Tag: PFL News

Fabricio Werdum Opts Against Retirement, Eyes 2022 PFL Return

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum has decided against calling it quits after reports of his absence from the 2022 PFL season. Werdum hasn’t fought since his controversial loss to Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut that was later overturned to a no-contest. This after Ferreira appeared to tap to a submission from Werdum, the…

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Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum has decided against calling it quits after reports of his absence from the 2022 PFL season.

Werdum hasn’t fought since his controversial loss to Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut that was later overturned to a no-contest. This after Ferreira appeared to tap to a submission from Werdum, the fight wasn’t stopped and Ferreira earned a knockout just seconds later.

Werdum signed with the PFL after the UFC opted not to re-sign him following a win over Alexander Gustafsson in July 2020. He was slated to face Brandon Sayles for his second PFL bout last June but was unable to get medical clearance.

During a recent interview with Ag.Fight, Werdum teased a potential retirement from MMA after a long career in the cage.

“It’s a bit complicated to say that to a fighter after 24 years of fighting,” Werdum said. “Even my wife keeps telling me to say I’m retired, that I’m done. I tell her I won’t say it. … But talking about MMA, I think it’s hard for me to come back because it’s more dedication, staying two, three months in the United States, and I’m living in Brazil for a year and three months now. If there’s a boxing match, I’d do it. … To sum it up: boxing, yes. MMA, no. It would need to be an out-of-this-world offer to make me stop doing what I’ve been doing right now.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Now, as first reported by Sherdog, Werdum has decided that he would like to compete for the PFL in 2022 and has asked to make his return in June.

Werdum earned the UFC heavyweight title by submitting Cain Velasquez in June 2015. He would go on to lose the belt in his first title defense via a first-round knockout to Stipe Miocic.

MMA News will keep you posted on who Werdum is pitted against should he get his wish of returning to competition in June.

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Jeremy Stephens Reveals His Favorite Moment From His UFC Career

MMA veteran Jeremy Stephens has fought some of the top 145-pounders in UFC history during his career, but one moment stands out above the rest. Stephens is set to face Clay Collard in his PFL debut on April 20 in the season opener. He signed with the league during the offseason after parting ways with…

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MMA veteran Jeremy Stephens has fought some of the top 145-pounders in UFC history during his career, but one moment stands out above the rest.

Stephens is set to face Clay Collard in his PFL debut on April 20 in the season opener. He signed with the league during the offseason after parting ways with the UFC after a long tenure with the promotion.

Stephens is on a five-fight losing streak and is looking to get back in the win column in this new chapter in his career. He competed against some of the top featherweights such as José Aldo, Yair Rodriguez, and Max Holloway.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Stephens looked back on his favorite moment in the Octagon.

“One of the biggest moments that I could really remember that everything around it was amazing, was when I flying knee’d Dennis Bermudez,” Stephens said. “I gotta shake the boss man’s hand after, hopping over the fence, flexing on Arnold Schwarzenegger and taking pictures in the back. I actually drove back to San Diego for my Dad and a lot of family came out to San Diego to visit me, and it was just an incredible experience that night.

UFC 189 results: Jeremy Stephens stops Dennis Bermudez with flying knee and punches - Bloody Elbow
Image Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

“It was immaculate. Conor McGregor fought on the card, the Irish fans, the best fans in the world the way that they showed up there at 9 a.m. in the hotel lobby. Just as respectful as can be, calling you ‘legend’. They took care of my Grandma just because she’s my Grandma and my Dad. Very amazing atmosphere to be around, so that was probably one of the biggest moments.”

Stephens defeated Dennis Bermudez at UFC 189, on a card that featured Conor McGregor’s memorable win over Chad Mendes in the main event. He would go on to pick up wins over former UFC champion Renan Barao and Gilbert Melendez.

Stephens will make the move to lightweight for the upcoming PFL season, joining top talents such as Anthony Pettis and defending champion Raush Manfio. He’ll have the opportunity to create the biggest moment of his career in the PFL cage.

What are your expectations for Jeremy Stephens in the PFL?

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Harrison Responds To “Can Crusher” Narrative With Impassioned Speech

Kayla Harrison has come to the defense of fellow MMA fighters against trolls. Kayla Harrison is not going to sit back and let people bash her fellow MMA fighters. Harrison is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about female fighters in the world and having all that spotlight shining on her seems like a good…

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Kayla Harrison has come to the defense of fellow MMA fighters against trolls.

Kayla Harrison is not going to sit back and let people bash her fellow MMA fighters. Harrison is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about female fighters in the world and having all that spotlight shining on her seems like a good opportunity to express her true feelings.

