Tag: PFL News (Professional Fighters League)

Anthony Pettis Loses Decision Against Clay Collard – PFL 1 Highlights

Anthony PettisClay Collard picked up the biggest win of his career on Friday night at PFL 1. The talented boxer walked away from his fight with former UFC champion, Anthony Pettis, with a unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28) victory. Collard dominated the majority of his fight against ‘Showtime’. The 28-year-old banked round one before turning up […]

Anthony Pettis

Clay Collard picked up the biggest win of his career on Friday night at PFL 1.

The talented boxer walked away from his fight with former UFC champion, Anthony Pettis, with a unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-28) victory.

Collard dominated the majority of his fight against ‘Showtime’. The 28-year-old banked round one before turning up in heat in the second stanza. ‘Cassius’ dropped Pettis on multiple occasions and was unlucky to not find the finish.

Despite a hand injury, Collard continued to pour it on in round three. The tables turned at the midway point of the final frame as Pettis landed a big head kick and followed up with a flying knee. The former WEC and UFC champion tried to finish the fight but was caught up in Collard’s guard, unable to get off any more effective offence.

This represents Collard’s stretched his MMA winning streak to three.

Pettis snaps a two fight winning run and has now now lost three of his last five fights.

Check out the highlights below…

Did Anthony Pettis losing his PFL debut suprise you?

Claressa Shields Set To Make Professional MMA Debut At June 10 PFL Event

ShieldsTwo-time Olympic gold medalist and multiple-time world boxing champion, Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields is slated to make her professional mixed martial arts debut at a June 10. PFL (Professional Fighters League) event.  Shields, a gold medalist at the middleweight limit in both the 2012 summer London Olympics and the 2016 summer Rio de Janeiro games, Shields […]

Shields

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and multiple-time world boxing champion, Claressa ‘T-Rex’ Shields is slated to make her professional mixed martial arts debut at a June 10. PFL (Professional Fighters League) event. 

Shields, a gold medalist at the middleweight limit in both the 2012 summer London Olympics and the 2016 summer Rio de Janeiro games, Shields penned a multi-fight deal under the PFL banner — after months of speculation regarding a much-anticipated transition to professional mixed martial arts competition. 

11-0 as a professional boxer, the Flint, Michigan native scored a unanimous decision victory over Canada’s, Marie-Eve Dicaire at a March 5. event this year at Dort Financial Centre on home soil. With the victory, Sheilds retained her WBO and WBC light middleweight crowns, as well as claiming the IBF, WBA and The Ring light middleweight championships. 

Last November, Shields penned a three-year deal with the PFL, ahead of her planned debut this year. Plying her trade under the Jackson-Wink MMA banner in Albuquerque, New Mexico — with footage emerging of her training alongside former bantamweight champion, Holly Holm, and former two-time light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones — as well as practicing kickboxing alongside coach, Mike Winkeljohn. 

Recently appearing on Good Morning America alongside Michael Strahan — it was revealed that Shields will be making her professional mixed martial arts debut at a PFL event on June 10. 

“Going through the pandemic, it was a depressing time for me,” Shields replied when asked why she decided to make the transition to professional mixed martial arts. “I wasn’t in the ring, I gained a whole bunch of weight, and I was like, ‘I’ve accomplished everything in boxing’. And in my mind I was like, I think it’s time to try MMA.“

Whilst an opponent or weight-class for Shields’ June 10. professional mixed martial arts debut has yet to be determined, the PFL event is slated to take place at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Report – Kenny Florian Joins The PFL As Colour-Commentator

Kenny FlorianFormer UFC colour-commentator and featherweight and lightweight title challenger, Kenny Florian is finally set for a return to the commentary-booth — signing a deal to serve as a colour-commentator for the PFl (Professional Fighters League). Florian, a finalist on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter alongside veteran former title challenger, Diego Sanchez, will link up with […]

Kenny Florian

Former UFC colour-commentator and featherweight and lightweight title challenger, Kenny Florian is finally set for a return to the commentary-booth — signing a deal to serve as a colour-commentator for the PFl (Professional Fighters League).

Florian, a finalist on the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter alongside veteran former title challenger, Diego Sanchez, will link up with the promotion ahead of their 2021 seasonal return, joining a booth that currently consists of UFC alums, Sean O’Connell and former undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight champion, Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture. 

