The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is gearing up for its highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Francis Ngannou and Renan Ferreira this weekend. The promotion, along with its co-founder Donn Davis, has generated significant hype to ensure the event’s success. However, the excitement surrounding the fight could be overshadowed by a recent lawsuit filed against the company.
Gegard Mousasi has recently filed a lawsuit against Bellator and its new owner, PFL. The lawsuit stems from a breach of contract dispute that occurred after PFL’s acquisition of Bellator. Mousasi has claimed that PFL refused to honor his Bellator contract, which included significant financial terms, following the merger. The former UFC fighter revealed after the deal, it became harder for him to contact the owners.
They refuse to answer us back. I’ve been training, I’ve been ready. But like I said, they don’t promote me, or people think I’m retired actually.
Gegard Mousasi via MMA Fighting
Mousasi is a versatile MMA fighter known for his success in promotions like UFC, Bellator, and Strikeforce. Mousasi’s well-rounded skills in striking and grappling have earned him victories over top fighters like Chris Weidman and Rory MacDonald. However, according to the fighter, Bellator has yet to pay him several outstanding amounts, including finish bonuses and promotional fees.
Gegard Mousasi has filed a lawsuit against Bellator and PFL
Full details 📰 pic.twitter.com/LBmnRoDQ32
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) October 17, 2024
On Wednesday, Mousasi filed the lawsuit naming several PFL figures, including co-founder Donn Davis, CEO Peter Murray, and matchmaker Mike Kogan. Mousasi is seeking an overall compensation of about $15 million, which could be a major upset for the company. While Davis boasts and compares his PFL roster with UFC, this isn’t a good look for the Co-founder.
PFL Co-founder asks for suggestions from Mike Tyson about his fighters
PFL was started by Donn Davis and his partners in 2018 and has since grown into one of the top MMA promotions in the world. Former UFC fighters such as Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum, etc., have been signed up for the promotion. However, the biggest signing was none other than former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
Donn Davis was always focused on making PFL the biggest competitor of UFC but with few upgrades. Unlike UFC, Davis wanted the PFL to be a ‘fighters first league.’ During a conversation with the legendary Mike Tyson, Davis asked the former boxer for some suggestions, and Tyson was eager to share.
A fighter has to be pushed. You have to put fire behind him and f**** burn his a** for the best to come out of him. You can’t be f****** treating him like a baby, you can pamper him.
Mike Tyson via Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson
How do you build a fighting league that makes the best fighters? The PFL’s Co-Founder and Chairman Donn Davis and President Ray Sefo drop in to tell us they’re coming for Dana White and the UFC. Don’t miss PFL 4, Tomorrow July 11th on ESPN2 pic.twitter.com/A7hHsEuwns
— Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson (@hotboxinpodcast) July 11, 2019
UFC is undeniably the largest MMA promotion globally, and CEO Dana White remains unphased by the PFL’s efforts. He showed little concern when the PFL acquired Bellator and criticized the PFL for struggling to sell tickets. Given the current landscape, it will take much longer for the PFL to threaten the UFC’s dominance.