In an interview with Sirius XM, Harrison spoke about her feelings towards people on the internet dissing the women she faces.

“The internet is just full of all this noise,” Harrison said. “I used to get so upset by it, but I really just want to say to them, shame on you. Shame on you for calling these women—first of all, women’s MMA wasn’t even a real thing how many years ago. This has been built very quickly and it’s grown exponentially because of Miesha, because of Ronda, because of all these girls who are like, ‘I’m so good you can’t ignore me’ basically. Now we have women who are stepping into the cage who are working two jobs and who are single moms and are doing all this stuff and they are actually chasing their dreams and who are literally fighting for what they love.”

Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison (Photo: Instagram @JudoKayla)

Harrison recently re-signed with PFL. PFL has been her home for MMA for the past three seasons. Leading up to this 2022 season, Harrison was toying with the idea of leaving the promotion and targeted a potential bout with Cris Cyborg in Bellator.

Ultimately, that deal was not made and Harrison will once again compete for the PFL championship and one million dollars. There have been people who are critical of the competition that Harrison has faced or will face in PFL, to these people she has something to say.

“And these a–holes on the internet have the balls to call them cans, like no, you’re a can,” Harrison said. “You’re a can, you’re a tomato can, you’re a POS, how dare you talk about these women like that? It’s so frustrating to me.”

Harrison might be in PFL for this next year or more, but she is still open to facing tougher competition. She has expressed interest in facing both Cris Cyborg and Amanda Nunes in the future.

What are your thoughts on Kayla Harrison’s passionate speech in response to the “can crusher” label placed upon her?

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Kayla Harrison Says UFC Made Her A Historic Offer During Free Agency

Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has detailed the negotiations that took place and the offer she received from the UFC during her time as a free agent. While the past six months have seen new stories and headlines develop, one constant point of discussion has been the future of Harrison. Following her victory over Taylor…

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Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison has detailed the negotiations that took place and the offer she received from the UFC during her time as a free agent.

While the past six months have seen new stories and headlines develop, one constant point of discussion has been the future of Harrison.

Following her victory over Taylor Guardado in October, a triumph that extended her unbeaten record to 12-0 and secured her second consecutive PFL lightweight championship, the Ohio native entered the uncertain waters of free agency.

From the UFC to Bellator, the two-time Olympic gold medalist certainly wasn’t short of offers. According to her manager, the WWE even reached out over a potential signing.

But after back and forth rumors, changes, and appearances at various promotions, it was announced last week that Harrison had signed a multi-year deal and would be staying put in the PFL cage.

Despite the final weeks of her free agency suggesting either a signing with Bellator or another stint with PFL, Harrison recently revealed she had positive discussions with the UFC.

Harrison Also Received ‘First-Of-Its-Kind’ Offer From UFC

In the aftermath of her signing, both Harrison and her manager Ali Abdelaziz have boasted about the special nature of her contract, which Abdelaziz claims makes her the highest-paid female mixed martial artist of all time.

As it turns out, that wasn’t the only special deal on her table.

During a recent interview with ESPN MMA’s Marc Raimondi, Harrison detailed the negotiations that took place between her team and the UFC, revealing that the Dana White-led promotion also sent a ‘first-of-its-kind’ deal her way.

“There were good interactions (with the UFC). It was a great deal (that they offered). And I think, again, I was very pleased to hear that it’s an offer that hasn’t really happened before,” said Harrison.

Ultimately, the 31-year-old cited different guarantees and timing as the reasons why the UFC’s offer wasn’t further assessed.

“But I think that the guarantee is a little bit different. I don’t really know how to say this. It was a great offer, but getting into all the moving parts, getting into behind the scenes, getting into all the little things that people may not understand or know about—it didn’t make sense and the timing wasn’t right. And also, it didn’t matter because PFL would’ve matched that one,” Harrison concluded.

For now, at least, fans will continue seeing Harrison in the PFL. While she plans on making a run for her third straight championship in this year’s season, the former judoka is targeting big fights in 2023.

If she continues running through her competition, it remains possible that the 31-year-old will eventually enter the Octagon or mix it up with rival Cris Cyborg over in Bellator.

Who would you have liked to see Kayla Harrison put pen-to-paper with? Are you happy to see her back in the PFL?

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Kayla Harrison Opens Up About Traumatic Past And Suicidal Thoughts

Undefeated PFL veteran Kayla Harrison spoke on her past sexual abuse and hitting one of the lowest points in her life. Undoubtedly, Harrison has proven her toughness. Before she was a dominant force in the Professional Fighters League, she crushed the Judo Olympic competition in 2012 and 2016, taking home the gold twice. And it…

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Undefeated PFL veteran Kayla Harrison spoke on her past sexual abuse and hitting one of the lowest points in her life.

