Tag: Shane Burgos

PFL tosses Natan Schulte from playoffs, suspends Raush Manfio after bout ‘did not meet the standards’

A fight between close friends Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio has resulted in both fighters suspended and one removed from the playoffs.

[autotag]Natan Schulte[/autotag] won’t be in the 2023 PFL playoffs after all.

Less than 12 hours after Schulte (25-5-1) defeated [autotag]Raush Manfio[/autotag] (17-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at 2023 PFL 6 and clinched a playoff spot in the process, the promotion announced his removal from the postseason and both fighters’ suspensions for the remainder of the season.

“Last night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition,” a PFL press release Saturday said. “All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements agree to use their ‘best efforts … skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete … and defeat any opponent.’”

The bout in question took place Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta on the event’s preliminary card. For the majority of three rounds, Schulte and Manfio were hesitant to engage. The two are close friends and training partners.

“It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout,” the promotion said. “PFL immediately suspended both fighters from the season and deemed the fight to have 0 points for purposes of League standings. PFL takes this action in recognition of its responsibility to all PFL fighters and all PFL fans.”

As a result, [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag] (16-4) will slide into a playoff slot and take on [autotag]Clay Collard[/autotag] (23-10), who previously clinched the No. 1 seed. [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] (19-5) and [autotag]Bruno Miranda[/autotag] (16-3) man the other side of the four-man playoff bracket.

The unusual nature of Friday’s fight gained much attention from fans and even other PFL lightweights prior to the announcement Saturday,

2022 PFL lightweight champion Aubin-Mercier, who defeated Anthony Romero in the card’s main event, questioned if the promotion should have two fighters from the same gym compete in the same weight division.

“It was really weird,” Aubin-Mercier said (via BestFightPicks). “I have to be very clear. I understand 100 percent if I was going to fight my best friend. … It would be a fight like this. But at the same time, it’s unfair to anybody else. I think it showed PFL. When I said I wanted PFL to be better, I think it showed maybe we shouldn’t put two people of the same gym in the same category. This stuff can happen.

 

MMA Junkie reached out Saturday to the George Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC), which oversaw the event. The story will be updated to reflect comment if/when it is received.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 6.

UFC veterans in MMA and bareknuckle boxing action June 23-25

Check out which veterans of the UFC are in combat sports action across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC returns to Jacksonville, Fla. for UFC on ABC 5.

The event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena features a featherweight main event between [autotag]Josh Emmett[/autotag] and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag].

Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

This week, there are a total of 16 veterans of the global MMA leader competing in MMA and bareknuckle boxing this week from June 23-25.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Shane Burgos still bothered by PFL debut loss to Olivier Aubin-Mercier: ‘I pride myself in being an exciting fighter’

Shane Burgos’ PFL debut loss left a sour taste in his mouth.

[autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]’ PFL debut loss left a sour taste in his mouth.

Burgos (15-4) was suffocated by 2022 PFL lightweight champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier in their season opener at 2023 PFL 3 in April, which didn’t sit well with him. He was outpointed in a unanimous decision loss.

Burgos is known for his exciting style, but was slowed down when he failed to fend Aubin-Mercier off of him.

“I hated that last one – obviously because I lost,” Burgos told MMA Junkie Radio. “But it wasn’t an exciting fight, and that pisses me off. That really irked me. I pride myself in being an exciting fighter, being somebody the fans always want to watch. I wouldn’t want to watch that. That sucked, man. It wasn’t fun. It wasn’t exciting. Maybe the last 25 seconds were exciting, but not for a 15-minute fight.”

Burgos will look to keep his playoff hopes alive when he meets Yamato Nishikawa (21-4-6) at 2023 PFL 6 on June 23 at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. Nishikawa also lost his first fight, so Burgos is banking on both men being eager for a quick finish, which should deliver an exciting fight.

“I was pissed about (the first loss), so going into the next one, I am carrying a little bit of that – but I don’t need to carry too much of it because I know the guy I’m fighting, he’s in the same position I am,” Burgos said. “We both need a win. We both need a win by finish, basically.

“So I know he’s not going to be coming into that one looking to stall, and just run the clock. I fully expect him to try and take me out, which – that’s what I want. I want that kind of fight. I want that guy that’s going to come in here try to kill because that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.”

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PFL CEO Peter Murray talks Shane Burgos’ loss, Jake Paul’s MMA debut, Francis Ngannou, more

PFL CEO Peter Murray shares his thoughts on Jake Paul’s MMA debut, a potential Francis Ngannou signing, and more.

LAS VEGAS – The third PFL event for 2023 is in the books, and the promotion’s CEO [autotag]Peter Murray[/autotag] spoke to the media to give updates on the biggest things going on with the company.

2023 PFL 3 went down on Friday night at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

Below you can check out Murray’s comments on [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]’ debut loss, what’s going on with [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag], potential signing of [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag], [autotag]Kayla Harrison[/autotag]’s future, and more.

Olivier Aubin-Mercier happy to see 2022 PFL champs beat UFC signings: ‘Hell yeah, it feels better’

Olivier Aubin-Mercier is glad to see PFL talent triumph over the recent UFC signings.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] feels the start to the 2023 PFL season has proved that PFL has talent.

