Tag: pfl

Paul Hughes No Longer Interested In Conor McGregor Cornering For Nurmagomedov Fight: ‘With Things Going Down Now…’

Paul Hughes has done a complete about-face regarding his enthusiasm for having Conor McGregor in the corner for his upcoming fight. When Hughes triumphed over AJ McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, he passionately floated the idea of enlisting his Irish compatriot, “The Notorious,” to join his corner for a […]

Paul Hughes has done a complete about-face regarding his enthusiasm for having Conor McGregor in the corner for his upcoming fight.

When Hughes triumphed over AJ McKee at PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants in October, he passionately floated the idea of enlisting his Irish compatriot, “The Notorious,” to join his corner for a potential title clash with reigning Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov.

At the time, McGregor pledged his support, expressing interest in standing in Hughes’ corner. The opportunity to reignite his storied rivalry with UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov — Usman’s first cousin and an almost certain presence in his corner — added an intriguing layer to the matchup.

“Big News” is now gearing up to face Nurmagomedov in the headline bout of the Road to Dubai Champions Series, set for Jan. 25 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, U.A.E. Surprisingly, though, he has decided to abandon his earlier plan of attempting to secure the former two-division UFC champion’s services for the biggest fight of his career to date.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Hughes said that he was simply toying with the idea and explained that he has no real plans to bring McGregor into his corner for the highly anticipated title clash.

“Look, I mean the whole corner thing, that was the post-fight interview where things were just being thrown there,” Hughes said. “Other than, that just blew up and did the rounds on social media a couple of times. Other than that, I haven’t mentioned it or looked about anything to do that.”

“Big News” further explained that, given McGregor’s involvement in a whirlwind of controversy following an Irish court ruling last month that he was liable for the assault of a woman who accused him of rape in 2018, it would be unwise to enlist the sport’s most iconic figure for his corner.

“Obviously with things going down now, it’s not something I’m going to continue to pursue.”

However, Hughes also mentioned that he would prefer to have another fellow Irishman, UFC welterweight sensation Ian Garry, in his corner.

Interestingly, “The Future” had previously offered his support, suggesting the idea of returning the favor after Hughes cornered him in 2021 during his title fight under the Cage Warriors banner.

PFL Announces Full Undercard For Road To Dubai Champions Series: Nurmagomedov vs. Hughes

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) will look to kick off the new year in style when it touches down in Dubai for the first Champions Series event of 2025. After completing its 2024 schedule with the PFL Europe Championship event in Lyon, France last week, the PFL’s attention will turn to a year that looks […]

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) will look to kick off the new year in style when it touches down in Dubai for the first Champions Series event of 2025.

After completing its 2024 schedule with the PFL Europe Championship event in Lyon, France last week, the PFL’s attention will turn to a year that looks set to be key in its pursuit of building a fanbase and becoming legitimate competition to the UFC.

There remains a lot of uncertainty entering 2025, especially regarding the status of a host of Bellator fighters who have made their frustration with their new employers known publicly.

While there hasn’t been much in response to the likes of Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix’s complaints, founder Donn Davis has surfaced on social media to promise that the PFL will stage more cards than ever in the new year.

That starts on Jan. 25 at UAE’s Coca-Cola Arena, where a seemingly revamped version of this year’s Bellator Champions Series will debut. While the Bellator brand is no longer mentioned in the event name, one of its champions will be in action as lightweight kingpin Usman Nurmagomedov defends his gold against Paul Hughes.

And this week, the PFL has rolled out the full undercard, mostly made up of rising names from the Middle East.

The organization is reportedly looking to put a late-notice co-headliner together after two matchups announced for Vadim Nemkov fell through. After a clash with Ante Delija was announced despite the Croatian being injured, a heavyweight trilogy versus Corey Anderson was set instead.

That evidently was announced prematurely, too, with the Russian seemingly turning down another battle with the current Bellator light heavyweight titleholder.

Main Card:

  • Bellator Lightweight Title: Usman Nurmagomedov (18-0) vs. Paul Hughes (13-1)
  • Featherweight: Khasan Magomedsharipov (10-0) vs. Nathan Kelly (11-2)
  • Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov (8-0) vs. Kenny Mokhonoana (5-1)
  • Bantamweight: Renat Khavalov (8-0) vs. Cleiver Fernandes (9-1)

Preliminary Card:

  • Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman (13-8) vs. Ahmed Samy (11-4)
  • Flyweight: Hadi Omar Al Hussaini (5-1-1) vs. Ruel Pañales (5-2)
  • Middleweight: Yakub Sulimanov (7-0) vs. Jarrah Al-Selawe (20-7)
  • Lightweight: John Mitchell (9-2) vs. Souhil Tairi (7-5-1)
  • Featherweight: Youssef Al Housani (4-1) vs. Assem Ghanem (4-0)
  • Middleweight: Mostafa Nada (9-3) vs. Haider Khan (8-1)
  • Lightweight: Mirafzal Akhtamov (7-0-1) vs. Mike Thompson (7-2)
Ibragim Ibragimov
Ibragim Ibragimov (image: PFL MMA)

Dakota Ditcheva Says Taila Santos’ Face Changed After One Leg Kick In PFL Title Fight: ‘She Underestimated Me’

2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva was pleased to teach Taila Santos a lesson in not underestimating opponents. Ditcheva recorded the biggest win of her blossoming career to date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month when she co-headlined this year’s PFL World Championship. The Brit figured in one of six title fights on the […]

2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva was pleased to teach Taila Santos a lesson in not underestimating opponents.

Ditcheva recorded the biggest win of her blossoming career to date in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia last month when she co-headlined this year’s PFL World Championship.

The Brit figured in one of six title fights on the main card at King Saud University — and arguably the most highly anticipated — after winning gold in PFL Europe last year and announcing herself on the global roster with three knockouts en route to her toughest test to date.

Ditcheva’s detractors have long used competition level as a means by which to take away from her unbeaten run. But that is no longer viable after she dominated Santos, a former top UFC contender whom many believed did enough to defeat Valentina Shevchenko two years ago.

The Brazilian fell the same way as many have to “Dangerous,” being overwhelmed by her striking offense before succumbing to brutal body shots in round two.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Ditcheva looked back on her successful trip to the Middle East, which saw her exit the SmartCage on Nov. 19 with gold wrapped around her waist and $1 million in prize money secured.

The 26-year-old acknowledged Santos’ dismissive pre-fight remarks inside the cage during her celebration and interview. And reflecting on them once again, Ditcheva suggested the experienced Brazilian made the surprising and fatal mistake of failing to “respect” the threat she was facing.

“I think honestly she probably underestimated me a little bit,” Ditcheva said. “Like, she has been saying through the whole tournament, not just this fight, from the very beginning that I’m just a Barbie, she’s a different level. I genuinely don’t think she respected me at all and where me, I respected every girl in this tournament, whether they’ve been in the UFC or not.

“I think genuinely she got shocked when I hit her. As soon as I hit with the first inside leg kick, I saw her face change, and then every shot I hit her with, she was just like making noises like it was hurting,” Ditcheva continued. “I think she probably underestimated me, which is a silly move to do and something I’m surprised she did at her level.”

Suffice to say, the chances of Ditcheva’s future opponents making the same mistake have no doubt slimmed after the manner with which she dispatched Santos at the PFL World Championship.

For now, it remains to be seen who will be opposite the “Dangerous” Brit next time out — and in which of the PFL’s entities. Ditcheva has already expressed hesitancy when it comes to competing in a second season, with the pay-per-view Super Fights events seemingly on her radar instead.

VIDEO: Former PFL Champion Raush Manfio Suffers Scary KO vs. Russian Nicknamed ‘Headhunter’ 

2021 PFL lightweight champion Raush Manfio’s struggles since leaving the promotion have continued. Manfio was among the PFL’s leading names after he joined in 2021 off the back of title success under the Titan FC banner. “Cavalo da Guerra” won the championship in his first season, defeating Joilton Lutterbach, Anthony Pettis, and Clayton Collard en […]

2021 PFL lightweight champion Raush Manfio’s struggles since leaving the promotion have continued.

Manfio was among the PFL’s leading names after he joined in 2021 off the back of title success under the Titan FC banner. “Cavalo da Guerra” won the championship in his first season, defeating Joilton Lutterbach, Anthony Pettis, and Clayton Collard en route to a victory over Loik Radzhabov in the final.

But the Brazilian’s PFL tenure came to an end on bad terms in 2023. Manfio was booked opposite friend and fellow countryman Natan Schulte in the final round of regular season matchups, losing by unanimous decision in a low-output and lackluster contest.

The promotion had been accused of pairing them up in order to boost Shane Burgos’ chances of qualification. And when the ex-UFC fighter couldn’t capitalize, the victorious Schulte was suspended and forced to sacrifice his playoff place to Burgos due to what the PFL branded an unacceptable level of effort against Manfio, who was also penalized.

Both later departed the PFL, with Schulte yet to make his return and Manfio competing twice.

After a submission defeat under the XFC banner this past May, “Cavalo da Guerra” moved to 0-2 in 2024 this weekend when he fought Bibert “Headhunter” Tumenov at ACA 182 in Moscow. Manfio’s woes were compounded in brutal fashion, as he was folded against the fence and rendered unconscious inside one round.

