PFL announces major rule change three days before $1million world championship tournament finals
Today at 12:10 PM
PFL have made a major change to their ruleset with just days to go until their first round of championship fights.
MMA’s number two promotion offers an alternative format for the sport, with their global, European and Middle East/North African season offerings. Fighters compete in a tournament format over a few months, with the winner earning a massive payout.
The global winners pocket $1million, while regional winners gets $100,000. But to win that seven-figure payout, one must win four fights between April and November, which means an almost year-long training camp.
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PFL confirms massive change to rules for tournament finals
For years, part of the PFL tournament format has been that fighters are not allowed to utilize elbows. This is ostensibly to prevent cuts and injuries that could force competitors to be given medical suspensions outlasting the gap between fights.
Given that the tournament happens with four fights between April and November, the average time for turnaround is just a few weeks. But there have always been questions about what would stop elbows being allowed for the finals, which don’t have any deadlines following.
Now, the promotion have confirmed that they are taking this suggestion on board and will introduce elbows for this Friday’s championship event. Elbows have always been legal in showcase undercard bouts, but now all of the title fights on the night will allow them as well.
PFL Championships take place in Riyadh on Friday night
On Friday night, there will be a massive slate of 16 fights in Riyadh, with a series of world title bouts across the MENA and Global PFL seasons set. There are six global title fights, with a further four MENA fights.
The final two competitors in the Heavyweight, Light-heavyweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, and Women's Flyweight divisions are competing for the $1million prize, as well as the 2024 PFL world title.
In addition, PFL MENA's inaugural season is reaching its conclusion and four champions will also be crowned in the Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, and Bantamweight divisions. PFL MENA is creating a pathway for athletes from the region to compete in the PFL Global Season.
All Championship bouts for both the Global Season and PFL MENA will be five, five-minute rounds, and for the first time in the history of the PFL Championships, the rule set will now allow elbows.
