Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio have been suspended by the PFL after a controversial bout that did not meet competition standards, with Schulte being removed from the postseason.
Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio have been harshly penalized by the PFL for a controversial bout that took place in Atlanta on Friday. During the preliminary portion of PFL 6, the lightweights engaged in an unusual contest where they rarely initiated any meaningful offense for three rounds, making it feel more like a sparring session than an important fight. Schulte defeated Manfio by unanimous decision, and the winner had a spot in the postseason with $1 million on the line.
The PFL announced on Saturday morning that Schulte and Manfio have both been suspended for their performances, as the bout “did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition.” As a result, Schulte was removed from the postseason. The PFL’s full statement explained that 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.” The statement further highlighted that it was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in their bout.
With Schulte and Manfio suspended, Shane Burgos now advances to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed where he will face No. 1 Clay Collard in the lightweight semifinals. Olivier Aubin-Mercier, the 2022 tournament champion, fights Bruno Miranda on the other side of the bracket. The situation between Schulte and Manfio was entirely predictable, as the two have spoken publicly about the closeness of their friendship. Schulte is the godfather of Manfio’s daughter and Manfio has praised the two-time PFL champion for helping him financially in the past.
“He’s my best friend,” Manfio said in an April 2021 interview. “He has helped me with everything I asked. He had the money of the [previous PFL seasons] and helped me pay for my rent several times when I had no money, he bought something for me to eat. I’m [in the United States] because of him. He’s a friend sent by God. On the other side, I felt terrible for having to ask him that.” Manfio also mentioned that he was aware that he might have to fight Schulte in the PFL, but he was “praying we only meet in the final.” The two were previously scheduled to fight in the 2021 regular season, but Manfio was rebooked to face Anthony Pettis instead.