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Universal Studios Florida Hosts First Round of PFL World Tournament in April

Universal Studios Florida Hosts First Round of PFL World Tournament in April The PFL has revealed the first four dates for its 2025 World Tournament, which will take place at Universal…

The PFL has revealed the first four dates for its 2025 World Tournament, which will take place at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando. The events are scheduled for April 3, April 11, April 18, and May 1, offering fans an opportunity to experience live MMA action on the backlot of the theme park.

PFL in 2025

The PFL World Tournament is a single-elimination competition featuring eight weight classes: Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Women’s Flyweight.

Sixty-four fighters from around the world will compete over five months to claim the title of PFL Tournament Champion. The format requires fighters to win three consecutive bouts to secure victory, with total prize money exceeding $20 million, including a $500,000 bonus for each champion.

The first round and semi-final matches will consist of three five-minute rounds, while the finals will feature five five-minute rounds. Notably, fighters are now permitted to use elbows during matches.

The main cards for the first four events will air as follows:

April 3: Live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET
April 11: Live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 11:30 p.m. ET
April 18: Live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET
May 1: Live on ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET

The tournament will be broadcast live in the U.S. on ESPN platforms and streamed globally in 190 countries via 20 media partners. Canadian and European audiences can watch the action on DAZN.

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Additional tournament dates and the full roster of competitors will be announced soon. Tickets for these events will be available starting Wednesday, February 19.

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Paul Hughes Graciously Accepts Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Invitation to Dagestan – But on One Condition

Khabib Nurmagomedov might have a new student in his gym. Following a grueling five-round championship battle with Usman Nurmagomedov…

Khabib Nurmagomedov might have a new student in his gym. Following a grueling five-round championship battle with Usman Nurmagomedov in the PFL, Paul Hughes expressed gratitude for a gesture of respect from Khabib Nurmagomedov, who invited the Irish fighter to visit Dagestan.

Paul Hughes Responds to Khabib Nurmagomedov

The legendary former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov, extended the invitation on social media, stating: “Thank you for the fight, @paulhughesmma, and for the experience. I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan, any time you want. Believe me, you will like it, and your arrival will serve as a good example for many young generations.”

Paul Hughes is known for his humility and respect for his opponents. He responded graciously, saying: “Thank you, @TeamKhabib. I have great respect for you, your team, and your nation. I would be honored to take you up on this offer someday and then return the favor in Ireland. But please, only after I get to rematch Usman.”

The exchange follows their highly anticipated championship clash on January 25, 2025, in Dubai, where Usman Nurmagomedov retained the Lightweight Title in the PFL with a majority decision victory. The fight marked the final defense of a Bellator title before the organization’s integration into the PFL.

Paul Hughes Usman Nurmagomedov — 2025 PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, Saturday, Saturday, January, 25, 2025. (Jose Peñuela / PFL)

The bout was a technical and intense contest, with Paul Hughes showcasing sharp striking and solid takedown defense against the undefeated Dagestani champion. Nurmagomedov’s superior grappling and composure under pressure ultimately secured his victory, extending his record to an impressive 19-0. Judges scored the fight 48-46, 48-46, and 47-47 in favor of Nurmagomedov.

The fight featured several dramatic moments, including point deductions for accidental groin strikes and a head clash that left Hughes bloodied. Despite falling short, Hughes earned widespread praise for his performance and immediately called for a rematch in his home of Northern Ireland.

Paul Hughes Khabib Nurmagomedov Usman Nurmagomedov 2 — 2025 PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, Saturday, Saturday, January, 25, 2025. (Jose Peñuela / PFL)

The mutual respect between the Nurmagomedov family and Hughes highlights the sportsmanship that remains at the heart of MMA. While Hughes’ primary focus remains on earning a rematch with Usman, the prospect of visiting Dagestan adds another layer of intrigue to this rivalry. This has been considered an extension of the Ireland vs. Dagestan epic clash that began with the unforgettable rivalry between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Paul Hughes Khabib Nurmagomedov Usman Nurmagomedov — 2025 PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series: at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE, Saturday, Saturday, January, 25, 2025. (Jose Peñuela / PFL)

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

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

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.”

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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.

Lewis McGrillen Brutally Knocks Out Alexander Luster To Earns PFL Bantamweight Title

England’s Lewis McGrillen faced Germany’s Alexander Luster in the PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship final with $100,000 on the line….

England’s Lewis McGrillen faced Germany’s Alexander Luster in the PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship final with $100,000 on the line. It ended with a brutal overhand knockout courtesy of England’s McGrillen.

