PFL analyst [autotag]Randy Couture[/autotag] agrees with the promotion’s decision to pull the plug on the 2020 season.
Due to growing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic, the PFL canceled this season with intentions of paying a monthly stipend to its remaining contracted fighters.
PFL was scheduled to start its regular season in May before moving to its usual tournament playoff format, then rounding things off with the championship finals on New Year’s Eve in New York.
While Couture, a UFC Hall of Famer, admits he’s disappointed with the news of the cancellation, he thinks if the PFL went ahead with a modified version of the season, they’d be doing a disservice to the brand.
“Well, I mean, obviously it’s disappointing,” Couture told MMA Junkie Radio. “Disappointing for the athletes, disappointing for the cast and crew, the folks that are involved. I think the positives are that they didn’t want to do it half way. We were supposed to be rolling here in May. It does look like some places and some things are gonna start opening up here in May, on the current schedule, but we’ll see.
“So I think rather than do it half way or Mickey Mouse it, trying to put together a partial season, they just decided to sack up the bats and not play with it this season with all the stuff going on. We just don’t know how this thing is going to shake out in the next six months. It’s gonna be interesting. So roll back into 2021 season the right way, the way it should be done.”
[lawrence-related id=506513,507785]
When the PFL does return, it will be with a reloaded roster. The promotion added the likes of former Bellator welterweight champion and ex-UFC fighter Rory MacDonald, Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Justin Willis during the offseason.