THE Professional Fighters League have chosen 32 MMA hopefuls all fighting to enter their $1m winner-take-all season.
PFL have announced a European tournament which will see eight fighters in four different weight classes compete over ten months.
PFL CEO Peter Murray
In the PFL’s global season, contenders have two qualifying bouts, with points earned per method of victory.
The top four in each weight then progress to the knockout stages, setting up a grand finale where $1m (£820,000) and a championship belt awaits.
PFL Europe will follow the same format, instead offering $100,000, a title and the chance to enter PFL’s regular $1m-winning league.
More domestic tournaments are set to be introduced, but the PFL have attacked the market to make a home for MMA in Europe.
PFL CEO Peter Murray told SunSport: “We’re launching the first international league in Europe because it’s the No1 growth market.
“There’s more demand for quality MMA in Europe than any part of the world and the talent in Europe is very advanced.
“There’s top fighters who do not have a proper home, who do not have the support to help develop their career.
“So we’re creating that system and it’s exciting for fans.”
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
The PFL brass were inundated with applicants from across Europe but only 32 carefully selected prospects made the cut.
Murray said: “What I can tell you, we had thousands of submissions, thousands.
“And obviously our team is only looking for the top emerging talent throughout Europe.
“It was quite a process to get it down to the lucky, skilled and fortunate 32 athletes who made the cut.
“Ray Sefo, our Global Head of Fighter Operations, plus his team, the submissions coming into PFL from all over Europe, they’ve been waiting for this.
PFL Europe Schedule
Saturday, March 25 – Newcastle, UK – Vertu Motors Arena (Regular Season)
Saturday, July 8 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall (Regular Season)
Saturday, September 30 – Paris, France – Zenith Paris La Villette (Playoffs)
Friday, December 8 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Arena (Final)
“Because largely, throughout Europe and many parts of the world, hope has been the strategy.
“To get the call, how do I get into a major organisation and compete against top talent, on a major stage on a true pathway?
“Well it’s here, PFL Europe and we’re excited about it.”
PFL Europe launches on March 25 in Newcastle before heading to Berlin on July 8.
That concludes the qualifying stages, as Paris hosts the play-off on September 30 before Dublin marks the final on Friday, December 8.
Murray added: “Everyone who made the PFL Europe roster, this is their biggest opportunity to date in the sport as professional athletes.
“Because what’s in front of them in 2023; big fights against major talent, the opportunity to become champion and they have to earn their way there.
“The title fight gives them the honour as European champion and a six-figure purse, a purse they would never have seen until the launch of PFL Europe.
“It’s also a pathway to a global stage in PFL’s global season and an opportunity to compete at the next level and for $1million.”
The six PFL champions of 2022