SUMMARY
- PFL vs. Bellator Champs will be held on February 24, 2024, in Saudi Arabia.
- Multiple champions from both promotions will feature on the highly anticipated event.
PFL vs Bellator: Champs is the much-awaited fight night which involves champion vs. champion fights from both promotions. Such a card was said to be in the works after PFL’s acquisition of Bellator MMA was announced in November 2023. The champions vs champions card is set to take place on February 24, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The main event sees PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira clash against Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. The co-main event will pit PFL light heavyweight Impa Kasanganay against Bellator middleweight titleholder Johnny Eblen.
.@kingimpa is a man of the people 🤝
Saudi Arabia is embracing the 2023 Light Heavyweight World Champion
[ #PFLvsBellator | Saturday, Feb 24th | 3pm EST | 🎟 https://t.co/C7U3kwS1zr] pic.twitter.com/jCuzghoQIX
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 21, 2024
Several adjustments, however, had to be made before the event which was originally set to feature four champion vs. champion bouts. Magomed Magomedkerimov, the 2023 PFL welterweight winner withdrew from his fight against Bellator Welterweight Champion Jason Jackson. He was replaced by Ray Cooper III, the 2019 and 2021 PFL welterweight winner.
Just a week before the event, a featherweight bout between Bellator Featherweight Champion Patrício Pitbull and 2023 PFL featherweight winner Jesus Pinedo also got slashed. Pinedo had to withdraw due to injury. Pitbull was instead scheduled to fight Gabriel Alves Braga.
𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Updated #PFLvsBellator Fight Card #PFL #bellator #mma #combat #sports pic.twitter.com/Zm6UYv9CxS
— Keenan (@TrillaKayy) February 20, 2024
This called for another adjustment as Braga was already on the card and his opponent was Aaron Pico. The former wrestler, Pico, will now face Henry Corrales on the undercard in a 2019 rematch.
PFL vs. Bellator Champs fight purse: How much will headliners Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader earn?
Saudi Arabia is investing a boatload of money in sports. The country put in great efforts to employ the services of Cristiano Ronaldo for Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. Since then the Portuguese soccer star has been the face of Saudi Arabia’s growing sporting ventures.
The Middle Eastern country has already been named the modern capital of boxing by many. It has hosted several high-profile boxing events including PFL fighter Francis Ngannou‘s boxing debut. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund’s SRJ Sports Investment company has a minority equity ownership stake in PFL. It is now set to host a huge MMA fight card involving several big fighters. Naturally, the fight purses will be something to look at.
Two Heavyweight World Champions.
Only one will have a seat on the throne on February 24th 👑⚔️
PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions, February 24, live on DAZN. Sign-up at https://t.co/2BtPH3wso4#RiyadhSeason pic.twitter.com/55oPDBPdup
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 22, 2024
According to NY Fights, multiple fighters will be taking home seven figures. Headliner Renan Ferreira is set to earn around $1,100,000, and his opponent Ryan Bader will also earn around $1,100,000. Here is an estimated payout for the fighters on the main card of the event.
- Impa Kasanganay – $900,000
- Johnny Eblen – $1,000,000
- Ray Cooper III – $700,000
- Jason Jackson – $750,000
- Gabriel Alves Braga – $600,000
- Patricio Pitbull – $1,000,000
- Bruno Cappelozza – $750,000
- Vadim Nemkov – $850,000
- Thiago Santos – $550,000
- Yoel Romero – $550,000
- Clay Collard – $800,000
- AJ McKee – $800,000