Category: PFL

PFL ditches $1 million winner, season points format for 2025

The PFL’s big photo op checks might stay the same size if they’re back this fall, but the numbers on them will be noticeably smaller.

The PFL’s big photo op cardboard checks might stay the same size if they’re back this fall, but the numbers on them will be noticeably smaller.

The promotion made its name on a season format in which fighters must qualify for a playoff tournament, and the winners of those tournaments, over six divisions, took home $1 million. It allowed the PFL to say it had, arguably, some of the biggest disclosed paydays in the game.

But $1 million division winners now will be a thing of the past for the PFL. Season champions will get a bonus check for $500,000 now on top of their contracted earnings leading up to the championship bout.

In addition, the PFL no longer will operate its regular season with points-based results to determine playoff qualification and seeding. In previous seasons, fighters in each division had two regular season fights in which they could earn points – 3 for a win with up to 3 possible bonus points based on a finish and the round.

MMA Junkie confirmed the changes with people with knowledge of the PFL’s new contract language. The people asked to remain anonymous since the PFL has not made a public announcement of the changes, which first were reported by Al Zullino on social media.

The changes are likely to lead to a shift in the type of names who wind up in the individual division fields. The season formats now are expected to be more prospect-based than they have been previously, with bigger stars fighting on bigger events, rather than working their way through the season.

The PFL in 2024 absorbed the Bellator roster and also brought in superfight titles, which were won by Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg. Since 2018, the PFL has had six full seasons, each with six $1 million winners at the end of it. The 2024 group of six all were new champions.

Usman Nurmagomedov ‘more stressed’ for brother Umar, Islam Makhachev at UFC 311 than own title defense

It would be hard to draw up a more significant start to the year than what Usman Nurmagomedov and his teammates have lined up in January.

It would be hard to draw up a more significant start to the year than what [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] and his teammates have lined up to begin 2025.

The Dagestan takeover in MMA could reach its peak this month with Nurmagomedov (18-0) set to put his Bellator lightweight title on the line against Paul Hughes (13-0) at Road to Dubai on Jan. 25, just one week after his brother, Umar, challenges Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight title in the UFC 311 co-main event on Jan. 18, and Islam Makhachev puts his 155-pound strap on the line against Arman Tsarukyan in the headliner of the same card in Inglewood, Calif.

Scheduling for the respective championship has splintered training camps among the team. Khabib Nurmagomedov has headed the ship for Umar and Makhachev stateside in Las Vegas, while Usman remained at home in Dagestan. He considered joining his team in the U.S. for a portion of his training camp, but ultimately logistics ruled it out.

“It’s not too much travel,” Nurmagomedov told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I had a little problem with my VISA. I got it, but I got it a little late, so that’s why I made the decision not to go to America. If I go there for 10 days, I will have jet lag then come back and have jet lag. I don’t want to lose some time. I just made the decision to stay in Dagestan because in Dagestan we have a lot of warriors, too, where I can work. So that’s why I stayed in Dagestan and did the whole camp here.

“Honestly, yes, for me it’s a little hard. I want to be there with Umar for his fight, first time for him fighting for a title. But any time it doesn’t matter. For me, it’s the most important that these guys will win. That’s what’s most important. Other things, this doesn’t matter.”

Usman said his expectation is for Umar and Makhachev to finish their respective opponents to leave UFC 311 with gold, then join him in Dubai as part of his corner team against Hughes.

It’s going to be agonizing for Usman to watch everything play out at UFC 311 from the other side of the globe, and he admits he’s more on edge and invested in the results for his older brother, Makhachev and another teammate in Tagir Ulanbekov than his own contest.

“Honestly, I’m more nervous about these guys fighting than my own,” Nurmagomedov said. “My fights, I don’t care even. I know what I can do, and I know my skills. I just have to go in the cage and referee will say, ‘Let’s start guys.’ I love this. I am more stressed and more nervous about Umar, about Islam, about Tagir and these guys. But with these guys, Khabib is there. Even if Khabib wasn’t there, it’s because I love these guys so much. That’s why I’m nervous. They will win, I believe.”

If all goes according to plan, the Nurmagomedov team will boast a high-level slate of champions by the end of the month: Usman in Bellator, Umar and Makhachev in the UFC, and also 2024 PFL lightweight champion Gadzhi Rabadanov.

It’s a dream scenario, Usman said, and he fully expects things to come to fruition.

