Despite Dana White Trashing Rivals, Team Khabib Drags Fighters’ Family Into a Fiery Rant on PFL Controversy

“They have no clue how to run a promotion,” said former UFC lightweight Josh Thomson, slamming the PFL after it abruptly stalled fights across its roster. Late last year, multiple fighters under Donn Davis’ leadership accused the league of breaching contracts, intentionally delaying bouts, and exhibiting poor management. The fallout was swift—high-profile names like Patricio Pitbull parted ways, and the ripple effects have carried into this year. Yet, amid the chaos, Team Khabib has stepped in, offering a glimmer of stability and hope.

Many top fighters, such as Pitbull, Patchy Mix, and Corey Anderson, came together to call out the top management of the PFL for their lackluster treatment of fighters. They accused the promotion of mistreating athletes and canceling fights without any prior notice — something considered a major red flag for the organization. With dwindling viewership, the PFL has been regarded as a dying ship in the era of UFC, and amidst this chaos, Team Khabib has come forward to make a statement, saving the ship for a while at least.

Taking to his X handle, Islam Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, has called out everyone criticizing the PFL, “All these fake media talking about the PFL just remember this is the only promotion outside the UFC paying athletes real money and if they are not around anymore a lot of the athletes would not make a living for their families. Put up or shut up.”

Abdelaziz might be right, but the truth is, PFL seems like they bit off more than they could chew. Patricio Pitbull, in one of his conversations, lashed out at the promotion for undercutting the fighters, “Bellator is PFL’s property, many fighters didn’t fight a single time and many like me only fought once. You said you’d honor everyone’s contracts and give them two fights this year. You didn’t. You cut over 70% of the roster and had many renegotiate their pay.”

He further added, “As far as PFL providing everyone two fights this year, I really hope that’s what’s gonna happen and not because many more will be cut.” This was Patricio Pitbull’s last statement before he jumped ship to the UFC. And it was not just Pitbull. The latest UFC import from PFL, Aaron Pico, also had strong words for Donn Davis.

Pico’s contract ended earlier this year, but PFL was holding on to the contractually obligated 1-year matching period. That meant Pico could sign with the UFC, and if the PFL matched that offer, he’d have to go back to Davis’ stable. Or sit out for a year until the matching period ends. Guess what he chose?

“I will say this — I’m not fighting for the PFL. If I have to wait out a year to be free and clear, then I’ll do it. Honestly. I’m fine. Money’s good, but this is what I love to do. Thank God I have good investments, and everything is going well. I just want to fight,” Pico told MMA Fighting.

The feathweight had had enough of the promotion’s topsy-turvy match scheduling. He had four cancellations over the last few months – against Patricio Pitbull in September 2024, against Jesus Pinedo on the Francis Ngannou debut card in October 2024 in Riyadh, then against Jeremy Kennedy, and another fight against Pitbull in Japan on New Year’s. Does this not paint a worrying picture for the rest of the roster?

Well, the PFL has been doing various events recently, but none of them have been able to stand up to their true potential, and this might be because of losing star power. Let us have a look at what another former Bellator champion had to say about the merger and the influence of PFL.

Gegard Mousasi lashes out at PFL for the mismanagement of fighters

Bellator was fully acquired by the PFL back in November 2023. Since then, all of Bellator’s fighters have been absorbed into the Donn Davis-led promotion. But has this move been for their betterment, or has it made things worse? According to  Gegard Mousasi, it has certainly made it worse.

While having a conversation on the Jaxxon podcast, Mousasi stated, “I want to fight, but a little bit difficult with PFL. They don’t honor the contract, but we’ll see… They [PFL] took over the contracts, and Bellator fighters make more than the PFL guys, so they trying to cut [salaries], maybe put pressure. He further added, “So now, they have to cut because they’re not making a lot of money… After UFC, they want to be No. 2. So, they’re now No. 2, I guess. But I don’t hear them making any money.”

The PFL has been struggling since acquiring Bellator, primarily because it has become a burden to organize so many fights without generating substantial revenue. With Dana White pulling bangers after bangers for the UFC, the fate of other promotions is in the shadow realm. Look at the GFL that had to cancel an event before even getting started. Given that, what are your thoughts on the situation? State your opinion in the comments below.