PFL puts 2020 season on hold due to coronavirus pandemic

Add the PFL to the list of promotions putting schedules on hold due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic.

The company’s format of regular season, playoff, and championship rounds, unique to major combat sports, gives it logistical issues similar to those faced by major team sports.

So unlike promotions such as the UFC, Bellator, and ONE, which can simply put fight cards on hold and shuffle fights around until they have the green light to continue, the PFL needs to take into account its league-based timetable.

As such, the company announced Monday that the 2020 season has been placed on hiatus for an indeterminate length.

Here’s the complete statement by PFL CEO Peter Murray:

“The Professional Fighters League is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 global crisis closely and assessing its impact on the PFL 2020 Season.

“The health and safety of our fighters, fans, partners, and league personnel remain our top priority.

“In light of this unprecedented pandemic, we are adjusting our plan for the rest of this year and look forward to starting our next season as soon as it is feasible. We are committed to continuing to evolve and grow the sport of MMA.”

No specific dates had been announced for the 2020 season, but the previous seasons were marked by regular seasons, which began in late spring, playoff rounds starting in early fall, and championship rounds on New Year’s Eve in New York.