Tag: pfl

Cris Cyborg Issues Scathing Response to Claressa Shields’ Rebuke – MMA Vs. Boxing

Cris Cyborg Issues Scathing Response to Claressa Shields' RebukeThe war of words between MMA legend Cris Cyborg and boxing great Claressa Shields has reached a boiling point,…

Cris Cyborg Issues Scathing Response to Claressa Shields' Rebuke

The war of words between MMA legend Cris Cyborg and boxing great Claressa Shields has reached a boiling point, with both fighters exchanging heated challenges and personal digs. Both fighters are interested in a fight but cannot agree on a weight or rule set. Boxing or MMA?

Cris Cyborg vs. Claressa Shields

The tension erupted after Shields declared, “I would f*ck her up in a street fight,” during a recent interview.

Cyborg, not one to back down, responded on social media: “Someone tell ‘The GWOAT’ we are both signed to the same MMA promoter. Just sign the PFL contract.”

This shows the growing animosity between the two combat sports icons.

The Cris Cyborg vs. Claressa Shields rivalry has been simmering for years, dating back to a sparring session in 2017. Shields has often claimed she outperformed Cyborg during the session. Using it to dismiss the MMA fighter’s recent callouts as mere attention-seeking. Cyborg, however, has accused Claressa Shields of fighting inexperienced opponents in her MMA appearances and avoiding legitimate challenges.

Claressa SHields

Cyborg has publicly offered to face Shields in both MMA and boxing but insists on fair terms, including weight adjustments. Shields has remained firm in rejecting an MMA bout, citing Cyborg’s extensive experience in the cage. Instead, she prefers a boxing match, which she believes would offer a more level playing field. Cris Cyborg has wins in MMA, Kickboxing, and professional boxing. Shields is highly experienced in boxing but has had only some fights in MMA with the PFL.

cris cyborg1

Cris Cyborg is widely regarded as one of the greatest female mixed martial artists of all time having achieved an unparalleled feat: winning world championships in five major MMA promotions—Strikeforce, Invicta FC, UFC, Bellator, and the PFL.

Claressa Shields, on the other hand, has cemented her legacy in boxing. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and the first woman to become undisputed champion in multiple weight classes, Shields boasts an unblemished professional record. Her achievements have earned her accolades as one of the best pound-for-pound female boxers in history.

Claressa Shields Heavyweight

The ongoing feud has left fans speculating about whether the rivalry will culminate in an actual fight. With both fighters signed to the PFL, a clash in MMA seems feasible—if Shields agrees to step into the cage. A boxing match, however, remains the more likely scenario given her reluctance to face Cyborg under MMA rules.

For now, the verbal sparring continues, keeping fans entertained and hopeful for a blockbuster crossover bout in 2025. Whether the fight materializes remains to be seen.

cris cyborg

Dakota Ditcheva On What Separates PFL From UFC: ‘They’re Very Clever With It…’

2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva sees one area in which her current promotion firmly surpasses the mixed martial arts leader. The Professional Fighters League and its higher-ups like founder Donn Davis have long outlined its intentions to reach “co-leader” status in MMA. But while the acquisition of rival promotion Bellator MMA appeared to […]

2024 PFL Women’s Flyweight Champion Dakota Ditcheva sees one area in which her current promotion firmly surpasses the mixed martial arts leader.

The Professional Fighters League and its higher-ups like founder Donn Davis have long outlined its intentions to reach “co-leader” status in MMA. But while the acquisition of rival promotion Bellator MMA appeared to mark a potential step toward that, 2024 didn’t exactly go to plan.

The year ended with multiple Bellator fighters, including champions Patrício “Pitbull” Freire” and Patchy Mix, publicly calling out the PFL over canceled fights and events, even requesting their releases.

With that, plenty remain skeptical about the organization’s long-term future, let alone ability to rival the UFC. But that doesn’t mean the PFL hasn’t excelled in some areas — namely, Europe.

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Dakota Ditcheva — one of the biggest names to emerge from the promotion’s first regional expansion, PFL Europe — lauded her employer for placing focus on discovering the next generation of top MMA fighters in the continent.