“Can you imagine if we will begin this year with two UFC champions, one PFL champion, one Bellator champion?” Nurmagomedov said. “Phew. This is crazy.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

Video: MMA Junkie’s 2024 Year End Awards review: KO, Submission, Fight of the Year, & more

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” we review our 2024 awards, including Knockout, Submission and Fight of the Year.

2024 is over, and with it, some great moments in MMA that should not be forgotten.

Last week, on the final episode of 2024 of “Spinning Back Clique,” we reviewed our MMA Junkie awards for Male and Female Fighter of the Year. Although those are considered by many the two biggest awards, there were other notable winners and moments that were also recognized and awarded on the site.

On the latest episode of SBC, the first of 2025, MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Nolan King, Danny Segura, and host Gorgeous George tackled the rest of our 2024 awards, including Breakout Fighter of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Knockout, Submission and Fight of the Year, and many more. Did we make the right picks? Who else and what other moments were in the running?

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

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Ex-Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov to face Tim Johnson at PFL’s Road to Dubai on Jan. 25

Vadim Nemkov draws Tim Johnson for a heavyweight showdown at PFL’s Champion Series on Jan. 25.

[autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] will still compete after all later this month at PFL’s Road to Duabi Champions Series event.

Nemkov, who was scheduled to face Corey Anderson, now will take on heavyweight veteran [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] on Jan. 25 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. Anderson announced the cancellation of their bout nearly a month ago, claiming Nemkov refused to fight him because he wanted an “easier fight.”

PFL did not announce a reason for the change. Bellator announced the news of the new matchup on Monday afternoon.

 

Nemkov (17-2), former Bellator light heavywieght champion, is on a 13-fight unbeaten streak. He was most recently seen in action in February 2024 when he retured to the heavyweight divsion after many years competing at 205 pounds. In that return, he defeated PFL veteran Bruno Cappelozza by technical submission.

On the other hand, Johnson is looking to bounce back from a TKO loss to Denis Goltsov back in August. Prior to the defeat, the former UFC heavyweight was on a three-fight wininng streak that included two stoppages.

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Donn Davis announces that elbows now legal in all PFL bouts

Starting this year, the PFL is making elbow strikes legal in all fights.

PFL chairman and founder Donn Davis announced Monday that elbows will be legal in all fights, a major change for the promotion heading into 2025.

Since its inception in 2018, the PFL had banned elbows for the regular season and playoffs. Elbows were typically allowed in non-season and non-playoff fights only.

However, this past November, the promotion said it would allow elbows in all title fights. But now elbows will be legal in every fight under the PFL banner.

Former PFL commentator Yves Edwards told MMA Junkie Radio in 2018 that he supported the promotion’s decision to ban elbows due to the strenuous nature of the regular season and playoffs, which requires fighters to make relatively quick turnarounds multiple times a year. Cuts often lead to lengthy medical suspensions, which would prevent a fighter from advancing to the next round, even if they won their fight.

Elbows were legal in the PFL’s final event of 2024 this past November in Riyadh, where 10 new champions were crowned.

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MMA Junkie’s 2024 awards roundup: Dakota Ditcheva, Ilia Topuria, Carlos Prates and more

The MMA Junkie 2024 Awards season is in the books. Take a look back at our best of the best from the past year.

The MMA Junkie 2024 Awards season is in the books.

Now, for the first time, you can see all of our staff members’ honors from the past year in one spot, from our top fighters of the year to the biggest stunners and more. We’ve compiled all our awards coverage and best-ofs into one spot.

Take a look back at our best of the best from 2024 below.

Khabib Nurmagomedov rips Irish MMA ahead of cousin’s title defense vs. Paul Hughes

What does Khabib Nurmagomedov think of Irish MMA? “There is no fighters, brother.”

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] doesn’t think very highly of the overall quality of Irish fighters in MMA.

Ahead of his cousin [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag]’s (18-0) lightweight title defense against [autotag]Paul Hughes[/autotag] (13-1) at Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai on Jan. 25, UFC Hall of Famer Khabib is not interested in a discussion about the impact of athletes from Ireland compared to his native Dagestan.

The biggest rivalry in the history of MMA came between Khabib, from Dagestan, and Ireland’s Conor McGregor. The matchup between Usman and Hughes is being touted as the next chapter in the feud between regions.

