cole Shelton - June 20, 2023
The 127th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of 2023 PFL 6 and UFC Jacksonville aka UFC on ABC 5. We’re first joined by former UFC featherweight and current PFL lightweight Shane Burgos (1:38). Next, UFC welterweight Randy Brown (13:42) comes on. Closing out the program is UFC strawweight Gillian Robertson (28:26).
PFL 5 Fighter Salaries: Aspen Ladd earns $92k more than opponent Karolina Sobek
Harry Kettle - June 19, 2023
The fighter salaries for PFL 5 have been released, highlighting a big gap between Aspen Ladd and her defeated opponent. Following yet another PFL event last week, the promotion is rolling through to the halfway point of their annual season. A parade of big fights took place at the event, in addition to a showdown between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones, with one of the biggest names on the card itself being Aspen Ladd.
Scott Coker opens up on reports about the PFL buying Bellator
Cole Shelton - June 15, 2023
Scott Coker has opened up on the rumor that the PFL is buying Bellator. It was recently reported that Bellator is up for sale and PFL was in talks to buy them. It was unknown if they would merge into one promotion, but UFC president Dana White was shocked PFL was trying to buy Bellator.
Aspen Ladd plans to "start faster" at PFL 5 believing she needs "a first-round finish" to advance to playoffs
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
Aspen Ladd knows the stakes are high for her 2023 PFL 5 fight against Karolina Sobek. Ladd lost her season-opening fight by a majority decision to Olena Kolesnyk. It was a close fight that Ladd really took over late in the bout, so with that, she knows she needs to start faster and be aggressive out of the gate.
Just Scrap Radio Ep. 126 with Aspen Ladd, Modestas Bukauskas, Kyle Daukaus, Miles Johns, and Nikolas Motta
Cole Shelton - June 13, 2023
The 126th episode of Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com with host Cole Shelton is live ahead of 2023 PFL 5, UFC Vegas 75, and CFFC 120 this weekend. We’re first joined by PFL featherweight Aspen Ladd (3:05). Next, UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas (11:58) stops by. Former UFC middleweight and current CFFC fighter Kyle Daukaus (28:57) then comes on. UFC bantamweight Miles Johns (44:53) joins the program. Closing out the show is UFC lightweight Nikolas Motta (57:26).
Brendan Loughnane issues statement following shocking loss to Jesus Pinedo at PFL 4
Susan Cox - June 9, 2023
Brendan Loughnane has issued a statement following his shocking loss to Jesus Pinedo at PFL 4. PFL 4 took place yesterday, Thursday, June 8th at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Deontay Wilder confirms he’s had talks about fighting Francis Ngannou: “Something that could truly happen”
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
Heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder has confirmed that he has held talks with Francis Ngannou’s team regarding a fight between the two. When you think of heavy hitters in boxing, you think of Deontay Wilder. ‘The Bronze Bomber’ is one of the most ferocious knockout artists in the history of the sport, and he’s far from done yet.
Watch | Dan Hardy’s live reaction to Jesus Pinedo upsetting Brendan Loughnane at PFL 4 (Video)
Harry Kettle - June 9, 2023
PFL commentator Dan Hardy couldn’t hide his disappointment in seeing Brendan Loughnane get finished last night. Ever since leaving the UFC, Dan Hardy has been a hot commodity. He’s incredibly knowledgable within the industry, he’s passionate, and he’s a fantastic commentator. So, then, it’s no surprise that PFL showed great interest in bringing him over.
WATCH | Marlon Moraes suffers seventh-straight knockout loss at PFL 4, announces retirement
Cole Shelton - June 8, 2023
Marlon Moraes suffered another knockout loss this evening and subsequently announced his retirement from MMA. Moraes was taking on Gabriel Braga on the prelims of PFL 4 in the second and final regular season matchup for the featherweights. Right away, Braga went after Moraes and appeared to stun him with a hard shot.