“One thing I will say about that, people were commenting all the time, ‘UFC missed out on PFL [Europe],’ and what PFL did right was they went to Europe and picked up that young talent, and that’s how they ended up with me,” Ditcheva said. “They’ve kind of gone out of that top-level zone, picked up the young talent, and now look what they’re getting.

“I do think they’re very clever with it and think they’ll come up with something cool (next),” Ditcheva concluded.

After establishing herself as one to watch with a few wins under the PFL banner, Ditcheva — MMA News’ Female Fighter of the Year for 2024 — competed as part of the inaugural PFL Europe season. She breezed through the competition en route to the women’s flyweight title in 2023.

That secured her spot in the very first PFL Global 125-pound season this year, placing her on a roster that included the likes of Taila Santos, Liz Carmouche, and Juliana Velasquez. “Dangerous” proved that the hype behind her name is warranted, recording three finishes to reach the final before obliterating Santos for the belt and $1 million prize money.

Many have since expressed a desire to see Ditcheva under the UFC banner, especially with her next step in the PFL unknown. The Brit has already suggested that a return to the season format wouldn’t make sense, instead pitching herself as part of the PFL Super Fights events.

Given the difficult many have seemingly had securing fights, it remains to be seen whether such a switch would provide the level of activity that the undefeated 26-year-old is after.

PFL Founder Calls For ‘Less Noise & Disinformation’ In 2025 Amid Fighter Complaints

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community. 2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA. While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of […]

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community.

2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA.

While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of notable fighters, the past 12 months have been littered with issues relating to the merger, from complaints over unpaid medical expenses from before the PFL purchased Bellator to canceled events.

The ultimately failed Bellator Champions Series didn’t produce the number of cards or title fights that were laid out at the start of last year, leaving champions like Patricio Freire and Patchy Mix without their desired level of activity. Both have even publicly requested their releases.

PFL higher-ups haven’t spoken on the complaints from ex-Bellator athletes in recent times. Davis, for one, has instead continued to tout his promotion’s achievements in 2024 and dismiss any suggestion that fighters have been left in the cold.

And in his latest post, the 62-year-old commented on another seemingly disgruntled Bellator name, Aaron Pico.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Pico’s manager stated that his man is now a free agent entering 2025 and is looking for regular fights having not competed since the PFL vs. Bellator event 11 months ago.

But despite inactivity seemingly bothering the 28-year-old featherweight, Davis claimed a “major” deal and title fight is on the table for Pico.

“2025 hopefully brings less MMA noise and disinformation,” Davis wrote, before addressing Pico’s situation. “@PFLMMA? has offered Pico title fight and major new contract … We love Aaron and look forward to him having big fights at #PFL for the long-term.”

Pico was expected to challenge “Pitbull” on New Year’s Eve before that became the latest event to fall by the wayside.

It remains to be seen what will come next for the decorated wrestler, who has won his last three fights opposite James Gonzalez, Pedro Carvalho, and James Kennedy.

PFL Founder Calls For ‘Less Noise & Disinformation’ In 2025 Amid Fighter Complaints

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community. 2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA. While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of […]

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community.

2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA.

While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of notable fighters, the past 12 months have been littered with issues relating to the merger, from complaints over unpaid medical expenses from before the PFL purchased Bellator to canceled events.

The ultimately failed Bellator Champions Series didn’t produce the number of cards or title fights that were laid out at the start of last year, leaving champions like Patricio Freire and Patchy Mix without their desired level of activity. Both have even publicly requested their releases.

PFL higher-ups haven’t spoken on the complaints from ex-Bellator athletes in recent times. Davis, for one, has instead continued to tout his promotion’s achievements in 2024 and dismiss any suggestion that fighters have been left in the cold.

And in his latest post, the 62-year-old commented on another seemingly disgruntled Bellator name, Aaron Pico.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Pico’s manager stated that his man is now a free agent entering 2025 and is looking for regular fights having not competed since the PFL vs. Bellator event 11 months ago.

