The PFL didn’t like what one UFC star had to say at its tournament final.
The Professional Fighters League touched down in Atlantic City on Friday with nine fights, headlined by a welterweight title fight between Thad Jean and former Bellator interim champion Logan Storley.
The PFL card produced one of the worst stoppages of the year, as fighter Nathan Kelly’s head bounced off the canvas 11 seconds after he tapped out to a guillotine choke. The referee failed to see the tap because she ran to the other side for a different angle.
That wasn’t the only controversy of the night, however, as recently victorious UFC light heavyweight Tuco Tokkos got ejected from the event for criticizing the promotion.
Tuco Tokkos: ‘I just got kicked out of PFL for the third time’
Tokkos has had a pretty busy last few weeks.
The Kill Cliff FC product won his UFC fight in Nashville in July, cornering his top contender teammate Brendan Allen to a win in New Orleans, and then another trip to Atlantic City for the PFL world tournament final—with an escort out the door by security.
“The best perk about being a UFC fighter is that you’re not a PFL fighter,” Tokkos told Bloody Elbow.
“I just got kicked out of PFL for like the third time,” Tokkos continued.
“I just—I got a big mouth, you know? I think that PFL kind of has a favorite guy in the fight.
“[In the] co-main event, [Jesus] Pinedo was like, getting takedowns. I think they stood him up from full mount at one point. It was like stuff you would never see in the UFC. The guy’s dominating, he’s on top, he’s landing strikes, and they’re standing him up.
“It’s insane,” Tokkos said of the officiating in the featherweight final between Movlid Khaybulaev and Jesus Pinedo.
“I was like, what is this? They obviously want the red corner [Khaybluaev] to win.
“And then in the main event, my boy Logan Storley lost the decision. And yeah, the other guy maybe won more rounds, but they gave him like, every round. It was insane… I was like, there’s no way. Logan definitely won two rounds.
“So, I was like, man, this is why UFC is the best,” said Tokkos.
“Because for the most part, it’s fair. I know we see robberies, but it’s just like, the fights are just more legitimate, man. It’s more fair fights.
“Once they’re in the cage, the fight’s fair, man. There’s no fixing of fights. There’s no pressure for commissions. You don’t see the ref letting one guy win more than another guy. It’s crazy…
“I was saying all that stuff out loud, and then I went in the back after the fight with my boys, Logan, and the security came and kicked me out. Even though there was like a hundred people backstage that weren’t corners. They came and specifically came for me because they don’t like that I talk.
“But thank God I’m in the UFC. Dana loves it when we expose other promotions. So I’m gonna keep talking my s—. I got nothing to fear from PFL… PFL is trash,” Tokkos added.
Tuco Tokkos on PFL’s future: ‘I don’t know if they can sustain it’
In 2023, top promotion Bellator MMA was acquired by PFL.
The aftermath of the merger could have gone better, as PFL has lost a number of talented fighters like Aaron Pico, Patricio Pitbull, Patchy Mix, and even current UFC champion Kayla Harrison leaving the promotion in recent years.
As the PFL continues to spend on their global outreach, Tokkos was asked if the league will still be around in the next 2-3 years.
“I don’t know,” Tokkos replied.
“It was a good thing because they had money and they were paying guys. I have teammates that fight for PFL, and they’re getting paid, which is great. I’m happy about that.
“But I don’t know if they can sustain it because the product ain’t the same [as the UFC],” Tokkos continued.
“Like, every single UFC show sold out. They could go to Alaska—they’re sold out in the biggest arena in Alaska, 20,000 people. Every weekend, they’re sold out.
“I just went to PFL. 500 people in there. They’re giving away tickets. Buy two, get two free. They’re like 25 bucks.
“They were doing those shows in Saudi Arabia. I think they had that Saudi investment and stuff like that. But they just went to Atlantic City for the final show. So. I don’t know, man.
“I hope they keep going, but I don’t know how much money they’re making. I don’t know who really watches it, you know? And it goes back to what I said, because they have favorites. The fights ain’t legitimate,” Tokkos said of the PFL.