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While all the talk these days surrounding the PFL seems to be about new heavyweight superstar Francis Ngannou, the company ran into a bit of controversy of the weekend.
The PFL announced the suspensions of lightweights Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio on Saturday morning.
“Last Night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition,” the statement read. “All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements agree to use their ‘best efforts … skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete … and defeat any opponent.’ It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that contractual standard in yesterday’s bout.
“PFL immediately suspended both fighters from the season and deemed the fight to have 0 points for purposes of League standings. PFL takes this action in recognition of its responsibility to all PFL fighters and all PFL fans.”
The suspensions come following a controversial fight between the pair at PFL 6 on Friday night where neither appeared willing to engage.
Schulte is a two-time PFL champion. He also happens to be one of Manfio’s best friends and the godfather of Manfio’s daughter.
MMA Fighting’s Alexander Lee had more on the situation.
“He’s my best friend,” Manfio told MMA Fighting in an April 2021 interview. “He has helped me with everything I asked. He had the money of the [previous PFL seasons] and helped me pay for my rent several times when I had no money, he bought something for me to eat. I’m [in the United States] because of him. He’s a friend sent by God. On the other side, I felt terrible for having to ask him that.”
Schulte talked a bit about the situation following the fight and prior to the suspension.
The decision also affects the company’s lightweight tournament. Schulte and Manfio were fighting for a spot in the PFL lightweight playoffs. Now that spot goes to former UFC star Shane Burgos.
Fans believe that was part of the PFL’s plan.
2 reasons this happened. 1) the fight was a clear sparring match and 2) burgos is on one of the biggest contracts for PFL so it was a perfect excuse to slide him in. What was bad just got worse for PFL. https://t.co/Ro4UraeWj5
— MadLab (@MadLabMMA) June 24, 2023
They’ve done this cuz they wanted Burgos in the playoffs, it’s BS. You put 2 best friends to go to war. They are like brothers. Why put them together lmao. https://t.co/1EcU6Z9Ogq
— Taybazza 🏴 (@Taybazza041) June 24, 2023
This is unreal.
A two fight “season” and a result you don’t like – despite your own matchmaking – so just change the rules. I’m not a lawyer but if the Georgia commission takes no action about the result itself, I’d have to imagine Natan Schulte could consider legal action. https://t.co/TSa5OtPK8T
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 24, 2023
So much for “a true league format.” Bad games happen in other sports, but you don’t see them changing teams. I wonder what PFL investor Ray Lewis would have said if his Ravens got bounced from the NFL playoffs because of a bad game. Terrible look. https://t.co/g7i9i35f6v
— Mark La Monica (@LaMonicaMark) June 24, 2023
Something tells us this isn’t the end of this situation.