Although the UFC has dominated the MMA financial market since Pride's bankruptcy in 2007, for many fighters it is still possible to have a good professional life outside of Dana White's domain. Thus, three athletes 'snubbed' by the Ultimate have the chance to significantly improve their bank accounts this Friday (29) on the PFL 2024 finals card, which will feature changes in the rules.
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Unlike the UFC, in the PFL, champions are crowned each year. Season winners are awarded a $1 million prize (R$5,8 million at the current exchange rate). Amidst the many complaints regarding the pay of athletes, the opportunity to win the big prize could be a turning point for many fighters.
Among the blessed is the Brazilian Taila Santos. The flyweight (up to 56,7 kg.) gained notoriety in the sport in 2022, when facing Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC title. After a very close fight, she lost by split decision. The fighter from Santa Catarina later left the organization and signed with the PFL in March of this year. Now, she faces the undefeated Dakota Ditcheva for the season's title in the co-main event.
T. Santos (left) fighting V. Shevchenko in UFC 275. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @tailasantos.ufc
Taila Santos isn't the only one finding success outside the Dana White bubble
In the main attraction of the night, the British Brendan Loughnane and the Russian Timur Khizriev compete for the featherweight belt (up to 65,7 kg). With 14 fights under his belt and the title for the 2022 season, Loughnane is very experienced in the organization, but he gained fame among MMA fans for another reason. In 2019, the fighter participated in the Dana White Contender Series and even with the victory against Bill Algeo, was not hired. At the time, the UFC CEO strongly criticized the athlete for applying a takedown in the final moments of the fight instead of seeking an interruption.
Brendan Loughnane was the featherweight champion in the PFL. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
No less important, the event also features the presence of Impa Kasanganay. The American competed in the UFC between 2020 and 2021, after earning his spot via the Contender Series, still as a welterweight (up to 77,1 kg). There, he became famous for a not-so-pleasant reason, when he suffered the 2021 knockout of the year against Joaquin buckley.
Joaquin buckley STILL holds the top spot for the sickest knockout I've ever seen.
Colby's going to have his hands full next month. @Newmansa94 pic.twitter.com/uOiVMOvepD
— MMA CHICK♀️ (@MMACHICK_) November 24, 2024
Last year, the fighter signed a contract with the PFL and permanently changed weight classes, moving to light heavyweight (up to 93 kg). Thus, Kasanganay became the champion of the tournament in 2023 and won the million-dollar prize. Now, he has the chance to win the title once again against Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov.
Impa Kasanganay celebrates the PFL title (Photo: Instagram)
Check out the full card for the PFL finals this Friday (29)
main card
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg.): Timur Khizriev x Brendan Loughnane
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Dakota Ditcheva x Taila Santos
Light heavyweight (up to 93 kg): Impa Kasanganay vs Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg.): Shamil Musaev x Magomed Umatulov
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg.): Brent Primus x Gadzhi Rabadanov
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Denis Goltsov vs Oleg Popov
Preliminary Card – PFL Mena
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Abdelrahman Alhyasat x Abdullah Al-Qahtani
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg.): Mohammad Alaqraa vs. Omar El Dafrawy
Atom weight (up to 47,7 kg.): Hattan Alsaif x Lilia Osmani
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg.): Ali Taleb x Rachid El Hazoume
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Mohsen Mohammadseifi vs Georges Eid
Read More about: Brendan Loughnane, Dana White, PFL Finals, Impa Kasanganay, PFL, Taila Santos
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