“I actually was waiting to see if I was in the tournament in the beginning of the year. Things changed and then I got this opportunity to fight Paul,” Miranda told Cageside Press.

“I think it was beginning of March I knew they got the offer and they were like, ‘Ok you might fight Paul.’ Which (made) me very happy with the opportunity to fight Paul now.”

Miranda (17-5) snapped a two-fight losing streak when he beat Patricky Pitbull by split decision in 2024. At that time the regular season format was still used by the promotion. They’ve changed to a tournament-only format it’s to be seen how active someone like Miranda will be.

“After I beat Paul they need to put me to fight. All the focus (is) on this right now and I’m looking forward (to) what is after that. I’m sure they’re going to have something good for me after I get all the hype that Paul has,” said Miranda.

It’s not just a fight against one of the biggest names, if not the biggest name in PFL, but in his home country of Ireland. It’ll be Miranda vs. Hughes and everybody in Ireland when he makes his way to the cage.

“I’m used to that. Most of my MMA career I’ve done international fights. Fighting in my opponent’s house like Korea, China, I mean America, Europe,” he said.

“I’m very excited because you know the Irish crowd loves a big fight like the Brazilians. I don’t see a problem for me, but they’re going to love me after the fight.”

Miranda isn’t sure how the fight will end, but he knows one thing. He’ll emerge victorious in Belfast.

“I’m going to fight to the last second to get this win. Doesn’t matter how it’s going to come,” he said.

“Striking, submission, points. I put my soul in this fight and I’ll show up with my best version.”

Watch the entire interview with Bruno Miranda above. He takes on Paul Hughes at PFL Europe 1 on May 10th.

The post Bruno Miranda Coming To Take Hughes Hype In Belfast appeared first on Cageside Press.

In a press release distributed Wednesday, Professional Fighters League officials announced that Hardy will serve as Head of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe.

Hardy, a former UFC title challenger, had worked for that promotion on the broadcast side, but parted ways with the company after hitting a rocky patch that included a verbal spat with ref Herb Dean during a live event, and a dispute with a fellow employee.

“The Outlaw” dropped out of active competition in 2013 after being diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, though he later announced he had been cleared to return in 2018. Despite that, Hardy has not fought since a 2012 victory against Amir Sadollah.

“I’m excited to be taking on the role as Head of Fighter Operations for PFL Europe. This will allow me to bring together the best MMA prospects from around the region, and give each of them an opportunity to establish themselves as world class talent. PFL Europe will bring stability to the opportunities available to European MMA athletes, and I’m honoured to be able to play a role in that process,” Hardy was quoted as saying in Wednesday’s press release.

The inaugural PFL Europe season kicks off in Newcastle, England on March 25.

The post UFC Vet Dan Hardy Announced at PFL Europe Head of Fighter Operations appeared first on Cageside Press.

The 26-year old fighting out of the Netherlands will make his promotional debut for the Professional Fighters League later this month as part of the PFL Europe card in Newcastle, England on March 25.

Past that, Amine (5-1 MMA, 24-3-1 KB) has also booked his debut with GLORY Kickboxing, which will come on April 29, 2023 at GLORY 85. Amine, with 12 KOs to his name across his kickboxing career, with face off with GLORY veteran Michael Duut (44-13 KB).

A source familiar with the booking confirmed the promotion’s plans to Cageside Press on Monday. No location or venue has officially been announced for the GLORY 85 card, but the event is expected to be held on Dutch soil.

Amine, who made the jump to mixed martial arts in 2021, is expected to continue competing in both sports, shared between the PFL and GLORY.

GLORY 85 is also expected to feature a four-man, one-night heavyweight tournament with the winner moving on to face Croatian star Antonio Plazibat for the GLORY interim heavyweight title. The winner of the tournament will also secure a spot in the GLORY Heavyweight Grand Prix which takes place this December. The eight-man one-night tournament sees $500,000 awaiting the winner.

The post PFL Light Heavyweight Mo Amine Books GLORY Debut on April 29 appeared first on Cageside Press.

The European arm of the promotion will be comprised of four weight classes, made up of light heavyweight, lightweight, bantamweight, and women’s flyweight.

Currently, the PFL proper does not feature a bantamweight or women’s flyweight division. Sources familiar with the situation have told Cageside Press that the plan is to introduce a women’s flyweight division in 2024, however, nothing has been officially announced at this time.

In a press release announcing the roster on Tuesday, PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo stated that “PFL Europe will see the best in MMA action in a true season format, where fighters must win to advance.”

Among the fighters taking part are top women’s flyweight prospect Dakota Ditcheva, Norwegian light heavyweight Kenneth Bergh, former Bellator banatmweight Frans Mlambo, and ex-Cage Warriors bantamweight champ Dominque Wooding.

