Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.
Shane Burgos makes his PFL debut tomorrow, where he will stand across from Olivier Aubin-Mercier. Not only is Burgos fighting the man who won the 2022 PFL Lightweight Tournament, but he is also out to prove he made the right choice in leaving the UFC for the PFL.
“I’m taking the road less traveled,” says Burgos. “Guys are supposed to do what the UFC tells them. I didn’t. I made my name in the UFC, and I cashed out.”
Initially, the 32-year-old Burgos was supposed to fight Marlon Moraes last November. An injury prevented that bout from happening, and Burgos now has the chance to match up against Aubin-Mercier (17–5), who ran through the lightweight tourney last year.
Burgos (15–3) is an important signing for the PFL. He exited the UFC on a two-fight win streak, defeating Charles Jourdain last summer. He now has the opportunity to show fighters can take a different route to success, one that does not run through the UFC.
“I ended up turning down a deal from the PFL in 2019 when I was still in that mode where I had too much pride because I was a UFC fighter,” says Burgos. “But it was an awesome offer. My manager was the one who asked me, ‘Are you a prize fighter? Or a UFC fighter?’ That’s when I really started to think about it differently. I’m a prize fighter.
“I have no problems with the UFC. But it’s better for me now here. I can add sponsors to my shorts. I’m going to do some commentary. For me and my family, it’s the right move.”
The transition to the PFL has proved to be a struggle for some former UFC fighters, most notably Anthony Pettis, who came up short in both seasons where he competed for the lightweight title. But Burgos, who is in his fighting prime, has the chance to rewrite that narrative.
“This means the world to me,” says Burgos. I emptied my f---ing mind, body and soul into this fight camp. I left no stone unturned. To me, this is a title fight. He won it last year, and he’s the one in front of me.
“I made the right decision. I’m a world-class fighter, and now I’m going to take out the reigning champion.”
A new PPV platform for Nate Diaz and Jake Paul isn’t a good sign
Nate Diaz and Jake Paul announced yesterday they will box each other this summer.
The eight-round boxing match, which will be contested at 185 pounds, will take place Aug. 5. It is newsworthy any time Paul or Diaz sign an upcoming fight, yet there are some serious concerns ahead of this bout.
The biggest red flag does not involve those who are involved, but rather those who are not. The fight will be broadcast on DAZN, a steep decline from ESPN+ or Showtime. Paul’s most recent fight in February against Tommy Fury aired on ESPN+, where it received full advantage of ESPN’s marketing and advertising, with promotion on the prior night’s UFC broadcast. Without ESPN, far fewer eyes will be on this fight on DAZN.
Diaz fighting away from the UFC also poses questions. This is his professional boxing debut. Will he be able to draw an audience without the UFC machine behind him? That would be less of a question if he were competing in MMA, but this being a boxing bout adds another complicating factor. Whether there will be interest in his making his debut at 37 is a valid question.
The most damaging element is Paul (6–1) is coming off a loss, which he suffered against Fury. Part of his intrigue in boxing was an undefeated record, and that no longer exists. Losing to Fury, a legitimate boxer but one lacking name value, also dented his aura as a boxer.
This would be far more captivating had it taken place in the PFL cage, where Paul would be an overwhelming underdog—but would have drawn real interest. The absence of Showtime and ESPN are glaring, but that would not have been the case had this been an MMA bout.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.