PFL Europe Bantamweight Championship Set: Lewis McGrillen vs. Alexander Luster

Lewis McGrillen has impressed throughout the tournament with his knockout power and pace. The English standout delivered a highlight-reel KO in the semi-finals against Germany’s Dean Garnett. He was a replacement for Khurshed Kakhorov. McGrillen’s style and finishing ability have made him one of the tournament’s most exciting fighters.

Luster, representing Germany, has relied on his grappling expertise to carve a path to the final. He earned a submission victory over France’s Julien Pierre Lopez in the semi-finals and repeated the feat against England’s Dominique Wooding in the quarter-finals. With his ability to capitalize on any mistake, Luster has proven to be a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division.

Both fighters successfully made weight at 134.9 lbs, confirming the bout for one of the most anticipated showdowns of the tournament. Early in the first round, McGrillen made it clear how much power he had in his hands. Nearly every strike that landed ended in a knockdown. A bloodied Luster looked to use body kicks on the open side to keep his opponent off, but McGrillen kept throwing and landing heavy punches.

In the second round, a massive overhand landed and Alexander Luster went down hard. A second-round knockout earns the victory, and $100,000, for the PFL Europe Bantamweight title.

Jakub Kaszuba Pounds Out Connor Hughes with Elbows for PFL Lightweight Title “Give me more elbows!”

Jakub Kaszuba and Connor Hughes met in the PFL Europe finals with the lightweight title on the line alongside…

Jakub Kaszuba and Connor Hughes met in the PFL Europe finals with the lightweight title on the line alongside $100,000. After a rough first few rounds, Kaszuba reversed his fate and won the match with a barrage of elbows.

PFL Europe Lightweight Championship: Jakub Kaszuba vs. Connor Hughes

The knockout striker Kaszuba has displayed impressive consistency throughout the tournament, utilizing his precision and endurance to secure back-to-back unanimous decision victories. The Polish fighter defeated Kane Mousah in the semi-finals and Aleksandr Chizov of Latvia in the quarter-finals, showcasing his ability to outlast tough opponents.

Connor Hughes, representing England, has taken a more explosive path to the final. He delivered a stunning KO against Germany’s Anatolij Baal in the semi-finals and followed it with a dominant unanimous decision win over Spain’s Ignacio Capella in the quarter-finals. Known for his knockout power and aggressive striking, Hughes was looking to continue his momentum in the championship bout.

Poland’s Jakub Kaszuba squared off against England’s Connor Hughes in the PFL Europe Lightweight Championship final. Both fighters successfully hit the mark on the scale, with Kaszuba weighing in at 154.5 lbs and Hughes at 154.7 lbs. England’s Hughes controlled the early rounds with a striking masterclass, even scoring knockdowns. In round three, Kaszuba controlled the round from the top position on the ground. This began to spell the beginning of the end.

In the fourth round, Jakub Kaszuba secured a double leg and stayed on top landing ground and pound, bringing down elbows, until the referee waved on the fight. Jakub Kaszuba takes the PFL Europe Lightweight 2024 Title by fourth-round TKO. He has now done it two years in a row. In the post-fight interview, he declared, “Give me more elbows!”

Florim Zendeli Captures $100,000 with a first round Rear-Naked Choke in the PFL Finals “It’s easy.”

Italy’s Daniele Miceli faced Albania’s Florim Zendeli in the highly anticipated PFL Europe Welterweight Championship bout. Both fighters successfully…

Italy’s Daniele Miceli faced Albania’s Florim Zendeli in the highly anticipated PFL Europe Welterweight Championship bout. Both fighters successfully made weight at 169.9 lbs, to determine the division’s tournament champion and walk away with $100,000.

PFL Europe Welterweight Championship: Daniele Miceli vs. Florim Zendeli

Daniele Miceli has been a standout throughout the tournament, utilizing his skillset to dominate his opponents. The Italian fighter advanced to the final after a TKO victory over Ibrahima Mané in the semi-finals and a submission win over France’s Yassin Najid in the quarter-finals.

Florim Zendeli, representing Albania, has shown remarkable grit and determination on his road to the final. He secured a split decision win over England’s Jack Grant in the semi-finals after submitting Poland’s Tomasz ?angowski in the opening round of the tournament.

After trading heavy punches, the aggressive Florim Zendeli secured a takedown and got his hooks in. He earned a first-round submission win using a rear-naked choke to earn the PFL Europe Welterweight world title. In his post-fight interview, he said he wants to compete in the PFL stateside for $1,000,000 next. Walking the audience through how he won via submission he said, “It’s easy.”