Reigning champ Rob Wilkinson becomes 10th PFL fighter to fail a drug test, removed from 2023 season
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2023
Rob Wilkinson, the reigning PFL light heavyweight champion, has failed a drug test and been removed from the 2023 season. MMAMania was the first to report the news that Wilkinson has been pulled from PFL 4, which takes place on June 8 after failing a drug test following his win over former UFC title challenger, Thiago Santos, at PFL 1 in April.
Randy Couture reacts after Dana White claims Francis Ngannou's PFL deal makes no sense: "I just turned it off"
Cole Shelton - May 31, 2023
PFL commentator and UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture didn’t care what Dana White had to say after Francis Ngannou signed with the PFL. Following UFC Vegas 73, White was asked about Ngannou’s deal when he claimed he didn’t know much about it, but then went on a rant explaining why it doesn’t make sense.
Randy Couture believes Francis Ngannou signing with PFL makes them the clear number two promotion
Cole Shelton - May 30, 2023
UFC Hall of Famer and current PFL commentator, Randy Couture believes the PFL is the clear number two promotion after signing Francis Ngannou. After Ngannou fought out his UFC deal, he made it clear he wanted to box but also wanted to continue his MMA career. After months of negotiating, Ngannou signed with the Professional Fighters League, which was a huge acquisition for the promotion. With that, Couture says this is just the first step in becoming the biggest MMA promotion.
PFL founder Donn Davis takes aim at Dana White over his criticism of Francis Ngannou's contract
Cole Shelton - May 23, 2023
Donn Davis, the founder of PFL, has fired back at Dana White. Last week, Francis Ngannou officially signed his contract with PFL and he is expected to debut in 2024, as well as getting to be an executive in PFL Africa among others. Although all the details weren’t out there, UFC president, Dana White was surprised by PFL’s deal as he doesn’t think the promotion knows what they are doing.
Henry Cejudo questions “where the hell is PFL getting all this money” following Francis Ngannou acquisition
Harry Kettle - May 23, 2023
Henry Cejudo has questioned where PFL is getting its funding from following their recent deal with Francis Ngannou. The recent acquisition of Francis Ngannou was huge news for PFL. They’ve been making steady gains for a while now, but bringing in a name like Francis was a real statement of intent. They made it known that they aren’t here to mess around, offering ‘The Predator’ an incredibly lucrative deal.
Brendan Schaub questions if Francis Ngannou signing is a great deal for the PFL: “History would say no”
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2023
Former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub has called Francis Ngannou’s PFL deal into question after it was announced earlier this week. As most of us know, Francis Ngannou has officially signed with PFL. While some of the reactions from fans were mixed, a lot of fighters came out to voice their support for ‘The Predator’. In addition to fighting for PFL, he’ll also be allowed to venture into the boxing ring.
UFC champion Israel Adesanya weighs in on Francis Ngannou signing with PFL: “It creates a big ripple in the game”
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2023
UFC champion Israel Adesanya has praised Francis Ngannou following the announcement that he has signed a deal with PFL. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Francis Ngannou had signed with PFL. In addition to the signing itself, plenty of details were also released, which included guaranteed seven-figure purses for his opponents, a big role in PFL Africa, the ability to compete in boxing and more. Whichever way you look at it, Francis Ngannou will be making a lot of money.
Jake Paul sends welcome message to “baddest man on the planet” Francis Ngannou after signing with PFL
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Jake Paul is sending a welcome message to the ‘baddest man on the planet’, Francis Ngannou, after signing with PFL. The news broke this morning that Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, had signed with the Professional Fighters League.
Francis Ngannou names the boxer he plans to face before making his PFL debut
Susan Cox - May 16, 2023
Francis Ngannou is naming the boxer he plans to face before making his PFL debut. The former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, made headlines today, Tuesday, May 16th, when it was revealed that he signed a multi-fight, exclusive MMA contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).