Lance Palmer, Justin Willis & Brendan Loughnane among fighters to request their release from PFL
Multiple Professional Fighters League fighters have requested their release from the promotion.
When the COVID-19 pandemic took full effect in North America, the sports world was forced to shut down. Yet, the UFC returned in May. Since then promotions like Bellator, LFA, Titan FC, and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship have also started to put on events. But, one promotion in PFL canceled their season and released a bunch of their roster. They did offer a monthly stipend for fighters due to the fact they won’t be fighting in 2020.
However, it appears multiple fighters are not happy with that and have requested their release from the PFL.
Two-time featherweight champion, Lance Palmer spoke to ESPN to voice his frustration with the promotion and saying he wants to take legal action.
“I feel like legal action has to be taken against them at this point,” Palmer said. “And it’s unfortunate because I’ve had their back since before anyone even thought they were going to have their $1 million paydays.”
Since Palmer stepped forward, prominent MMA manager, Malki Kawa took to social media to say he too has told PFL to release his clients in Justin Willis and Brendan Loughnane.
I’ve also requested the release for @Brendan264 and @BigPrettyMMA and have stayed quiet about it. I will be filing suit next week as talks have stalled at the @ProFightLeague
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) July 25, 2020
“I’ve also requested the release for (Brendan Loughnane) and (Justin Willis) and have stayed quiet about it. I will be filing suit next week as talks have stalled at the Professional Fighters League,” he wrote.
Kawa then said he also declined the monthly stipend.
Our issues are also related to the cancelling of the season and I also have declined the 1000 a month stipend for both of my clients.
— malki kawa (@malkikawa) July 25, 2020
“Our issues are also related to the canceling of the season and I also have declined the 1000 a month stipend for both of my clients,” he added.
Heavyweight, Mohammed Usman, the brother of Kamaru, is also now back with Titan FC. So, it appears he was released from the PFL.
In the PFL, Lance Palmer is currently 11-0 where he won the first two seasons and is arguably the face of the promotion.
Justin Willis, meanwhile, is a UFC veteran and was set to make his PFL debut this season. In the UFC, he went 4-1 but was released following his lone loss to Curtis Blaydes. Brendan Loughnane, meanwhile, was someone many thought Dana White should’ve signed after his performance on the Contender Series. 2020 was expected to be his first full season in PFL. But, he did go 2-0 in the promotion in non-tournament fights.
Whether or not PFL will release these fighters is unknown at this time.