{"id":234681,"date":"2017-04-19T07:42:38","date_gmt":"2017-04-19T14:42:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/?p=234681"},"modified":"2017-04-19T07:43:43","modified_gmt":"2017-04-19T14:43:43","slug":"breaking-world-series-fighting-bites-dust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/mma-news\/world-series-of-fighting\/breaking-world-series-fighting-bites-dust\/","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING: World Series of Fighting bites the dust, becomes Professional Fighters League"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many years, World Series of Fighting (WSOF), has stood out as arguably the third-biggest MMA promotion in the world, behind the UFC and Bellator. The promotion has been home to recognizable names like Justin Gaethje, Marlon Moraes<\/a>, David Branch,<\/a> Jon Fitch, Jake Shields<\/a>, Rousimar Palhares, Thiago Silva, Matt Hamill, Vinny Magalhaes, Blagoy Ivanov, Josh Copeland, Shawn Jordan, Lance Palmer, Yushin Okami, and others. And now, it is is no more.<\/p>\n

In a development that has seemed likely for some time, the promotion has closed its doors. It will now operate under new ownership\u00a0and under a new name: The Professional Fighters League (PFL). The Washington Post <\/a>explains:<\/p>\n

\u201cA group of area businesspeople and sports titans, headed by the former chair of the DC2024 Summer Olympics bid, expect to launch a mixed martial arts league in January, featuring a $10\u00a0million prize pool and $1\u00a0million cash payouts to individual champions, according to people familiar with the plans.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The new Professional Fighters League, which will aim to go head-to-head against the Ultimate Fighting Championship and other MMA circuits, will be headquartered in the District and could hold some events in the metro area.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

With the end of WSOF, long-time WSOF President Ray Sefo addressed the promotion’s roster with the following letter (via MyMMANews.com<\/a>). This letter explains the new and exciting mission of the PFL, which will strive to pay fighters more, and give them fights on a more frequent basis.<\/p>\n

\u201cDear Fighters,<\/em><\/p>\n

As many of you know, a new ownership group purchased the World Series of Fighting a few months ago with the aim of putting fighters first and evolving the sport of mixed martial arts. \u00a0Today I am proud and excited to tell you about those changes.<\/em><\/p>\n

First: our new name. \u00a0We are announcing the Professional Fighters League. \u00a0We believe bringing a league format to MMA elevates it so it can proudly sit alongside other professional sports leagues.<\/em><\/p>\n

Your are all professional fighters and a league will provide increased and equitable financial opportunities.<\/em><\/p>\n

Starting in January 2018, we will bring a proven sports format to MMA through regular season, playoff, and championship fights. \u00a0Fighters will compete across seven weight classes until a champion for each is crowned. \u00a0Our new league will give every fighter an equal opportunity to compete. \u00a0No politics, no games. \u00a0Your ability and skill, and wins, and losses in the Decagon on a world stage will determine the champion.<\/em><\/p>\n

Professional Fighters League will be fighters-first, and has established a three-point promise to fighters in the league.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Every fighters will have regular fights, no less than three scheduled per year.<\/em><\/li>\n
  2. Every fighters will receive a regular paycheck each month.<\/em><\/li>\n
  3. Every fighter will have the opportunity to become champion.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    I have been a fighter, a world champion, a coach, and a mentor to many of you. \u00a0Today marks a new milestone in this sport we all love. \u00a0I am thrilled and honored to launch this new MMA league alongside Carlos Silva and our fantastic staff.<\/em><\/p>\n

    We will be reaching out with more details in the coming months about the upcoming season. \u00a0I\u2019m looking forward to the debut of the Professional Fighters League in January 2018. \u00a0May the best fighters win<\/em><\/p>\n

    Sincerely,<\/em><\/p>\n

    Ray Sefo\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/BTD-ws5gotL\/?taken-by=worldseriesoffighting<\/p>\n

    More details to come on World Series of Fighting’s end, and the PFL’s beginnings, as they emerge.<\/p>\n

    This article first appeared on\u00a0<\/i>BJPenn.com<\/i><\/span><\/a>\u00a0on 4\/18\/2017.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    For many years, World Series of Fighting (WSOF), has stood out as arguably the third-biggest MMA promotion in the world, behind the UFC and Bellator. The promotion has been home to recognizable names like Justin Gaethje, Marlon Moraes, David Branch, Jon Fitch, Jake Shields, Rousimar Palhares, Thiago Silva, Matt Hamill, Vinny Magalhaes, Blagoy Ivanov, Josh […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":54430,"featured_media":234687,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false},"categories":[24130,5806],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nBREAKING: World Series of Fighting bites the dust, becomes Professional Fighters League | BJPenn.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Major MMA promotion World Series of Fighting has met its end, and will now operate under new leadership as the Professional Fighters League.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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