The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is shifting to a traditional tournament format in 2025, with Impa Kasanganay, Taila Santos, and Marc Diakiese confirmed as participants, while the full roster and brackets will be announced in February, offering $500,000 to each of the eight tournament winners.
Three names are locked in for the new era of the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in 2025. Big changes ahead, folks!
PFL’s ditching its season format for a more traditional tournament style, echoing the early days of Bellator. Impa Kasanganay, Taila Santos, and Marc Diakiese are the first fighters confirmed for this grand prix.
The promotion will soon announce the other 59 contenders. Expect the full brackets to drop in February. Oh, and eight lucky winners will each snag $500,000.
Kasanganay (18-5) had a stellar 2023, clinching the light heavyweight title with a flawless 5-0 record under PFL’s banner. But in 2024? He fell short against Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov in another season final.
Santos (22-4) also reached the PFL finals during her debut year post-UFC but was edged out by Dakota Ditcheva for that million-dollar prize in November 2024. Notably, Santos once challenged Valentina Shevchenko for UFC gold and is currently 3-1 in PFL.
Diakiese (18-7), after a solid stint in the UFC with 15 fights from 2016 to 2023, decided to move on after defeating Kaue Fernandes in Brazil. He’s bested opponents like Joe Duffy and Lando Vannata too. Just recently? He scored a decision win over Tim Wilde in his Bellator debut last September.
PFL’s got tournaments lined up for every male division from bantamweight to heavyweight. Plus, there’s a women’s flyweight division showdown coming your way.