The result has left Manfio winless in three fights. Prior to his recent defeats, the Brazilian hadn’t fallen to a losing skid across his professional career.

Tumenov, meanwhile, has now won back-to-back outings opposite PFL alums under Russia’s ACA banner. He previously stopped Lance Palmer with strikes to move his winning run to three bouts. “Headhunter” also boasts a victory over Diego Brandão.

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is “Scared” to Fight Him in MMA; Diaz Fires Back at Accusations

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is "Scared" to Fight Him in MMA; Diaz Fires BackTensions continue to escalate between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz as the two combat sports stars exchange heated words…

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is "Scared" to Fight Him in MMA; Diaz Fires Back

Tensions continue to escalate between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz as the two combat sports stars exchange heated words over a potential MMA bout. Jake Paul, the social media sensation turned boxer, recently claimed that Diaz is avoiding a rematch under MMA rules despite the lucrative opportunity it presents.

Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz

“It’s funny that Nate Diaz is actually scared to fight me in MMA,” he said. “The biggest payday of his life would be me and him in MMA. I’m ready.”

Diaz, known for his no-nonsense attitude and storied MMA career, did not take kindly to Paul’s comments. The Stockton native responded on social media with a fiery retort: “Sign the contract Scary and not in 12 months from now and in a shitty organization Scary.”

The feud reignited after their first meeting on August 5, 2023, when Paul defeated Diaz in a boxing match via unanimous decision. The 10-round bout marked Diaz’s professional boxing debut, while Paul improved his record to 7-1. The event drew significant attention, generating 450,000 pay-per-view buys and over $30 million in total revenue.

Following the fight, Paul proposed an MMA rematch, a format where Diaz, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and veteran of the sport, would seemingly have the advantage. However, negotiations have yet to materialize into a signed contract, leading to public speculation and verbal jabs between the two.

Nate Diaz is a former UFC standout with 15 years in the organization, built his reputation on his grappling expertise and resilience in the octagon. His career highlights include defeating Conor McGregor in 2016 and competing for the “BMF” title against Jorge Masvidal in 2019.

‘The Problem Chi’d Jake Paul, on the other hand, has carved his niche by defeating former MMA champions in boxing. He has consistently used his platform to challenge traditional combat sports boundaries, including calling out seasoned fighters like Diaz.

Jake Paul Claims Nate Diaz is Scared to Fight Him in MMA Diaz Fires Back 1

As both fighters continue to exchange barbs, fans are left wondering whether this war of words will translate into action inside the cage. A rematch in MMA could potentially break new ground for crossover combat sports events, adding another chapter to the rivalry between Paul and Diaz.

Fanmio issue statement after Nate Diaz files lawsuit the truth with triumph

For now, the ball appears to be in the court of promoters and managers, as both fighters push for terms that fit their respective goals. One thing is certain: the tension between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz isn’t cooling down anytime soon.

Champion Johnny Eblen Calls Out Jake Paul for MMA Fight Under Modified Rules

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake PaulJohnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social…

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

Johnny Eblen, Bellator’s undefeated Middleweight Champion, is targeting none other than Jake Paul. In a bold statement on social media, Eblen directly challenged ‘The Problem Child’ Paul, the popular social media star and boxer.

Johnny Eblen vs. Jake Paul

In a comment directed at Jake Paul, Johnny Eblen said:

“@jakepaul fight me in MMA with modified rules. We both signed to the @pflmma, why not. Let’s run it.”

johnny eblen vs Jake Paul

The challenge carries weight, as both athletes are currently under contract with the PFL. While Eblen’s MMA credentials are unquestionable, boasting a perfect 16-0 record and a dominant wrestling background, Paul has primarily made waves in boxing. However, Paul’s involvement with PFL suggests he’s open to competing in mixed martial arts.

Johnny Eblen has cemented his status as one of the world’s top middleweights, thanks to his dominant title reign in Bellator. Known for his aggressive and technical style, he has successfully defended his title multiple times since capturing it in 2022.

Jake Paul, 27, has carved a unique path in combat sports. After achieving fame as a social media influencer, he transitioned to professional boxing, amassing an 11-1 record. His fights often spark controversy but draw massive attention, with his latest victory over Mike Tyson in November 2024 generating the largest boxing gate in U.S. history outside Las Vegas.

A potential Eblen-Paul fight would bring together two figures in MMA and boxing. While Eblen has proven himself in the cage, Paul’s willingness to explore MMA, especially under modified rules, could bring even more intrigue to the matchup.

Whether this challenge materializes into an actual bout remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Johnny Eblen isn’t afraid to mix it up. Now, the ball is in Jake Paul’s court.