The negative experience with the PFL shared by many big names on the roster has been the complete opposite for one of the promotion’s standout fighters.
Lightweight contender Paul Hughes went to bat for the PFL on Friday, expressing disappointment that “it has become a trend to hate on (the promotion).” Hughes’ words were part of a quote-tweet on X in which responded to criticism by former Strikeforce champion and “Weighing In” podcast co-host Josh Thomson, who urged the PFL to “get their sh*t together” during a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio.
As far as Hughes is concerned, though, the PFL already has it together.
“The PFL have provided me the platform to completely change my life and my career in 9 months,” wrote Hughes, who’s been booked three times by PFL, including a January title-fight loss to Bellator lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov. “The staff have been absolutely amazing to deal with the entire time. I find it disappointing that it has become a trend to hate on them.
“They are the UNDERDOGS, fighting to make a CHANGE in an industry where the athletes are under served and underpaid. MOST of us fighters end up leaving the game with no money (and a lot of brain damage). This will only change if organisations like PFL continue to succeed.”
The @PFLMMA have provided me the platform to completely change my life and my career in 9 months.
The staff have been absolutely amazing to deal with the entire time.
I find it disappointing that it has become a trend to hate on them.
They are the UNDERDOGS, fighting to make… https://t.co/TQCUlvwFTt
— Paul Hughes MMA (@paulhughesmma) March 14, 2025
Almost every public complaint has come from a prominent former Bellator champions and notables, whose contracts were picked up by the PFL as part of the acquisition in late 2023. While Hughes has competed three times in nine months, the common refrain from angry fighters has been a lack of activity and communication.
Patricio Freire, who fought only once for PFL, received his release after asking for it and signed with the UFC; Aaron Pico and Patchy Mix, who each have made just one PFL appearance, both have publicly requested to be released; Corey Anderson has expressed his unhappiness with fighting only once in March 2024; and Gegard Mousasi hit the PFL with a $15 million breach of contract lawsuit after he was released.