In the first three events of the year, 2022 champions Rob Wilkinson, Brendan Loughnane and Aubin-Mercier (18-5) himself all defeated the recent signings that came over from the UFC. Wilkinson and Loughnane beat former UFC title challengers Thiago Santos and Marlon Moraes respectfully, and on Friday evening, Aubin-Mercier outpointed [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag] at 2023 PFL 3.

The event took place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The main card aired on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

Aubin-Mercier defeated Burgos (15-4) in a unanimous decision, winning 30-27 across all judges’ scorecards.

“I want to apologize for Loughnane, Razor and myself for beating all the big signings,” Aubin-Mercier told reporters at the 2023 PFL 3 post-fight press conference with a smirk. “Sorry, PFL. I know you paid a lot of money for those three guys, and we killed them. I’m sorry.”

Aubin-Mercier feels this proves that PFL has talent and that former UFC fighters need to realize there’s quality within other promotions.

“Hell yeah, it feels better,” Aubin-Mercier said. “We did our job. All the champs won and beat the big signings. It’s great for us, and it proves that we’re still here. We’re motivated, and I do think Shane was the most dangerous of the three. He’s still young, he still has that free in him, and he’s a fan favorite. Unfortunately, I canceled his game plan, but I’m really proud of this win. This is probably the biggest win of my career if you think about it.”

As far as on a personal note, Aubin-Mercier thinks this is likely the biggest win of his career.

“For sure, it’s a top three,” Aubin-Mercier said. “I had a good win against Drew Dober and people like this, but I do think that Shane is the most well known of them all.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 3.

2023 PFL 3: Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoils Shane Burgos’ debut, wins unanimous decision

2022 PFL champ Olivier Aubin-Mercier spoiled Shane Burgos’ PFL debut.

[autotag]Olivier Aubin-Mercier[/autotag] continued his unbeaten run on Friday night.

The 2022 PFL lightweight champion spoiled [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag]’ debut in PFL, as he outpointed him to win a unanimous decision. It was a clean 30-27 across all judges’ scorecard.

The 155-pound bout went down at 2023 PFL 3 at The Theater at Virgin Hotels. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN+.

The first round was pretty evenly contested. Both traded many leg kicks and were also able to connect cleanly with punches. Neither fighter wobbled or stunned the other. However, Aubin-Mercier (18-5) did seem to be a bit more ahead. There was a clean uppercut that connected, that dropped Burgos’ (15-4) mouthpiece. He also seemed to have a bit cleaner shots and his jab was on point.

The second was very similar to the first. They were pretty evenly matched on the feet, with Aubin-Mercier slightly ahead. About halfway through, Aubin-Mercier shot for a takedown and pressed Burgos against the cage. It took a bit for Aubin-Mercier to get the takedown, but he eventually got it. Burgos got right back up, but had his back taken while standing. Aubin-Mercier pretty much controlled Burgos against the cage with little damage until the end of the round.

Aubin-Mercier went immediately back to the ground in the third. He closed the distance and took down Burgos against the cage. Burgos did a great job at defending and would get up numerous times, but Aubin-Mercier kept on him and would drag him back down to the canvas.

Aubin-Mercier controlled Burgos for the majority of the round, but in the final 30 seconds Burgos was able to break free and land heavy combos on Aubin-Mercier, cutting him over the eye. The flurry was not enough to win him the round on the judges’ eyes.

With this win, Aubin-Mercier remains unbeaten since his UFC release in 2019. He’s currently on a seven-fight winning streak – a run that saw him win the 2022 PFL lightweight season and now get a three point start to the 2023 season.

On the other hand, Burgos was unable to start his PFL run on a high note and score points in hopes to make it to the playoffs. The defeat also snapped a two-fight winning streak for Burgos, as he had outpointed Billy Quarantillo and Charles Jourdain in previous outings. Burgos fought out his contract with the UFC and signed with the PFL in late 2022.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 3.

2023 PFL 3 media day videos: Shane Burgos, Clay Collard, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, more

Hear from several of the key fighters who will open their season Friday at 2023 PFL 3 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – The first half of the PFL’s regular season concludes this week with 2023 PFL 3, which features welterweights and lightweights in action for the first time this year.

The event takes place Friday at The Theater at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, with prelims that simultaneously air on ESPN and stream on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET. and a main card that streams on ESPN+ at 9:30 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, several of the fighters involved took part in PFL 3 media day, which MMA Junkie attended. You can check out each interview below.

UFC veterans in MMA action April 14-15

Check out which UFC veterans are in MMA and boxing action across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels to Kansas City, Mo. for UFC on ESPN 44 following UFC 287 in Miami. Former featherweight king [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag] in the main event.

Elsewhere, many other MMA events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

This weekend, there are a total of 14 veterans of the global MMA leader competing in MMA and boxing this week from April 14-15.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

MMA Junkie Radio #3351: PFL 3’s Shane Burgos, UFC 287 recap and fallout, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”


Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,351, the fellas welcome guest [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag], who makes his promotional debut Friday at 2023 PFL 3. They also looked back at UFC 287 and discussed all the fallout for the winners and losers, recapped PFL 2, discussed the latest MMA news and more. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.