Whilst 2024 was undoubtedly the Professional Fighter League’s best year to date as an active MMA promotion, that isn’t to say that the combat sports organization had a perfect year.
Luckily, just six days into 2025, chairman Donn Davis has confirmed that the PFL will be implementing a major new rule change for the new year – and it’s safe to say that MMA fans are loving the new addition.
Professional Fighters League announce massive rule change for 2025
Aside from a seasonal format and the use of a ‘SmartCage’ as opposed to a chain-linked octagon, one major difference between the PFL and the UFC has been the rules that each fight is governed under.
Specifically, the PFL had long been criticized for the fact that elbow strikes were banned; with the reason being that such blows could lead to significant cuts, which could force fighters out of the seasonal format.
Well, as we welcome a new year of MMA action, PFL chairman and co-founder Donn Davis has announced that elbows will now be deemed a legal strike in 2025.
“New Year … New Adjustments… YOU asked for ELBOWS… PFL MMA is giving you elbows! All elbows. All fights. All the time. #PFLMMA 2025 … COMING.”
Elbow strikes were introduced for the 2024 World Championship finals in November but were only allowed for the main title fights; now, it sounds like elbow strikes will be legal in all future PFL bouts.
The announcement has been met with a wave of positive reactions from the global MMA fanbase, with the consensus opinion being that this is a “significant improvement” to the promotion.
“Good call,” wrote one fan, with another adding “Great news, long overdue” – albeit those messages were scattered between others calling on the PFL to set more dates/locations for shows.
“About time that elbows were allowed, glad to see PFL making the adjustments.”
PFL boss Donn Davis reveals the five worst things from 2024
Whilst Donn Davis and the PFL are receiving widespread praise for the new rule change, the promotion boss has also addressed where the organization fell short in 2024.
As stated via a LinkedIn post earlier today, Davis acknowledged several ‘hard things that happened to PFL’ last year: starting with “several potential new investors” wasting a significant amount of company time.
“Big new advertiser agreed to deal and was in final contract, but new management stopped deal,” continued Davis, before addressing the recent friction with some of the roster’s biggest stars.
“Some Bellator star fighters complained on social media about not fighting enough, but PFL makes best overall decisions considering ALL our fighters.
Davis also stated that through no fault of their own, a “major new initiative and expansion” had also been delayed behind-the-scenes.
It’s unclear what this ‘major new initiative’ could be; although more information should be announced by the time that the first major event of the year rolls around in late-January.
The PFL-Bellator 2025 calendar kicks off with a bang on January 25
The PFL-Bellator schedule might not start straight away, but their first major PPV event of 2025 is sure to be a fantastic night of MMA action.
The latest installment of the ‘Road to Dubai Champions Series’ kicks off the new year with a bang, headlined by undefeated Russian Usman Nurmagomedov taking on popular Irishman Paul Hughes.
11 fights are currently scheduled for that PPV card, scheduled for January 25 in the UAE, with the following bouts attached.
- Usman Nurmagomedov vs Paul Hughes
- Khasan Magomedsharipov vs Nathan Kelly
- Ibragim Ibragimov vs Kenny Mokhonoana
- Renat Khavalov vs Cleiver Fernandes
- Tarek Suleiman vs Ahmed Sami
- Hadi Omar Al Hussaini vs Ruel Panales
- Yakub Sulimanov vs J Al-Silawi
- John Mitchell vs Souhil Tairi
- Youssef Al Housani vs Assem Ghanem
- Rashed Neda vs Haider Khan
- Mirafzal Akhtamov vs Mike Thompson
Road to Dubai Champions Series: Nurmagomedov vs Hughes goes down live from the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday, January 25.
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