Undoubtedly, Harrison has proven her toughness. Before she was a dominant force in the Professional Fighters League, she crushed the Judo Olympic competition in 2012 and 2016, taking home the gold twice.

And it didn’t stop there. Harrison continued her exemplary legacy in MMA and became the PFL Women’s Lightweight World Champion in 2019, and she would go on to win the 2021 lightweight tournament as well.

Kayla Harrison
Kayla Harrison, Photo Credit: Getty Images

Kayla Harrison proves time and time again why she is one of the fiercest competitors in the game by delivering 5 knockouts and 5 submissions in her 12-fight career.

It takes more than just physical capability to be as powerful as Kayla in the cage. It takes a strong mind to put in the effort to be great.

All of her accomplishments justify the strength she has mentally, to grow and forgive a traumatic event of her past. At a young age, Harrison was sexually abused by her coach, and it made her question her will to live.

That dark time forced her to make a decision.

“When I was in my teens, I was suicidal. I didn’t want to live. I got to the point where I was either gonna run away, kill myself, or say something,” she told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.

Harrison is thankful to herself for mustering the courage to speak out against her abusive coach. He was put away for ten years, released in 2016.

She suffered from PTSD and felt she hit several low points in her life. And although that event was scarring for her, she expressed appreciation for it.

“I’m not sorry. No, I’m grateful because I think that everything happens for a reason, and then I think that I wouldn’t be who I am today if I hadn’t gone through that and I wouldn’t be the person I am, the fighter I am, and the survivor I am, the mother I am… the friend I am. I wouldn’t be Kayla if I hadn’t gone through that and I wouldn’t be able to change the world the way I want to if that hadn’t happened to me, ya know?”

Kayla Harrison uses the traumatic experience as a reason to be a better person, instead of allowing it to consume her mind and dig her into a deeper pit of despair.

Her courageous acts and phenomenal performances make her a true inspiration for many people out there. She is living proof that it is possible to change the course of your life and not allow your past to overcome you.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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Coker On Harrison/PFL: I Hope They Can Find Someone For Her To Fight

Bellator president Scott Coker is questioning Kayla Harrison’s decision to re-sign with the PFL and not sign with either Bellator or the UFC. Harrison concluded her free agency this week when she opted to re-sign with the PFL on a multi-year deal. She also had conversations with the UFC and Bellator before ultimately deciding to…

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Bellator president Scott Coker is questioning Kayla Harrison’s decision to re-sign with the PFL and not sign with either Bellator or the UFC.

Harrison concluded her free agency this week when she opted to re-sign with the PFL on a multi-year deal. She also had conversations with the UFC and Bellator before ultimately deciding to stay loyal to PFL.

Coker and Bellator pitched the top offer to Harrison before the PFL matched shortly afterward.

Some around MMA remain concerned about Harrison’s level of competition in the PFL, despite the league signing former Bellator champion Julia Budd and boxing superstar Claressa Shields. Nevertheless, Harrison remains intent on accomplishing her goals in the PFL and seems confident that the league will bring top talent to face her.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Coker opined that Harrison could have ongoing issues finding elite competition in the PFL.

“With Kayla right now, I don’t know who she’s gonna fight over there,” Coker said of Harrison. “She’s got to fight the girls that are the dominant girls in that weight class, (who) are Cyborg, to me the greatest female fighter of all time, Amanda Nunes, and then Kayla. She’s growing, she’s doing very well, but she’s got to fight somebody to really showcase that she has that ability to fight at that elite level.

PFL Harrison vs Dandois
Kayla Harrison and Cindy Dandois in their lightweight fight at PFL 6 (PHOTO: Cooper Neill / PFL)

“And that’s why we made a run because Cris Cyborg was like, ‘Look, I’ll fight anybody, and let’s get her on.’ And we said, ‘Hey, that would be a fun fight to promote,’ but listen, it didn’t work out. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t, good for them, but we’re gonna move forward with our business with Cris. We’re in the Cris Cyborg business. I just hope they find somebody to fight Kayla at some point.”

Harrison is getting ready to compete in the 2022 PFL season and will look to defend her women’s lightweight title. Harrison defeated Taylor Guardado for the PFL Championship last October.

Harrison had been rumored to be tied to superfights with former UFC champions Amanda Nunes and Cris “Cyborg” Justino. In addition to Harrison’s new deal, the PFL has announced that they will open a “superfight division” to attract top talent to the league.

Do you think Kayla Harrison made the right move to return to PFL?

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