The full roster as announced on Tuesday can be found below. Match-ups for PFL Europe, which kicks off in Newcastle, England next month, have yet to be announced. At the end of the four-event season, champions will take home $100,000 and have a chance to earn a spot on the league’s main roster.

Men’s Light Heavyweight division:

• Simeón Powell (UK)
• Mohamed Amine (Holland)
• Kenneth Bergh (Norway)
• Jakob Nedoh (Slovenia)
• Anthony Salamone (France)
• Daniel Ladero (Spain)
• Damien Remy (France)

Women’s Flyweight division:

• Dakota Ditcheva (UK)
• Clara Riciguolo (France)
• Griet Eechkout (Belgium)
• Mafalda Carmona (Portugal)
• Cornelia Holm (Sweden)
• Marta Waliczek (Poland)
• Lizzy Gevers (Holland)
• Valentina Scatizzi (Italy)

 Men’s Bantamweight division:

• Ali Taleb (Sweden)
• Dominique Wooding (UK)
• Francesco Nuzzi (Italy)
• Frans Mlambo (Ireland)
• Farbod Iran Nezhad (Germany)
• Kenji Bortoluzzi (Switzerland)
• Khurshed Kakhorov (Germany)
• Mokthar Benkaci (France)

Men’s Lightweight division:

• Acoidan Duque (Spain)
• Aleksandr Chizov (Latvia)
• Connor Hughes (UK)
• Dylan Tuke (Ireland)
• Geysim Derouiche (France)
• John Mitchell (Ireland)
• Rodu Maxim (Italy)
• Jakub Kaszuba (Poland)

The post PFL Europe Announces Full 2023 Roster, Includes Four Weight Classes appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Thursday, Professional Fighters League officials announced the PFL Europe schedule via press release. The four dates set to go down include stops in Ireland, France, Germany, and England, and are set to highlight the promotion’s European talent.

The dates/locations expected to make up the 2023 schedule are as follows:

• Saturday, March 25 – Newcastle, UK – Vertu Motors Arena (Regular Season)
• Saturday, July 8 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall (Regular Season)
• Saturday, September 30 – Paris, France – Zenith Paris La Villette (Playoffs)
• Friday, December 8 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena (Final)

In an interesting and lucrative twist on the Professional Fighters League format, the four events will comprise a tournament that will reward each winner $100,000 and potentially a spot in the league’s full regular season the following year. Four weight classes will take part, with a champion crowned in each. 32 fighters will compete.

“PFL Europe’s inaugural season schedule is set, and MMA fans in 2023 will experience Europe’s best MMA fighters competing in the PFL’s true sport format live on DAZN,” said Professional Fighters League CEO Peter Murray in Thursday’s press release. “PFL Europe Regular Season events will be staged in Newcastle, UK in March, and Berlin, Germany in July. Semifinalists will then compete in a single elimination Playoff event in Paris, France, in September with the winners advancing to the PFL Europe Championship in Dublin, Ireland in December.”

The post Four-Date PFL Europe Schedule Announced for 2023 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Bryce Mitchell Wants to Debate Joe Rogan Over Flat Earth Theory

Ladies and gentleman, Bryce Mitchell.

Bryce Mitchell challenged Joe Rogan to a flat Earth debate (I edited the original clip for time) pic.twitter.com/ugraYmIEgB

— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) October 18, 2022

We’d like to believe that this is just Mitchell’s way of landing a guest spot on the Joe Rogan Experience. Unfortunately that’s probably not the case. The undefeated featherweight has long been an outspoken figure, and more power to him on that. It’s just a shame he’s fallen off the map (ba dum tiss!) on this one.

UFC Bans Fighters, Coaches, Corners from Betting on Fights

It’s almost comical that this wasn’t already established, but no, UFC fighters should not be betting on UFC fights.

The promotion recently updated its Athlete Code of Conduct, a rarely enforced document quite frankly, to make this explicit. The update, first reported by Yahoo! Sports, reads as follows:

Athletes are prohibited from placing any wagers (directly or through a third party) on any UFC match, including placing any wagers on themselves. In most states with legalized sports betting, wagering by an athlete (directly or through a third party) on any MMA match put on by a promoter with which they are affiliated is illegal and may result in criminal sanction. Athletes should also be aware that in most states these same prohibitions apply to some or all of (i) relatives living in the same household as the athlete, (ii) an athlete’s coaches, managers, handlers, athletic trainers, medical professionals and staff, and (iii) any other person with access to non-public information regarding participants in any MMA match. An athlete that becomes aware of has knowledge of any wagering in violation of these restriction must immediately notify UFC of such incident in accordance with this UFC Athlete Conduct Policy.

