Controversial comedian Russell Brand has jetted into Nashville to link up with the PFL for their semi-finals tonight.
The embattled Hollywood star is blending his television hosting experience with his love for combat as he is set for a role on the broadcast for PFL’s first slate of semi-finals. He was in attendance at ceremonial weigh-ins on Thursday, where chairman Donn Davis gave him a tour of the cage and more.
Bloody Elbow sources have confirmed that he filmed a segment with main event stars Jason Jackson and Thad Jean at weigh-ins, which will air soon. And most interestingly, he will also be involved on fight night in a capacity that is as yet unknown.
Russell Brand set for role at PFL World Tournament semi-finals
Russell Brand’s appearance at the PFL World Tournament semi-final weigh-ins went viral on social media, with fans questioning what he was doing at such an event. And now Bloody Elbow can reveal that he is getting involved in a number of aspects with the promotion.
The Ballers star is a known fight fan, and has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Chris Cleere. But it is unclear exactly what his expertise will be when it comes to MMA and in particular the lesser known world of PFL.
Brand flew along with his team into Nashville on a private jet on Thursday in order to take in the spectacle of the ceremonial weigh-ins. There, he was allowed into the cage and given a tour of the venue by promotional co-founder Donn Davis before interviewing Jackson and Jean.
Bloody Elbow sources have said that Brand is a fan of the PFL format and could participate in future events after Thursday night’s show.
PFL World Tournament semi-finals will see heated feuds settled
The comedian has chosen an interesting week to get amongst the proceedings, with tensions reaching a boiling point in two key semi-final matchups. The main event has been a powder keg since it was confirmed back in April, with Jean and Jackson building a massive feud in the past eight weeks.
Then in the featherweight tournament, 2023 champion Jesus Pinedo and the man he beat in that final Gabriel Braga can finally settle their score. The pair share a 1-1 record against the other from a pair of meetings in that 2023 season.
Pinedo insists that the split decision that cost him in the opening round was the wrong one, and he went a ways towards proving that in their rematch. He knocked out Braga, who was unbeaten at the time, in the first minute of the third round.
Now, they get a chance to square off one last time in a massive $500,000 Tournament semi-final.