A manager of one of the two PFL fighters recently suspended by the promotion due to a lackluster bout has taken exception with the decision.
2021 lightweight champion [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] lost to close friend [autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag], also the godfather of his daughter, at 2023 PFL 6, which took place Friday in Atlanta.
The bout was lackluster in nature with minimal engagements. After the fight, PFL removed Natan Schulte from the playoff spot he had just clinched with the win and suspended him. Manfio also was suspended from competing under the promotion’s banner for the rest of 2023. The promotion said Saturday the actions were taken because the fighters “did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition.”
Brian Butler, of SuckerPunch Entertainment, manages Manfio. Saturday, Butler disavowed the promotion’s decision in a statement to MMA Junkie. He also called into question the subjectiveness of the situation because, despite being a league format, the promotion decides regular-season matchmaking.
“To make a subjective decision like this from a promotion that stakes its claim in fighter advocacy is just a bad look, in my opinion,” Butler said. “Judges make bad calls all the time with less repercussion. Raush and Natan are best friends and have been exclusive training partners for each other for years. Natan is the godfather of Raush’s daughter. To say they know each others styles, tricks and techniques inside and out is a gross understatement.
“Situations like bad style matchups and lackluster fights happen in this sport all the time, but the unique thing about the PFL and the ‘tournament/point format’ is that it would sort itself out on its own in the end. Our client got half his pay and zero points to move forward in the tournament… This is distasteful and unnecessary.”
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Multiple rules listed in official “2023 Rules and Regulations” document posted on the promotion’s website addresses the semifinals, point delegation, and playoff qualification.
Article 1.1.c. indicates the semifinals are based on merit, “Fighters will earn points during the regular season based on their performance and will be ranked in division standings accordingly. At the end of the regular season, the top 4 in each division will make the playoffs.”
However, Article 3.1.b. lays the groundwork for playoff participants to be selected in a more traditional matchmaker-type format, “Semifinal matchups will be determined at the league’s discretion. The league reserves the right to change matchups at any time.”
Additionally, Article 2.3 states that points, which determine who does and does not make the PFL playoffs, can be changed by the promotion at any time.
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According to the promotion’s official lightweight standings, since Schulte was stripped of his three points earned against Manfio, he dropped back down below the playoff qualifying line. Schulte and his representatives have yet to comment.
The 2023 PFL lightweight playoffs will launch Aug. 23 at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. Schulte’s replacement, Shane Burgos, will take on Clay Collard, and 2022 champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier takes on Bruno Miranda.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 6.