Midnight Mania! PFL Cuts Third Of Roster

MMA News

Midnight Mania! PFL Cuts Third Of Roster

Ryan Loco/PFL

Bringing you the weird and wild from the world of MMA each and every quarantined night!

Welcome to Midnight Mania!

Earlier today, Professional Fighter’s League (PFL) announced that it would suspend its 2020 season as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, hoping to return to action in May. In addition, PFL CEO Peter Murray explained that the athletes on the roster would be receiving a monthly stipend.

There’s an important addendum to that statement: the remaining athletes will receive a stipend. Per FloCombat writer Michael Fiedel, roughly one third of the PFL roster has been released.

MMABrasil explains further that PFL’s strategy is to “keep only the champions of the last edition and relevant fighters” like Rory MacDonald on the roster while releasing the rest. It’s tough to say where exactly that dividing line lies, but it’s probable that many who’ve only competed in the undercard and were not part of past tournaments are no longer on the PFL roster.

Insomnia

“Thug Nasty” has a spot on the hopefully-happening-but-maybe-not May 9th card.

Breaking news: Jordan Burroughs is strong as hell.

I know my boxing history well enough to understand the term “great white hope,” but someone will have to explain this one to me.

I have more faith in this plan of holding the next event in Florida — anything goes down there.

Anthony Johnson is a terrifying individual.

Donald Cerrone lives up to his Red Dead Redemption reputation.

Slips, rips, and KO clips

Both of these submissions were pretty slick, it’s a tough choice!

Heavyweight high kick KOs is a solid topic for a list:

This fight seemed like the dawn of a new era at Heavyweight, Then, we were all brutally reminded that being over-sized isn’t that great of an advantage. There is hope though — Francis Ngannou and Curtis Blaydes are the bigger than most Heavyweights but can still move.

Random Land

Yesterday, my gym buddy and former Olympic weightlifting coach Ben Claridad put forth a monumental effort to accomplish something goofy. At 4:20 P.M. on 4/20/2020, he squatted 420 lbs. for 20 reps. It was awesome:

Midnight Music: I saw this Tweet, and the decision was made.

Sleep well Maniacs! More martial arts madness is always on the way.

https://www.mmamania.com/2020/4/22/21230511/midnight-mania-professional-fighters-league-releases-roster-espn