PFL
Professional Fighters League (PFL) 2020 season is over before it ever got started, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic that has most of the world on lockdown. I’m sure it didn’t help that New York City — where many PFL events are staged — recently extended its ban on live events through the month of June.
Fighters will continue to receive monthly stipends.
“PFL is a global MMA league, with athletes from over 25 countries,” PFL CEO Peter Murray told ESPN. “Our team decided that first and foremost, for the health and safety of our fighters, fans, business partners and event personnel, with so much uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, we determined this is the best course of action. It’s prudent and guided by safety. Our decision is to push back the upcoming season, which was previously scheduled to begin in May, to spring 2021 on ESPN.”
PFL is not the only major MMA promotion to be riding the pine. Both Bellator MMA and ONE Championship have also pulled the plug on their upcoming shows; however, a non-tournament format allows them to jump right back into the fray once state officials green light a return to action.
UFC stands alone as the only combat sports organization that can afford to buy its own private island and bypass current restrictions, so expect a return from Dana White and Co. sooner, rather than later.