But despite inactivity seemingly bothering the 28-year-old featherweight, Davis claimed a “major” deal and title fight is on the table for Pico.

“2025 hopefully brings less MMA noise and disinformation,” Davis wrote, before addressing Pico’s situation. “@PFLMMA? has offered Pico title fight and major new contract … We love Aaron and look forward to him having big fights at #PFL for the long-term.”

Pico was expected to challenge “Pitbull” on New Year’s Eve before that became the latest event to fall by the wayside.

It remains to be seen what will come next for the decorated wrestler, who has won his last three fights opposite James Gonzalez, Pedro Carvalho, and James Kennedy.

PFL Founder Calls For ‘Less Noise & Disinformation’ In 2025 Amid Fighter Complaints

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community. 2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA. While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of […]

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community.

2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA.

While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of notable fighters, the past 12 months have been littered with issues relating to the merger, from complaints over unpaid medical expenses from before the PFL purchased Bellator to canceled events.

The ultimately failed Bellator Champions Series didn’t produce the number of cards or title fights that were laid out at the start of last year, leaving champions like Patricio Freire and Patchy Mix without their desired level of activity. Both have even publicly requested their releases.

PFL higher-ups haven’t spoken on the complaints from ex-Bellator athletes in recent times. Davis, for one, has instead continued to tout his promotion’s achievements in 2024 and dismiss any suggestion that fighters have been left in the cold.

And in his latest post, the 62-year-old commented on another seemingly disgruntled Bellator name, Aaron Pico.

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Pico’s manager stated that his man is now a free agent entering 2025 and is looking for regular fights having not competed since the PFL vs. Bellator event 11 months ago.

But despite inactivity seemingly bothering the 28-year-old featherweight, Davis claimed a “major” deal and title fight is on the table for Pico.

“2025 hopefully brings less MMA noise and disinformation,” Davis wrote, before addressing Pico’s situation. “@PFLMMA? has offered Pico title fight and major new contract … We love Aaron and look forward to him having big fights at #PFL for the long-term.”

Pico was expected to challenge “Pitbull” on New Year’s Eve before that became the latest event to fall by the wayside.

It remains to be seen what will come next for the decorated wrestler, who has won his last three fights opposite James Gonzalez, Pedro Carvalho, and James Kennedy.

VIDEO: Francis Ngannou & Dakota Ditcheva Feature As PFL Counts Down Top 15 Finishes Of 2024

While the year was far from smooth for the Professional Fighters League (PFL), its events still had plenty of memorable moments. 2024 marked the first year of PFL action post-acquisition of the Bellator MMA brand. Unfortunately, canceled events and disgruntled fighters have largely dominated headlines for the promotion, with champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix […]

While the year was far from smooth for the Professional Fighters League (PFL), its events still had plenty of memorable moments.

2024 marked the first year of PFL action post-acquisition of the Bellator MMA brand. Unfortunately, canceled events and disgruntled fighters have largely dominated headlines for the promotion, with champions Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix most notably requesting their releases following public complaints over their treatment.

But as the organization battles issues away from the cage, the action inside it has still often delivered, with 2024 seeing some of the promotion’s most brutal finishes to date.

And the PFL recently counted down the top 15 in a YouTube video, featuring Francis Ngannou’s rapid knockout of Renan Ferreira in his MMA return and Dakota Ditcheva’s punishing attack on Taila Santos’ body in their flyweight title clash.

Those two weren’t able to secure top spot, however, with that instead going to middleweight contender Costello van Steenis. “The Spaniard” moved to 2-0 this year by viciously sleeping João Vitor Dantas in just 48 seconds at last month’s championship event in Saudi Arabia.

2025 will no doubt see plenty more memorable finishes added to the PFL’s highlight packages, with the first opportunity for additions coming on Jan. 25 in Dubai.

The opening event of the new year sees Bellator Lightweight Champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Irish up-and-comer Paul Hughes collide with gold on the line in the Road To Dubai: Champions Series main event. Meanwhile, the likes of Nathan Kelly and Ibragim Ibragimov make up the undercard contests.