Add Ali
Isaev to the list of fighters who is unhappy with Professional
Fighters League’s decision to
suspend its entire season until 2021.
Isaev, who earned a $1 million prize as the PFL’s 2019 champion,
revealed to RT
Sport that he would prefer that the organization release him so
he can fight elsewhere before the conclusion of 2020. Isaev turns
37 in December and acknowledges that he has a limited time left to
compete, which is why he would like to remain as active as
possible.
“I’ll be 37 soon. That’s why I wanted the PFL either to give me a
fight or let me go, so that I can fight in other promotions before
the end of the year,” he said. “Because I can’t wait and take a big
break, I want to compete. Time goes by and I have to find new
opportunities to make a statement and fight against the top
guys.”
While PFL
cut a number of fighters following its announcement, those that
remain under contract are supposed to receive a monthly cash
stipend to support them for the remainder of the year. That stipend
is reportedly $1,000 a month, which has put other fighters such as
featherweight Lance
Palmer,
at odds with the PFL.
Isaev, though, doesn’t necessarily have animosity toward the PFL
and he wouldn’t rule out a return if granted his release.
“To be honest, the PFL gave me a chance to make myself known,
they’re a very nice organization,” he said. “If they let me go,
maybe I’ll come back later — why not? That’s where I got my start.
It would be great if they could understand my situation and made a
choice that would work for me. Stability, I need stability.”
Isaev is now 9-0 as a professional following a run through the PFL
playoffs that saw him best Kelvin
Tiller, Denis
Goltsov and Jared
Rosholt. If given the opportunity, the Dagestani heavyweight
would like to test himself in the UFC.
“Of course I’d love to fight in the UFC, if the PFL lets me go,”
Isaev said. “They’re putting on events despite the pandemic. I
think other organizations aren’t putting on such good events now.
Maybe they don’t have the same resources as the UFC, but today I
only see UFC fights. I’d love to fight their top fighters. I’m not
picky, I’ll fight anyone they give me.
“My age doesn’t let me pick an opponent. When you’re young you have
to make the right choices. I saw how many young guys rushed too
much. They were doing well but then stumbled after making the wrong
decision, or they were misadvised. They wanted a fast rise to
stardom. We have this saying, ‘He who makes haste makes everyone
laugh.’ But I’m already 9-0, I don’t really need to gain
experience. I have to do my job. Whatever happens, happens, but
we’ll be working hard with no excuses and striving to win.”