After taking 2020 off due to COVID-19 concerns, Professional
Fighters League is set to return with a full campaign next
year.
The organization announced Tuesday that its format will begin a
month earlier than previous years with a regular season event on
April 23. Other season events will take place on April 29, May 6,
June 10, June 17 and June 25.
The first three regular-season events will allow fighters to
accumulate points, while the final three will determine playoff
seeding. Playoff events will be announced at a later date, though
the PFL Championship will remain on New Year’s Eve as it has in the
past. Winners in each weight class receive a $1 million prize.
“We’re thrilled to announce an early start date for the 2021 PFL
Season and we look forward to building on the positive momentum
experienced in a historic first season on ESPN,” PFL CEO Peter
Murray said.
“In 2021, the PFL will deliver an elevated, immersive, and
interactive fan viewing experience incorporating expanded,
real-time fighter data and analytics from our proprietary SmartCage
technology, in-event gaming and betting, behind-the-scenes access,
the return of ref cam, and more. Our champions return looking to
earn another title, while a fresh crop of exciting new fighters
will challenge for the top spot in MMA. Additional contenders will
be unveiled in the leadup to what we believe will be the biggest
season in PFL history.”
PFL will include returning champions such as Kayla
Harrison and Ray Cooper
III, but the promotion also worked diligently to turn over its
roster and has added new fighters such as Rory
MacDonald, Johnny Case,
Olivier
Aubin-Mercier and Bubba
Jenkins, to name a few.