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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Professional Fighters League) |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has unveiled its groundbreaking 2025 World Tournament, a five-month, action-packed MMA event that promises to redefine the sport. Featuring eight weight classes and 64 world-class fighters, the single-elimination format will crown champions who endure MMA’s toughest test: three victories in just five months. This highly anticipated tournament kicks off in April 2025, with semi-finals in June and championships in August. Fans worldwide can catch all the action live on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. as well as through 20 premium media partners across 190 countries including DAZN and Setanta Sports in the Philippines.
The 2025 PFL World Tournament brings an electrifying single-elimination bracket to MMA fans. Fighters in eight divisions — Heavyweight, Light Heavyweight, Middleweight, Welterweight, Lightweight, Featherweight, Bantamweight, and Women’s Flyweight — will battle for the coveted title of PFL Tournament Champion. Here’s how it works:
• First Round and Semi-Finals: Fighters will compete in three, five-minute rounds.
• Championship Finals: A five-round, five-minute format to determine the ultimate champions.
• Elbows Allowed: For the first time, all fights will now permit the use of elbows.
With over $20M (20 million dollars) in total prize money on the line including a $500,000 bonus for each champion, the stakes are higher than ever. The 2025 PFL World Tournament is set to take place on the following dates:
• First Round: April 3, 2025; April 11, 2025; April 18, 2025; TBD
• Semi-Finals: June 12, 2025; June 20, 2025; June 27, 2025
• Championships: August 1, 2025; August 15, 2025; August 21, 2025
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| (Image Source: Sports Bytes Philippines/Professional Fighters League) |
The brackets and matchups for the tournament will be revealed in February, along with a full roster of the 64 competitors. “The PFL World Tournament is continued innovation by PFL, and we are thrilled to present to global MMA fans an even more exciting product. One shot, single elimination — nothing more exciting in all of sports,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. The PFL is set to captivate global audiences with its combination of intense competition, high stakes, and a streamlined tournament structure designed to showcase the best fighters in the world.
The PFL 2025 World Tournament isn’t just another MMA event — it’s a true test of endurance, skill, and resilience. Fighters will face the unique challenge of battling through three high-stakes fights in five months to achieve glory. With the addition of elbows in every fight and an enormous prize pool, the tournament delivers the ultimate MMA spectacle. As excitement builds, fans worldwide eagerly await February for the full roster announcement. The countdown to the most thrilling MMA tournament of 2025 has begun!
