Editor’s note: The views and opinions expressed below are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sherdog.com, its affiliates and sponsors or its parent company, Evolve Media.
The Professional Fighters League knew that change was needed coming into 2025. The company listened to and read critics who had suggestions about the roster, spokespersons and the structure of the promotion.
The first order of business was to alter the format, switching from the regular-season, points-style approach it had followed for years to a single-elimination tournament. The PFL would put together tournaments in eight separate weight classes—the company added the bantamweight division—and award each tournament winner $500,000, down from the $1 million prize of season’s past.