WWE’s Lilian Garcia Joins Professional Fighters League as In Cage Announcer

WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia is moving from the squared circle to the cage. On Monday, Professional Fighters League officials announced that the 15-year veteran of World Wrestling Entertainment would be joining the PFL as the new in-cage announcer …

WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia is moving from the squared circle to the cage. On Monday, Professional Fighters League officials announced that the 15-year veteran of World Wrestling Entertainment would be joining the PFL as the new in-cage announcer starting with season 2 kicking off on May 9. “I’m looking forward to stepping in the […]

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PFL Investor Bruce Deifik Dies In Car Crash

Bruce Deifik, the former owner of the Ocean Resort Casino and Professional Fighters League (PFL) investor, has died. Paul O’Gara, Deifik’s lawyer, told the Associated Press that Deifik died in a car crash. He was driving home after attendin…

Bruce Deifik, the former owner of the Ocean Resort Casino and Professional Fighters League (PFL) investor, has died. Paul O’Gara, Deifik’s lawyer, told the Associated Press that Deifik died in a car crash. He was driving home after attending a Colorado Rockies baseball game. Deifik was 64. A spokesperson for the Ocean Resort Casino said […]

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PFL Announces Multi-Year Broadcast Deal With ESPN

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a multi-year broadcast deal with ESPN. This is an interesting move for the sports media juggernaut, who recently obtained the broadcast rights to the UFC. PFL made the announcement today (Mon. February 25, 2019) that their events would now air on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+. Also, PFL has […]

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The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a multi-year broadcast deal with ESPN.

This is an interesting move for the sports media juggernaut, who recently obtained the broadcast rights to the UFC. PFL made the announcement today (Mon. February 25, 2019) that their events would now air on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+. Also, PFL has struck a similar deal with TSN to air their cards in Canada.

PFL and ESPN’s new broadcast deal kicks off on Thursdays in May with regular season events airing through August. Then, three playoff cards will air in October before season finals on New Year’s Eve. The finals will air on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

ESPN executive vice president of programming Burke Magnus had this to say in an official statement:

“We are pleased to add the PFL to our combat sports roster. This unique and innovative competition structure provides MMA fans with a great option to see some of the best fights and content in the sport.

“ESPN is the home of combat sports, and we look forward to delivering thrilling live PFL events and powerful storytelling to fans, across all platforms.”

PFL CEO Peter Murray also commented:

“We are thrilled to bring the PFL to ESPN, the undisputed leader in sports. ESPN is a ground-breaking pioneer that has fundamentally changed the way fans consume sports, and we at the PFL are reimagining MMA for fans and fighters.”

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PFL Fighter Required Emergency Surgery After Frightening Knockout Loss

This was a frightening knockout.

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As we’ve noted, last night’s (Thurs. August 30, 2018) PFL 7 event featured one of the most frightening knockouts you’ll ever see.

After a two-year layoff, Muhammad De’Reese hit Leroy Johnson with a knee in the clinch that planted Johnson on his face. De’Reese hadn’t competed since his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 23 in 2016.

The knockout was so devastating that Johnson was left unconscious for quite some time before he came to. Eventually he was able to leave the cage on his own power. Check out the knockout here:

Soon after the ordeal, Johnson was transported to a nearby hospital. His manager revealed on Twitter that an emergency surgery was required for the heavyweight:

“For those wondering about LeRoy Johnson, here’s the update I have. had emergency surgery for a vertebrae that slipped out of place & a 2nd surgery for high blood pressure issues. Has feeling in arms and legs. PFL flying his fiancé to Philly to be with him. Thats all I know now”

MMA Junkie reports that both Rubenstein and a PFL official have confirmed they will provide updates on the situation as more becomes available.

For now, Johnson seems to be stable in the emergency room and has his family with him.

We wish him the best in his recovery from injuries suffered in the loss.

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PFL 2: Firmino vs. Brooks Live Results

Get live results for tonight’s PFL 2 right here:

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Professional Fight League is holding their second event in Chicago on Thursday, and the preliminary portion of the card was action-packed with several former UFC and Bellator fighters picking up impressive victories.

On the main card, former Bellator lightweight champion Will Brooks will meet Luiz Firmino, UFC vet Ramsey Nijem will meet Brian Foster, and Olympic judo medalist Kayla Harrison will make her MMA debut against Brittney Elkin.

Former Bellator middleweight champion Brandon Halsey looked outstanding in his light heavyweight tournament bout against former heavyweight Smealinho Rama, who Halsey stopped via TKO after a cut over Rama’s eye ended the fight at the end of the second round.

Elsewhere on the undercard, former UFC fighter Thiago Tavares lost in bizarre fashion to Robert Watley. Tavares suffered a kick to the groin early into the second round, but the referee deemed the kick accidental, and Watley was awarded the TKO win. Vinny Magalhaes scored a quick submission victory, as well.

PFL features a tournament-based format with a $1 million prize for the winner.

Here are the results:

Main Card:

Luiz Firmino vs. Will Brooks

Brian Foster vs. Ramsey Nijem

Kayla Harrison vs. Brittney Elkin

Efrain Escudero vs. Jason High

Ronny Markes vs. Sean O’Connell

Preliminary Card:

Vinny Magalhaes def. Jamie Abdallah, submission (rear-naked choke), 1:37 round one

Brandon Halsey def. Smealinho Rama, TKO, 0:01 round three

Rakim Cleveland def. Rashid Yusupov, TKO, 5:00 round two

Islam Mamedov def. Yuki Kawana via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Maxim Grishin def. Jason Butcher, TKO, 1:40 round one

Robert Watley def. Thiago Tavares, TKO, 0:35 round two

Natan Schulte def. Chris Wade via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 29-28)

Dan Spohn def. Bazigit Atajev, TKO, 4:31 round three.

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PFL Preview: Exclusive Interview With Daniel Gallemore

Daniel Gallemore is in the perfect situation right now. He is training with some of the best Heavyweights in the world on a regular basis, he has won his last three fights in a row, and he is getting the opportunity to fight a big name in the sport ton…

Daniel Gallemore is in the perfect situation right now. He is training with some of the best Heavyweights in the world on a regular basis, he has won his last three fights in a row, and he is getting the opportunity to fight a big name in the sport tonight at Fight Night DC. Gallemore […]