The Professional Fighters League returns after a lengthy hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Few organizations were harder hit by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 than the PFL. While the UFC was forced to take nearly two months without an event, and Bellator closed up shop for almost half the year, the PFL hasn’t held an official event since their 2019 season finale back on December 31st, in the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
The promotion made the decision fairly early on in the pandemic that they would cancel their 2020 season, paying out a stipend to fighters who remained under contract—and even allowing some of their talent to compete for other organizations. Now it looks like they’re ready to get back to business.
The organization announced the start of their 2021 season via a press release, with events planned for April 23, April 29th, May 6th, June 10th, June 17th, and June 25th. Along with those events, the PFL announced their lightweight and featherweight rosters for the year, including former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Clay Collard, and returning champ Natan Schulte at lightweight. Their featherweight division includes former UFC talents Tyler Diamond, Brendan Loughnane, Sheymon Moraes, Jo Sungbin, and returning champ Lance Palmer. Here’s a look at the current lists:
FEATHERWEIGHTS
Tyler Diamond
Bubba Jenkins
Movlid Khaybulaev
Brendan Loughnane
Sheymon Moraes
Lance Palmer
Jason Soares
Jo Sungbin
(two additional slots in the 145 roster have yet to be filled)
LIGHTWEIGHTS
Akhmed Aliev
Olivier Aubin-Mercier
Clay Collard
Johnny Case
Marcin Held
Joilton Lutterbach
Mikhail Odintsov
Anthony Pettis
Loik Radzhabov
Natan Schulte
It’s unclear at this time whether any further events or other tournament divisions will be announced for this year. PFL 2021 #1 is set to take place in Las Vegas, NV on April 23rd. An official venue for the event has not been announced. The prelims are set to air at 6pm EST on ESPN+, with the main card getting underway at 9pm EST on ESPN 2. No bouts have been announced for the event.