Florian provided both colour-commentary for the UFC and featured prominently as an analyst during the promotion’s time under the FOX network banner, alongside the likes of Karyn Bryant, and former champions turned colour-commentators, Daniel Cormier and Michael Bisping. Florian also presents the Anik and Florian Podcast alongside current UFC play-by-play leader, Jon Anik. 

Speaking with MMA Fighting amid the announcement of his return to the commentary-booth, the Massachusetts favourite described his return and the move to the PFL as “exciting“.

“It’s exciting,” Florian said. “I’ve never been afraid of trying new things and getting in new things. That’s what makes life so interesting. It’s been a little while since I’ve done colour-commentary for mixed martial arts so I’m excited to be back in the booth with a great team and with kind of a new chapter.“

“Things got busy for a little while,” Florian explained. “I had a lot of other business ventures and things that I was getting into and I’ve had some time away. It’s kind of time to start getting back into it — into what I love. I love doing that. It’s something that’s always intrigued me. Being part of the PFL and the things that they do, it’s kind of a unique opportunity. It’s different in that you kind of go back to the old school martial arts roots of the tournament-style format, which is always exciting.“

Returning to their 2021 schedule amid a year’s absence as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the PFl makes its comeback on April 23rd. from the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey — with former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis making his promotional bow in a main event tilt against UFC alum, professional boxer, Clay Collard. 

2019 featherweight tournament victor, Lance Palmer also returns to open the main card — clashing with Bubba Jenkins. Also featuring at the event are the likes of Nathan Schulte, Marcin Held, Olivier Aubin-Mercier, Chris Wade, Brendan Loughnane, and Sheymon Moraes.

PFL Announce Heavyweight & Women’s Lightweight Matchups For New Season

pflThe PFL is back, better than ever. Spending 2020 on the sidelines, the powerhouse promotion collected a plethora of talent. Anthony Pettis, Rory Macdonald and even pro boxer Claressa were among those to join the roster. A multitude of matchups have been announced for PFL’s long-awaited return in April. The fun doesn’t stop there however. […]

pfl

The PFL is back, better than ever. Spending 2020 on the sidelines, the powerhouse promotion collected a plethora of talent. Anthony Pettis, Rory Macdonald and even pro boxer Claressa were among those to join the roster. A multitude of matchups have been announced for PFL’s long-awaited return in April. The fun doesn’t stop there however.

Playing sequel to the eventful April they have lined up, PFL has released the schedule for the heavy hitters at Heavyweight and Women’s lightweight. There are currently 10 bouts set for May 6th, equally divided between the male and female fighters.

ESPN2 Main Card:

Fabricio Werdum vs. Renan Ferreira

Kayla Harrison vs. Mariana Morais

Ali Isaev vs. Hatef Moeil

Genah Fabian vs. Laura Sanchez

ESPN+ Prelims:

Mohammed Usman vs Brandon Sayles

Denis Goltsov vs. Justin Willis

Larissa Pacheco vs. Julija Pajic

Ante Delija vs. Bruno Cappelozza

Cindy Dandois vs. Kaitlin Young

Olena Kolesnyk vs. Taylor Guardado

Among the bouts above will feature the PFL debut of former UFC champ Fabricio Werdum as he takes on Renan Ferreira. This will be Werdum’s first fight outside the UFC in nearly 10 years.

PFL 3 will also feature the return of Judo superstar Kayla Harrison. The undefeated Harrison is coming back from leaving a crime scene after she brutalized Courtney King in her drop down to Featherweight. This would be a one fight deal with Invicta FC, representing the PFL uniform as she left the cage a pool of her opponent’s blood.

The 2x Olympian gold medalist will face off against crafty veteran Mariana Morais. Morais (16-10) will look to pull off one of the biggest upsets in PFL history against the heavy favorite.

Other notable names appearing on the already stacked card are former UFC fighters, Justin Willis and Cindy Dandois. The prelims will also feature Mohammed Usman, brother to UFC champ Kamaru Usman along with TUF conestant and PFL 2019 season finalist, Larissa Pacheco.

Who will steal the spotlight on the star-studded PFL show?