Khabib, however, said it’s a foolish comparison. He sees only two strong Irish representatives in the sport with Hughes and McGregor (although Ian Machado Garry is worth mentioning), and said it pales to the strength from his part of the world.

“Ireland don’t have fighters, brother,” Nurmagomedov said in an interview with PFL. “Let’s be honest: How many fighters from Ireland? Paul Hughes and Conor. Who else? There is no fighters, brother. You come to Dagestan, you can understand. So many organizations, they don’t even want to sign Dagestan fighters because they worry about like, everybody can become champion.”

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In the aftermath of his MMA retirement in 2020, Khabib has evolved into one of the prominent coaches in MMA behind his cousins Usman and Umar, his childhood friends Islam Makhachev and Gadzhi Rabadanov, plus many more. He works first hand with the very best from Dagestan, so he minced no words on how the fighters around him stack up to those from Ireland.

“Let’s be honest: Dagestan level of MMA here (up high),” Nurmagomedov said. “But Ireland level, like not even half of Dagestan level.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator Champions Series: Road to Dubai.

Manager reveals Aaron Pico’s free agent status, comments on potential UFC move

Aaron Pico, once regarded as perhaps the biggest prospect in MMA history, could soon be on the move.

[autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag], once regarded as perhaps the biggest prospect in MMA history, could soon be on the move.

At 20, Pico made his MMA debut in 2017 under the Bellator banner. There was some turbulence in the early portion of his career, but he has currently won nine of his past 10 fights, with the lone defeat in that stretch coming as the result of an in-fight shoulder dislocation.

Pico (13-4) hasn’t seen action since a first-round TKO of Henry Corrales at February’s PFL vs. Bellator: Champions event in Saudi Arabia, however, and has only competed three times in the past two years overall. Inactivity has caused some frustration with several notable Bellator fighters since the promotion was acquired by PFL in late 2023, and according to his manager [autotag]Ali Abdelaziz[/autotag] of Dominance MMA, the only reason he hasn’t spoken out among that group is because of his contract status.

Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie on Monday that Pico is currently a free agent, and once his exclusive matching period with PFL expires in January, he will be open to negotiate with any organization.

“Pico was supposed to fight (Patricio) ‘Pitbull’ in December, but RIZIN (co-promotion with Bellator/PFL) got cancelled – (now) Pico’s contract ran out,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “Pico right now is a free agent. I’m going to do everything I can to help these guys become successful, but I’m also going to do everything I can to make sure my fights stay regularly competing and have fights, because if they do not have fights, they cannot buy that time back.

“Pico didn’t say nothing because he’s a free agent. He can shop here very soon, after 90 days (of exclusive negotiation period). Maybe before the 90 days PFL make him a deal he cannot refuse, I don’t know.”

Abdelaziz did not close the door on Pico, 28, returning to PFL under a new deal, also noting that the there is a matching period after the exclusive negotiation window ends. However it shakes out, Abdelaziz said it is his duty to find the best terms for his client, both from an activity and financial standpoint.

“Pico right now is a free agent,” Abdelaziz said. “I’m sure the UFC wants him. I’m sure PFL wants to keep him. … Pico’s a businessman. Pico likes money. UFC, of course he would love to become a UFC champion, but if PFL can offer me a deal I can’t refuse, then he’s going to take it. But if he said, ‘I want to go to the UFC,’ I have to go get an offer from the UFC and PFL can have the right to match it.”

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MMA Junkie’s 2024 Comeback Fighter of the Year: Francis Ngannou

Persevering through tragedy, changing brands, and a boxing side mission, Francis Ngannou returned to MMA with a bang in 2024.

The road back to MMA was long and winding for [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag].

But when it was time to step back into the cage again, he did so with a bang. In what was his first fight in 34 months, Ngannou smashed the towering Rennan Ferreira in PFL: Battle of the Giants in October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He finished the fight with strikes at 3:32 of Round 1.

Ngannou’s win came in his first appearance since his UFC exit that was announced in January 2023. The split was highly-publicized with both Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White standing firm on their ground.

Ngannou ultimately signed with PFL, which allowed him to take boxing matches. Ngannou first boxed then-heavyweight champion Tyson Fury in October 2023, and nearly shocked the world. However, it was Fury that won the split decision despite being knocked down. Many viewers disagreed with the judges.

