UFC Jacksonville Fallout & PFL Controversy: MMA News & Notes For 6/24/23
– Ilia Topuria wants a featherweight title shot or a fight with Max Holloway in Spain:
“I’m the next guy in the line,” Topuria said after UFC Jacksonville (transcript via Nolan King & Danny Segura of MMA Junkie). “I can wait. One of the best skills that I have is the patience. If they offer me to fight with Max Holloway in Spain, let’s do it. If not, I’m going to wait for my title fight. That’s all.”
– Maycee Barber wants a rematch with UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Alexa Grasso:
“I’ve been saying it time and time again: Whether Alexa wins against Valentina again or not, I do want that rematch,” Barber said at the UFC Jacksonville post-fight news conference (transcript via Mike Bohn & Danny Segura of MMA Junkie). “So, we’ll see. That would be ideal. We’ll see. I’m going to go back and talk to Hunter (Campbell) and Mick (Maynard) and the team, then we’ll figure it out.”
– PFL officials have removed Natan Schulte from the 2023 Playoffs, plus have suspended him and 2023 PFL 6 opponent Raush Manfio for not meeting their contractual standards to fight to the best of their abilities.
The promotion issued the following statement:
PFL Statement on Schulte vs Manfio
Last Night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition.
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.”
It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout.
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.
Here are the updated Lightweight Semifinal Matchups:
#1 Clay Collard vs. #4 Shane Burgos
#2 Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. #3 Bruno Miranda
– UFC Jacksonville Bonuses: David Onama & Maycee Barber ($50,000 each for Performance Of The Night), Ilia Topuria & Josh Emmett ($50,000 each for Fight Of The Night)
