In the 2nd half of last year, there were rumblings going on about PFL potentially acquiring Bellator and thus creating a legitimate powerhouse that could possibly rival the power and influence of the UFC. On November 20th, it was official.
A project that sees PFL now having the same amount of top ranked fighters in the world, as the premier MMA organization – UFC. This was according to Donn Davis, the founder and chairman of PFL.
We were all wondering if there is truly a possibility for any promotion to go up against the UFC, which has been the absolute standard in the world of mixed martial arts, for years and years. The first step in testing that potential will be a Saudi Arabia supercard, on February 24th 2024. Live, on ESPN+ PPV.
From a heavyweight clash between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader, then a battle of welterweight champions Magomedkerimov and Jackson, plus other champion vs champion bouts and a great preliminary card featuring the return of Claressa Shields – this one is going to be a banger!
New big player in the world of MMA – Can PFL compete with the UFC?
For a very long time now, the UFC stands as (by far) the number 1 MMA organization of them all. The fans and analysts wondered if there’s a chance for any promotion to have their say and challenge Dana White and co. Throughout the years, it was shown to us that all of those: Bellator, PFL, ONE were having some great ideas, with a solid roster of fighters, but something was missing and the gap was just too wide.
Now, it seems to be edging closer. PFL stood as a solid promotion with its unique system of competition (PFL’s regular season and then playoffs), with many great, advanced technological solutions and innovations. But what was missing for them, was definitely a big, diverse pool of talented fighters and of course – the juggernaut promotional power that the number 1 boys have.
Now having that roster and getting ready to promote the supercard that will go down in the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, this card will serve as a good tester for PFL to see the numbers, especially the PPV. Other than this huge announcement, PFL has shown to be working on several huge projects across the board.
Some of those being a partnership with the YouTube sensation, now-turned professional fighter, Jake Paul. That partnership will look to build a super-division in PFL, with details about it yet to be revealed. The organization had also signed the former UFC heavyweight king (who had never lost the belt inside the octagon) – Francis Ngannou.
With PFL Europe up and running and PFL Africa having huge plans and potential about it – we can see that the organization is wasting no time in 2024. Going global is definitely the plan for them this year.
However, if we are completely honest – the question about PFL now being a legitimate threat to the UFC is just up in the air and a speculation. UFC is still a long distance away from anyone and it’s up to the PFL to have a huge 2024. and show that they belong in this conversation.
PFL PPV supercard: Whole card revealed and fights listed
As mentioned prior, the essence of the PFL x Bellator supercard will be champion vs champion matchups, with some interesting additions to it. The card contains 12 fights and will have a 7-fight main card + 5 preliminary bouts. It stands as this:
Main card:
– Renan Ferreira vs Ryan Bader – Heavyweight champ vs champ
– Impa Kasanganay vs Johnny Eblen – Middleweight champ vs champ
– Magomed Magomedkerimov vs Jason Jackson – Welterweight champ vs champ
– Jesus Pinedo vs Patricio Pitbull – Featherweight champ vs champ
– Bruno Capelozza vs Vadim Nemkov (c) – Heavyweight bout
– Thiago Santos vs Yoel Romero – Light Heavyweight
– Clay Collard vs AJ McKee – Lightweight
Prelims:
– Gabriel Braga vs Aaron Pico – Featherweight
– Baggio Ali Walsh vs Chris Morris – Lightweight
– Claressa Shields vs Kelsey DeSantis – Women’s Lightweight
– Abdulah Al-Qahtani vs Edukondal Rao – Featherweight
– Malik Basahel vs Vinicius Pereira – Amateur Flyweight
