Bellator MMA, as followers understand it went away in 2023.
Poor administration and disinterest from Paramount World led to the model being picked up by the Skilled Fighters League (PFL). The roster of fighters from what was lengthy thought of the quantity two promotion subsequent to the UFC was going to get their very own “Champions Sequence,” which began with a PFL vs. Bellator occasion to showcase the model underneath the PFL’s umbrella.
Bellator fighters crushed it in that occasion with all however one in every of them profitable in opposition to their new proprietor’s champions.
PFL and Bellator occasions went on for a lot of the starting of the yr, although most followers complained about not realizing about them and after they have been taking place.
Bellator’s closing occasion earlier than the PFL acquired them was in Chicago. At Bellator 301, Patrick “Patchy” Combine received the bantamweight title from Sergio Pettis. Combine is in his prime, profitable the title at 31 years previous, he has a chance to etch his identify as probably the greatest in his weight class– so long as he can struggle.
Combine final defended his bantamweight title in Paris, however the PFL has seemingly shelved him.
He voiced his frustrations on social media, writing, “I’ve been coaching my ass off for the final half of yr for nothing. That is irritating within the prime of my profession and I’ve had my struggle in November canceled? Then now once more I’m being informed I’m off January Dubai card? I’m the most effective on this planet and I wish to struggle to show it.”
Days earlier than that, the present Gentle Heavyweight Champion, Corey Anderson posted, “Growing older like heat cheese over right here ready for PFL to offer me a name.”
Present Featherweight Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire chimed in, sharing his frustrations as properly, writing, “I haven’t fought since February. I needed to struggle 3x this yr, however I used to be informed I’d have to attend till December thirty first and discovered on-line my opponent would struggle another person. Then that they had a substitute, I convey individuals over, spend extra money with the camp, and there’s no struggle.”
“Time is of the essence on this sport; we are able to’t waste our primes on the sidelines.” – Leandro Higo
His publish was in response to his teammate, Leandro Higo’s publish who thought he was subsequent in line to face Combine for the bantamweight title. He added, “That is very irritating. We’ve no clue about once we is perhaps preventing after two struggle cancellations in a row. Time is of the essence on this sport; we are able to’t waste our primes on the sidelines.”
PFL/Bellator occasions have been canceled in Chicago and Paris with no cause given to ticket holders. Simply an provide for a “purchase one, get one” alternative for the subsequent PFL occasion.
Time is crucial asset a fighter has, the “sport” Higo refers to is unkind to aged fighters who keep in it for too lengthy. Fighters have to struggle, if the fights can’t be supplied, then they need to be free to pursue these fights elsewhere.
In the event you click on on the PFL’s “about” web page, underneath “neighborhood,” it says, “Within the Skilled Fighters League, we ask ‘What Do You Battle For?’”
They’ve an entire listing of champions and challengers who’re attempting to reply that query, but it surely seems to be like they want solutions themselves.
