All articles tagged with #pfl
Usman Nurmagomedov outworked and dominated Alfie Davis, finishing him with an unorthodox arm-triangle choke hybrid in the third round to retain the PFL lightweight title in Dubai, extending his unbeaten run to 22 fights and marking a fifth title defense.
Usman Nurmagomedov defended his PFL lightweight title against Alfie Davis in the main event at PFL Dubai, preserving his flawless 20-0 (with one no-contest) pro record. The card also featured a welterweight title bout between Ramazan Kuramagomedov and Shamil Musaev in the co-main, along with several prelims and undercard wins, including Luke Trainer's submission of Rob Wilkinson, Khabib Nabiev's TKO over Ahmed Sami, and Jhony Gregory's guillotine finish of Haider Khan.
Ngannou was left out of the PFL's new heavyweight rankings, fueling questions about his future with the promotion. PFL CEO John Martin says the omission wasn’t deliberate and may reflect Ngannou’s inactivity and contract terms, as the fighter has said one fight remains on his deal. He has floated a possible June UFC White House appearance, but there’s been no return announcement, and the PFL is still weighing options for a meaningful matchup.
The PFL released its initial rankings under a new system, excluding Francis Ngannou from the heavyweight and pound-for-pound lists. CEO John Martin says these rankings are a starting point that will evolve over the next several months as fighters compete, with Ngannou still under contract and potentially a special project planned for him in 2026. The rankings are independently administered by Combat Registry.
Larissa Pacheco, a former PFL champion, expresses her desire to return to the UFC after her departure from PFL, criticizing the promotion's handling of her contract and calling for a rematch with Cyborg, while training with Amanda Nunes and aiming to prove her worth in the UFC.
Usman Nurmagomedov narrowly defeated Paul Hughes on points to retain his PFL lightweight title in Dubai, with the fight marked by close rounds, strategic takedowns, and Hughes's impressive performance despite the loss. The bout highlighted Nurmagomedov's continued dominance and potential future moves, including a possible fight against Alfie Davis or a transition to UFC.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) held an event in Dubai featuring a lightweight title rematch between Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes, with Nurmagomedov winning by unanimous decision, along with several other fights including Corey Anderson's victory over Dovlet Yagshimuradov. The event was streamed live on ESPN+, DAZN, and the PFL app.
John Martin, new CEO of PFL, predicted the UFC's success after its 2016 sale and aims to leverage the UFC's growth and the recent $7.7 billion Paramount deal to establish PFL as a major player in MMA, emphasizing the sport's mainstream appeal and potential for growth as a strong second to UFC.
Dutch MMA fighter Costello van Steenis won the PFL title by submitting Johnny Eblen in the final seconds of their fight, shocking expectations as Eblen was the favorite. The event also featured Dakota Ditcheva re-signing with PFL and AJ McKee returning to featherweight with a win.
Patricio Pitbull, a prominent Bellator fighter, is seeking release from the promotion due to inactivity and unfulfilled promises of fights, particularly after Bellator's merger with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Pitbull, who has been with Bellator since 2010, expressed dissatisfaction with the organization's management and aims to join the UFC to continue his legacy. He criticized the PFL-Bellator merger for prioritizing semi-retired fighters and internet celebrities over active fighters. Pitbull hopes to negotiate his release to pursue new opportunities in the UFC.
Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones continue to fuel speculation about a potential fight, despite being in different promotions. Ngannou, now with PFL, responded to Jones' social media comments by suggesting their matchup as the 'right fight' to enhance their careers. While PFL executives support the idea of a cross-promotional fight, UFC CEO Dana White has dismissed the possibility, maintaining the UFC's stance against such collaborations.
Dakota Ditcheva claimed the PFL flyweight world championship with a knockout victory over Taila Santos in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After the fight, Ditcheva mocked Santos, who had previously dismissed her as "just a barbie," by pretending to apply lipstick and telling her to "shut up." Ditcheva's dominant performance solidified her status as a top female fighter. In the same event, Denis Goltsov won the PFL heavyweight title with a submission victory, calling out Francis Ngannou afterward.
Dakota Ditcheva claimed the PFL's 125-pound women's championship by defeating Taila Santos via TKO in the second round in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ditcheva, who remained undefeated with a 14-0 record, showcased her striking skills and silenced critics who doubted her capabilities. The victory earned her a $1 million prize. In other PFL championship results, Timur Khizriev, Denis Goltsov, Gadzhi Rabadanov, Shamil Musaev, and Dovlet Yagshimuradov also secured titles in their respective weight classes.
The 2024 PFL World Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featured six finals with $1 million prizes at stake. Key matchups included Brendan Loughnane vs. Timur Khizriev in the featherweight final and Dakota Ditcheva vs. Taila Santos in the women's flyweight final. Notable results included Dovlet Yagshimuradov defeating Impa Kasanganay via TKO in the light heavyweight final, Shamil Musaev winning against Magomed Umalatov by TKO in the welterweight final, and Gadzhi Rabadanov knocking out Brent Primus in the lightweight final.
The PFL World Championship 2024 took place at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring a main event where Brendan Loughnane aimed to win the PFL featherweight tournament title and a $1 million prize against Timur Khizriev. The co-main event saw Dakota Ditcheva face Taila Santos in the PFL flyweight tournament final. The event included a full card of fights broadcast on ESPN+.