Natan Schulte won’t be in the 2023 PFL playoffs after all.
Less than 12 hours after Schulte (25-5-1) defeated Raush Manfio (17-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at 2023 PFL 6 and clinched a playoff spot in the process, the promotion announced his removal from the postseason and both fighters’ suspensions for the remainder of the season.
“Last night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition,” a PFL press release Saturday said. “All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements agree to use their “best efforts … skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete … and defeat any opponent.”
The bout in question took place Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta on the event’s preliminary card. For the majority of three rounds, Schulte and Manfio were hesitant to engage. The two are close friends and training partners.
“It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout,” the promotion said. “PFL immediately suspended both fighters from the season and deemed the fight to have 0 points for purposes of League standings. PFL takes this action in recognition of its responsibility to all PFL fighters and all PFL fans.”
As a result, Shane Burgos (16-4) will slide into a playoff slot and take on Clay Collard (23-10), who previously clinched the No. 1 seed. Olivier Aubin-Mercier (19-5) and Bruno Miranda (16-3) man the other side of the four-man playoff bracket.
OFFICIAL: Revised matchups are set for the Lightweight Semifinals#PFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/FNVTSLLxVu
— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 24, 2023
The unusual nature of Friday’s fight gained much attention from fans and even other PFL lightweights prior to the announcement Saturday,
2022 PFL lightweight champion Aubin-Mercier, who defeated Anthony Romero in the card’s main event, questioned if the promotion should have two fighters from the same gym compete in the same weight division.
“It was really weird,” Aubin-Mercier said (via BestFightPicks). “I have to be very clear. I understand 100 percent if I was going to fight my best friend. … It would be a fight like this. But at the same time, it’s unfair to anybody else. I think it showed PFL. When I said I wanted PFL to be better, I think it showed maybe we shouldn’t put two people of the same gym in the same category. This stuff can happen.
Olivier Aubin Mercier Thinks The Schulte/Manfio Fight Was Fixed https://t.co/b8mJoZOG4C#PFL6 #PFLATL #PFL @oliaubin pic.twitter.com/5NuvONb1zR
— Dan (@BestFightPicks) June 24, 2023
MMA Junkie reached out Saturday to the George Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC), which oversaw the event. The story will be updated to reflect comment if/when it is received.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL 2023, Week 6.