Rory MacDonald Set To Make PFL Debut On April 29

Rory MacDonaldRory MacDonald is back. After a year on the sidelines, the former Bellator Welterweight Champion will return to partake in another tournament. The Professional Fighters League’s 2021 season, appearing first against David Michaud on April 29th. MacDonald last fought Douglas Lima in October of 2019, in an attempt to defend his Bellator title once more. […]

Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald is back. After a year on the sidelines, the former Bellator Welterweight Champion will return to partake in another tournament. The Professional Fighters League’s 2021 season, appearing first against David Michaud on April 29th.

MacDonald last fought Douglas Lima in October of 2019, in an attempt to defend his Bellator title once more. However, “The Red King’s” reign would be ended as Lima would go on to edge him out to an unanimous decision victory and achieve the Grand Prix’s million dollar prize.

After the devastating loss, Macdonald would pursue another million-dollar prize. Where better to look for a million-dollar tournament than the PFL? With a finished contract, the Grand Prix finalist would test the waters of free agency and land himself with PFL’s upcoming season.

However, PFL’s next season would never come into fruition. With the expanse of COVID-19, PFL decided to cancel all their events in 2020.

Despite being without a fight for more than a year, Macdonald showed great strides with his training. He ventured off to join Sanford MMA, training alongside his former foe, Robbie Lawler, adding more weapons to his arsenal.

The former UFC title challenger announced on his Instagram Tuesday morning he would be making his promotional debut against 2019 season finalist, David Michaud, on April 29th. This will mark the born-again brawler’s first non-title bout since 2017.

Do you think Rory MacDonald will be successful in his PFL debut?

Report – Anthony Pettis Draws Clay Collard In PFL Debut On April 23

PettisFormer WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis has his welcoming party nailed down for his promotional debut under the PFL (Professional Fighters League) banner on April 23. Headlining the event, Pettis draws fellow former UFC feature, professional boxer, Clay Collard in his first outing to boot — as the pair open up the 2021 […]

Pettis

Former WEC and UFC lightweight champion, Anthony Pettis has his welcoming party nailed down for his promotional debut under the PFL (Professional Fighters League) banner on April 23.

Headlining the event, Pettis draws fellow former UFC feature, professional boxer, Clay Collard in his first outing to boot — as the pair open up the 2021 lightweight tournament. 

Also featured on the card is former two-time PFL 155-pound titleholder, Natan Schulte who clashes with former UFC, Bellator, and ACA grappling talent, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Marcin Held in a co-main event slot. 

Opening the event’s four-fight main card as the PFL return to a schedule for the first time since December 2019 amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, featherweight kingpin, Lance Palmer clashes with another promotional newcomer, former Brave CF titleholder, Bubba Jenkins. 

Recent Dana White’s Contender Series alum, Manchester standout, Brendan Loughnane also makes his return, hoping to make it six wins on the trot as he opens the event against former UFC featherweight contender, Sheymon Moraes. Another former Octagon talent also lands on the card as Canada’s, Olivier Aubin-Mercier clashes with Joliton Lutterbach on the ESPN+ portion of the event. (H/T MMA Fighting)

Inking terms with the promotion following a nine-year stay under the UFC’s bannerPettis, Milwaukee favourite, Pettis tested free-agency after his unanimous decision victory over the Alex Morono in December last at UFC Vegas 17.

Pettis joins a list of hugely-recognisable acquisitions for the promotion recently, linking up with the likes of former UFC heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, as well as Olympic gold medalist and boxing world champion, Claressa Shields. 

A former UFC lightweight titleholder, Pettis submitted fellow grappling ace, Benson Henderson at UFC 164 in August of 2013 to claim the throne, before knocking back former Strikeforce gold holder, Gilbert Melendez with a second round guillotine at UFC 181 in December of 2014 in his sole successful title defence.

Making his return to mixed martial arts for the first time since April of 2019, three-fight UFC veteran, Collard returned his hand to professional boxing in May of that year — establishing a commendable 9-3-3 professional résumé since then. 

18-8(1) as a professional mixed martial artist, Collard is currently riding a two-fight winning run, dropping his UFC debut to former featherweight kingpin, common-foe, Max Holloway back in August of 2014. In his sole promotional win, Collard took a judging victory over Alex White before decision losses to both Gabriel Benitez and Tiago Trator.