His sole reason for existing is to make Dana seem less goofy.
Here we are two years later following the purchase of Bellator, what has that purchase done for the PFL, and what are the plans for 2025?
“PFL was already the No. 2 company in MMA by revenue, by distribution, by audience. What the Bellator acquisition did for us was fighters. It was all about adding fighter talent. So right now out of the top 300 fighters in the world by fight matrix, UFC has 175. And PFL, the combined roster, has 100. So, there’s only 25 fighters in every other organization in the world in the top 300. So, it was very important for us to consolidate all the best fighters in the world who are not in the UFC. The is what the Bellator acquisition did for us.”
“What that sets up for 2025? Great news for fans. The fight products will be even more exciting. We’ve now had nine months to plan, how to deploy the fighters, and how to match fighters to the products. Remember we have two kinds of products. Champion series, which are one-off events, where you can matchmake. And the PFL season or tournament, where meritocracy wins and advance. Now we have this complete roster. Totally combined. Top fighters, where do they go? How do fans enjoy them? That is what 2025 is all about.”
Many fans were waiting patiently for the return of Francis Ngannou after his unceremonious exit from the UFC. Now that Ngannou came roaring back during the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants - Ngannou vs. Ferreira event in October, what did his big win mean for MMA in general, and for the PFL.
What has Francis Ngannou’s return done for the PFL and MMA in general?
“For MMA in general, Francis is beloved. Francis’ story is universal. The one of escape from nothing, escape all odds, to start your life. This is like a real-world Rocky story time 100. We all can empathize with that story, and for him to go through the tragedies he has with his son. For him to break free from the UFC, only adds on to that mystery, only adds on to that journey. And none of us knew, maybe even Francis didn’t know. With a three-year layoff, what would it be like? He went up against the No. 5 ESPN heavyweight. He went against a 6-foot-8 knockout artist and he destroyed him in 90 seconds. So, for all of us in MMA it was ‘Wow! Francis Ngannou, he is the baddest man on the planet!’ So, anybody who doubted it, wasn’t sure, he still has it. He is the No. 1 man in the world. So, it was thrilling for MMA. For PFL, he’s here. He’s not anywhere else. He’s here. So, when people start to say ‘Hey, I got two great places to watch MMA. PFL and the other guys,’ that’s real. Whether it’s Francis Ngannou, whether it’s Dakota, the fastest rising women’s star in the world. Whether it’s Paul Hughes, cmon. Whether it’s Cédric Doumbé, this is a place where the PFL is empowering fighters and giving fans some really exciting fights.”
This guy has no fucking clue what he is doing. Why purchase Bellator if you are going to freeze their top fighters like ONE does?