Douglas Lima Signs A New PFL – But Will The PFL Go Out Of Business?
Ex-Bellator Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima has signed a new deal with the PFL.
Lima has not fought since beating Costello van Steenis last year, which ended his four-fight losing streak. Following the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator last year, there were high hopes for the promotion. The PFL held its first event in Saudi Arabia this year with the PFL vs. Bellator Champs card.
Cris CyborgWith the likes of Cris Cyborg, Lima and A.J. McKee under their stable, there were hopes the PFL could rival the UFC. But Cyborg spoke out against the PFL, becoming frustrated at not having a fight booked. She is expected to face Larissa Pacheco in September. However, no date has been finalized, leaving Cyborg and Pacheco frustrated.
Cyborg Speaks Out
Cyborg has not had an MMA fight since beating Cat Zingano last October at Bellator 300. Since then, Cyborg has had a boxing fight with Kelsey Wickstrum, beating her in January. She will have another boxing fight on June 15 in London before a potential fight with Pacheco.
“Right now I’m ready, I’m healthy, I want to fight. I’ve been training every day. I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to fight. They [PFL] say a lot of different dates. I accepted a fight with Kayla Harrison, it was supposed to be in February but it didn’t happen. You guys know the reason already, because she signed with UFC. And then they said maybe I’m going to fight Larissa Pacheco in September. I’m ready. I’m ready, I’m healthy. Maybe I’m going to fight one boxing fight before MMA,” Cyborg stated
Gegard Mousasi was also released after he considered suing the promotion. Mousasi alleged the PFL had cut communication with him, suggesting they were not seeking to honor his Bellator contract.
“If someone don’t want me, I’m like, ‘OK.., I go,’ but my team around me is like…we sue them’. So, if it was up to me, I would just go. But I don’t know, we’ll see. The team around me is not that happy. So, I think it’s gonna be legal actions against them. Yeah, [I feel disrespected] because they don’t even wanna pick up their phone and just talk to us. It’s not even funny anymore. It’s the worst organization so far. I fought for a lot of organizations, this is the worst one,” Mousasi revealed
Lima’s Deal
Lima also claimed that he was being sidelined. Donn Davis reassured fans that it was only 5-10 percent of fighters whose future needed addressing.
“Last guy I beat is fighting for the belt now. Solid win Costello great job. I’m on the sidelines for a year now, what heard was my purse was too “high” and PFL didn’t want to pay and honor my last fight on my contract. So yeaaa,” Lima stated
The PFL has now announced that Lima has signed a multi-year fight deal. While Donn Davis has assured fans that the PFL will be able to compete with the best following their merger with Bellator, the jury is still out on that.
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