Professional Fighters League (PFL) News
Cris Cyborg announces boxing return after PFL talks fall through: "I want to be active"
Josh Evanoff - February 8, 2024
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg is heading back to the boxing ring. It’s been a strange few months for the Brazilian. In October, Cris Cyborg scored yet another title defense in a heated fight against Cat Zingano at Bellator 300. The first-round victory took place just weeks before the Scott Coker-led company was sold to the PFL.
Bellator champion Cris Cyborg tired of waiting for another fight, says Larissa Pacheco bout could be slipping away in 2024
Fernando Quiles - February 4, 2024
Cris Cyborg is looking for a fight, but she does not plan on waiting around. When the PFL announced its acquisition of Bellator MMA, it turned many heads within the MMA world. Most Bellator champions appeared to be on board with PFL founder Donn Davis and his vision. In fact, many of them were in attendance for the PFL 2023 championship event. There was one titleholder who wasn’t ready to dive in headfirst, however, and that was Cris Cyborg.
Cris Cyborg takes shot at PFL over slow-moving negotiations: "Starting to understand why Kayla tried to leave"
Josh Evanoff - January 30, 2024
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg appears to be unhappy with the PFL. It’s been a weird month or so for the legendary Brazilian. At the start of the month, Cris Cyborg was eyeing a potential bout with longtime rival Kayla Harrison for later this year. In the meantime, she booked a boxing match against Kelsey Wickstrum, the third of her career.
46-year-old Yoel Romero downplays age ahead of PFL vs. Bellator card: "My performances have been good!"
Josh Evanoff - January 26, 2024
46-year-old Yoel Romero believes that his age is somewhat of an advantage ahead of his return at PFL vs. Bellator next month. ‘Soldier of God’ has been out of the cage since a clash with Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 297 in June. That bout was a major one for Yoel Romero, as it was his first title bout since a 2020 decision loss to Israel Adesanya. To earn the bout, he scored dominant knockout wins over Melvin Manhoef, and Alex Polizzi.
PFL vs. Bellator pay-per-view event loses welterweight title fight
Harry Kettle - January 23, 2024
The upcoming PFL vs Bellator pay-per-view has lost a major welterweight showdown, according to a recent report. On February 24, we will see a blockbuster PFL vs Bellator: Champions event go down in Saudi Arabia. It serves as the first major show of this kind since PFL purchased Bellator, and both promotions are bringing their A-game when it comes to the actual card.
PFL's Donn Davis takes shot after UFC postpones 'poor' Saudi Arabia event: "I don't think it's any coincidence"
Josh Evanoff - January 17, 2024
PFL executive Donn Davis believes that it’s not a coincidence that the UFC recently moved their March Saudi Arabia event. The rising organization is primed for a big, big 2024. With names such as Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul poised to finally make their promotional debut this year, the PFL is excited about their future. A big part of that future is the influx of cash from Saudi Arabia.
Several bouts announced for PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos
Susan Cox - January 16, 2024
Several bouts have been announced for the PFL vs. Bellator event, including Yoel Romero vs. Thiago Santos. The much-anticipated PFL vs. Bellator event is set for Saturday, February 24th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
PFL CEO confirms interest in booking Cedric Doumbe against former UFC champion: "They both want to fight"
Josh Evanoff - January 11, 2024
PFL CEO Peter Murray is serious about putting Cedric Doumbe vs. Anthony Pettis together. ‘The Beast’ has the potential to be the Donn Davis-led promotion’s first massive star. A former two-time Glory Kickboxing champion, he was heavily pursued by the UFC. However, he was released from the company in early 2023, for various reasons after a brief stint. Later in the year, Cedric Doumbe signed with the PFL. In late September, made his debut for the company.
Francis Ngannou commits to PFL fight despite Anthony Joshua boxing match: "We're in business together"
Josh Evanoff - January 8, 2024
Despite his boxing match against Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou is still planning on fighting in the PFL. Last week, ‘The Predator’ signed his return to the boxing ring against ‘AJ’. Just a few months removed from his split-decision loss to Tyson Fury, Francis Ngannou will look to earn his first win. For his part, Anthony Joshua enters the matchup riding a three-fight winning streak. He last defeated Otto Wallin by knockout last month, before his plans for a Deontay Wilder clash this Spring were foiled.
Cris Cyborg alleges Kayla Harrison turned down long-awaited PFL fight: "We accepted the bout"
Josh Evanoff - January 3, 2024
Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg reportedly won’t be fighting Kayla Harrison in the PFL. Late last year, the Scott Coker-led MMA promotion was bought out by the PFL. As a result, Donn Davis and company quickly began to plan several big matchups. One of those matchups, is multiple-time tournament winner Kayla Harrison, against the legendary Cris Cyborg.
Derek Brunson reveals he earned his “biggest payday ever” in PFL debut: “It’s a lot more than the UFC”
Harry Kettle - January 3, 2024
PFL star Derek Brunson has revealed that he earned a pretty nice payday in his debut for the promotion. For so many years, Derek Brunson was a consistent fixture in the UFC’s middleweight division. He never fought for the title, but he did compete against some of the biggest and best names at 185 pounds.
RIZIN's Nobuyuki Sakakibara open to PFL co-promotion after Bellator sale: "Doors always open"
Josh Evanoff - December 28, 2023
RIZIN President Nobuyuki Sakakibara is open to working with PFL and Donn Davis, but it will take some time. The annual New Year’s event for RIZIN is slated for this weekend. Headlined by Kyoji Horiguchi’s rematch against Makoto Takahashi, the card also features high-profile names such as Juan Archuleta, Kai Asakura, John Dodson, and more. While a fun event, this year’s event will look radically different than last year’s.
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.