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.
Now THAT was violent. Bibert Tumenov with a one hitter kill shot against Raush Manfio. Completely folded against the fence. Scary KO #ACA182pic.twitter.com/GgcpbLakXW
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.
Chael Sonnen is backing the PFL’s decision to suspend Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte after delivering a lackluster performance in their PFL 6 preliminary bout last week. The Professional Fighters League has received a fair amount of backlash for their decision to suspend the American Top Team teammates after a three-round fight that felt more […]
Chael Sonnen is backing the PFL’s decision to suspend Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte after delivering a lackluster performance in their PFL 6 preliminary bout last week.
The Professional Fighters League has received a fair amount of backlash for their decision to suspend the American Top Team teammates after a three-round fight that felt more like a light sparring session. Natan Schulte ultimately went on to win the bout via a unanimous decision, earning him the three points necessary to clinch a spot in the 2023 PFL playoffs. However, the PFL was clearly in no mood to reward either man for their sleep-inducing performances. Less than 24 hours after the snoozefest, the PFL released a statement confirming that both fighters would be suspended effective immediately and Schulte’s playoff spot would be handed to Shane Burgos.
“Last Night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition,” a statement from the PFL read. “All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements agree to use their ‘best efforts… skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete… and defeat any opponent. It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout.”
Most fight fans and fighters have vehemently disagreed with the PFL’s decision. After all, they are the ones that booked a fight between two close friends and teammates. But former three-time UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen doesn’t see it that way. Appearing on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, ‘The American Gangster’ commended the PFL for taking action and thoroughly explaining their decision.
“The PFL has done some things lately that have been awesome,” Sonnen said. “This is one of them, where when they made this decision. They came out and got in front of everything. They had a wonderful PR operator who, when they released this decision, said why they have the right to do it. They stated what was in the bylaws of the contract that you agree at all times to bring your best skillset and aggression against all opponents. They showed what the violation was, which any reasonable person would agree was violated… I don’t think the PFL was wrong” (h/t MMA News).
Chael Sonnen believes the PFL handled the suspensions of Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio correctly. #TheMMAHour
"When they made this decision, they came out and got in front of everything."
Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio Respond to Their Abrupt PFL Suspensions
Natan Schulte expressed his displeasure with the decision on Twitter and dragged recent PFL signee Francis Ngannou into the conversation, citing his role as a member of the promotion’s Global Advisory Board.
“I am very unsatisfied with the decision that was taken by the PFL last night to favor Shane Burgos’ entry into the playoffs,” Schulte tweeted. “You remember Francis Ngannou’s fight against Derrick Lewis, he didn’t throw six punches in the whole fight and he wasn’t cut for his performance that night. So, I ask you Francis Ngannou since you protect the rights of the fighters, do you think this decision is correct?”
Raush Manfio’s manager, Brian Butler, also issued a statement condemning the PFL’s controversial decision.
“To make a subjective decision like this from a promoter that stakes its claim in fighter advocacy is just a bad look, in my opinion,” Butler said in a statement sent to MMA Fighting. “Judges make bad calls all the time with less repercussion. Raush and Natan are best friends and have been exclusive training partners for each other for years. Natan is the godfather of Raush’s daughter. To say they know each other’s styles, tricks and techniques inside and out is a gross understatement.
“Situations like bad style matchups and lackluster fights happen in this sport all the time but the unique thing about the PFL and the ‘tournament/point format’ is that it would sort itself out on its own in the end. Our client got half his pay and zero points to move forward in the tournament. This is distasteful and unnecessary.”
Do you believe the PFL was right to suspend Raush Mafio and Natan Schulte for their uninspired performances?
Chael Sonnen is backing the PFL’s decision to suspend Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte after delivering a lackluster performance in their PFL 6 preliminary bout last week. The Professional Fighters League has received a fair amount of backlash for their decision to suspend the American Top Team teammates after a three-round fight that felt more […]