While it may seem odd not to allow fighters to bet on teammates or even on themselves to win, the principle behind it is that athletes may have insider info when it comes to opponents. With MMA being such a small world and “spies” in training camps having been an issue in the past, any news of injury or ailment floating between camps could give someone an edge — while the greater public could be completely in the dark.

Ilir Latifi Gets Temp Suspension for Staph Shenanigans

Following his win over Aleksei Oleinik earlier this month, Ilir Latifi revealed in his in-cage interview that he’d opted to compete with a staph infection.

Oops.

Staph is highly contagious, with the infection caused by the Staphylococcus genus of bacteria. Staph infections can be serious, even deadly — ergo athletic commissions do not allow combat sports competitors to compete with them.

As a result, the Nevada Athletic Commission has handed Latifi a temporary suspension, noting that the incident displayed “behavior that cannot be tolerated” from a professional fighter, per a report by MMA Fighting. Latifi and the commission are reportedly working to reach an adjudication agreement in terms of punishment, which should put a final timeframe on his suspension.

Dana White’s Slap Fighting League Approved by NSAC

Who asked for this?

A “Slap Fighting” promotion being launched by UFC President Dana White has been granted approval by the NSAC. The Nevada Athletic Commission approved the proposed league via vote this past Tuesday at the commission’s monthly meeting.

ESPN was first to report the news.

Slap fighting involves two competitors standing opposite one another and… well, slapping one another as hard as they can. In the face. That’s it. UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell is part of the ownership group behind the new promotion, along with White.

The outfit is going by the name Power Slap League and will feature rules and weight classes based on MMA. But you know, with just slapping.

Maybe they can sign the Diaz brothers.

PFL Announces Broadcast Deal with DAZN, Founding of PFL Europe

The PFL has signed on with DAZN to air its PFL Europe events in, well, Europe. Makes sense.

PFL Europe will launch in 2023, and is being described (in a recent press release, anyhow) as “the first regional league ever from a global provider of MMA.” PFL Europe will be a joint venture between DAZN and the PFL, making it a founding partner, as well as the exclusive broadcaster in 53 markets. Those include the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Spain.

“PFL Europe is the beginning of the Champions League of MMA from PFL” said Peter Murray, CEO of PFL in a press release announcing the news. “We are excited to have DAZN as our strategic media rights distribution partner in Europe for all of fight franchises – PFL Global League, PFL Challenger Series, PFL Europe, and PFL PPV Super Fight Division.”

ONE Championship Announces Brazilian Broadcast Deal with Combate

The UFC recently announced an end to its partnership with Combate in Brazil, opting instead to focus on UFC Fight Pass in the South American nation. With Dana White and co. going their own way, ONE Championship has stepped in to provide MMA content to the outlet.

The multi-year agreement kicks off in 2023 and will see 12 events air in Brazilian prime time annually. Combate, owned by parent company Globo, had long been the broadcast home of the UFC.

“This multi-year agreement will give our Brazilian fanbase the opportunity to connect with ONE like never before as we present a minimum of 12 primetime events each year,” ONE CEO and Chairman Chatri Sityodtong said in a press release. “Brazil is one of the most passionate combat sports regions in the world, and with a best-in-class partner like Globo distributing our content, we will be able to reach the widest audience possible in an extremely important market for ONE.”

Cageside Live, and Interviews Galore

In case you missed it, catch up with Cageside Live, and some of our top interviews with regional fighters from the past week!

The post Sunday MMA Quick Hits: UFC Fighters Banned from Betting, Flat-Earther Mitchell Wants to Debate Rogan appeared first on Cageside Press.

On Thursday, PFL officials announced that fighters at PFL 8 and 9 in Cardiff, Wales and London, England this August would be competing for PFL Europe contracts. That includes standout women’s flyweight prospect Dakota Ditcheva and Ireland’s Will Fleury, the latter of whom previously competed for Bellator MMA.

“I am pleased to announce the PFL will launch PFL Europe in 2023 to further advance the sport of MMA and fuel PFL’s next phase of global expansion starting in Europe, the number one international MMA growth region,” PFL CEO Peter Murray was quoted as saying in a press release distributed Thursday. “Europe is rich with top fighters who are ready to compete in the PFL’s season format on a major stage and passionate MMA fans throughout the region will now have access to premium events staged in Europe.”

Per Thursday’s announcement, the PFL’s European events will broadcast and streamed in prime time in Europe, hosted in European countries, and will feature emerging European mixed martial artists.

Along with Fleury and striking sensation Ditcheva, who recently made our Scouting the Globe 2022 series, Francesco Nuzzi of Italy and Scotland’s Louie Sutherland will also compete next month, with PFL Europe contracts on the line.

The promotion visits Cardiff on August 13, and London a week later on August 20. PFL Europe is expected to debut in 2023.

The post Launch of PFL Europe Announced, Qualifying Fights Start Next Month appeared first on Cageside Press.