Five months later in March, Ngannou re-entered the ring. Against Anthony Joshua, the outcome was more decisive. Joshua brutally folded Ngannou over backward with knockout blows in Round 2.

One month later, Ngannou announced on social media the death of his 15-month-old son, Kobe. Crushed, Ngannou later revealed the devastating incident nearly resulted in his retirement.

Instead, Ngannou decided retirement would do his son’s memory a disservice. He then accepted the long-awaited bout with Ferreira and ended it swiftly.

Through business and public drama to devastating losses both in and outside the cage, Ngannou was not deterred. He bounced back big in 2024, keeping his name in the discussion for who is the world’s best heavyweight.

Ngannou is the 2024 MMA Junkie Comeback Fighter of the Year.

Honorable mention: Youssef Zalal

Nov 2, 2024; Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Jack Shore (red gloves) fights Youssef Zalal (blue gloves) in a featherweight bout during UFC Fight Night at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

It’s hard enough to make it to the UFC once. It’s even harder to do it twice.

Not only did [autotag]Youssef Zalal[/autotag] do enough on the regional scene for matchmaker Sean Shelby to bring him back, he now sits on the cusp of a potential ranked matchup to start 2025.

Zalal was cut in 2022 after a 3-3-1 stint. After three MMA wins and two kickboxing wins outside the promotion, Zalal stepped into a short-notice opportunity opposite Billy Quarantillo in March 2024. He won the fight by second-round rear-naked choke.

The same submission hold won him his next fight in August. That time, Jarno Errens was the victim. To close the year, Zalal utilized an arm-triangle choke to tap Jack Shore and move him to 3-0 in an eight-month stretch.

MMA Junkie’s 2024 Event of the Year: UFC 300

There are fight cards that are supposed to be too big to fail. When those come through with iconic moments, there’s reason to celebrate.

There were fight cards in 2024 that were put together to be too big to fail.

And in the business of selling pay-per-views, that’s obviously a very smart thing. But how often do those shows turn into ones that were merely good for “on-paper” views, and when it came time to deliver the goods, they left a little something to be desired?

In 2024, events that were so monumental they demanded viewing in the MMA world included a historic round number, a debut in a revolutionary new building, iconic title fights and a crossover event pitting champions from one promotion against their counterparts in another.

But an iconic moment helped push one way ahead of the pack.

UFC 300 is MMA Junkie’s 2024 Event of the Year.

It was a show that was, without question, too big to fail. At T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the card was curtain-jerked by a fight between two former champions. And we’re talking recent champs, too, with Deiveson Figueiredo’s submission of Cody Garbrandt. Another ex-champ, Jessica Andrade, was on the bill just two fights later. And those were the early prelims.

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Two-time PFL champ and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison finally got her chance to test herself in the UFC, and against an ex-titleholder, too – and it had to languish on the ESPN prelims instead of the main card.

The main card had two title fights, including Alex Pereira’s third headlining win of the year when he took out ex-champ Jamahal Hill. But one absolutely massive moment for Max Holloway solidified not only his spot as an MMA icon, but put UFC 300 way over the top for Event of the Year.

In a fight he was winning against Justin Gaethje, with the “BMF” title at stake, Holloway now famously pointed at the canvas to signal to his opponent they should throw for the fences for the final 10 seconds. And that they did.

Holloway landed a haymaker of a right hand with two seconds left in the fight, and Gaethje was out on the canvas with a second to go. With bonus amounts set at $300,000 in advance to mark the historic UFC 300 occasion, Holloway double-dipped with Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night for $600,000 in bonuses alone.

But his knockout took the Hawaiian former featherweight champion into living legend territory, and it made UFC 300 the kind of legendary event that lives up to its advance billing.

UFC 300 had eight finishes in 13 fights, 11 current or former UFC champions, former champs from other promotions, Olympic medalists, NCAA wrestling champions, two title fights, long-awaited promotional debuts, record-setting moments …

By comparison, UFC 306 at The Sphere was a technical marvel, but it wasn’t littered up and down with as many stars – and its results also were, while not insignificant, devoid of many finishes. And the PFL vs. Bellator crossover event early in the year lost some of its luster when it turned out that the Bellator half of the product seemed to be on the way out.

Shows like UFC 299 and UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden become also-rans when held up to UFC 300. But UFC 300 may wind up being MMA’s all-time standard-bearer, anyway, when all is said and done, and that makes the runners-up this year a nice group of moral victors.