When PFL shook hands with the Bellator, for many fans, it was a straight knock on the door of the UFC. And it was! However, it looks like the massive business did very little to change the MMA landscape; on the contrary, fans can’t appreciate UFC enough after witnessing PFL vs Bellator’s sloppy “amateur hour production” and not-so-PPV-worthy fight card.
Despite some big names, including Ryan Bader, Thiago Santos, Vadim Nemkov, and Yoel Romero, among others, PFL vs Bellator still failed to keep the fans excited.
For the first time in history, PFL Champs face off against Bellator Champs
The best against the best. Who will seize the throne and go down in MMA history? 👑 #PFLvsBellator
[ #PFLvsBellator | Saturday, Feb 24th | 3pm EST | 🔗 https://t.co/YvrWKMqMqK ] pic.twitter.com/H2OUGlFS4S
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 24, 2024
Additionally, the lack of promotions is also hurting the PFL, which is finding it difficult to create any buzz around their event, let alone sell PPVs. Even Muhammad Ali’s grandson making his MMA debut and former two-time Olympic Champion Claressa Shields weren’t enough to pique any major interest. As for the main card, the presence of multiple former UFC fighters did not help either.
What’s the price of PFL vs Bellator PPV?
PFL vs Bellator, live from Kingdon Arena in Saudi Arabia, will exclusively stream on ESPN + and is priced at $49.99. For fans in the UK, the PPV is available on DAZN.
PFL vs Bellator being on DAZN PPV is an absolute joke, no way that card is PPV worthy
— Tim (@officialdermo) February 24, 2024
Besides family members of the fighters, who would buy a PFL vs. Bellator ppv?
— Coach Klein (@kleintime99) February 24, 2024
First, fans are unhappy with the promotion for keeping the PPV price in the exuberant range. Moreover, sloppy production value and lack of big names on the card have prompted many not to buy the PPV card.
Funny to see the timeline note how the production of this PFL vs BELLATOR card from Riyadh feels subpar, especially the audio. Then it turns out the event isn’t even held inside Kingdom Arena proper. But allegedly the adjacent parking lot next to it. lol #PFLvsBELLATOR
— Mikey Bats (@MikeJBknows) February 24, 2024
Horrible cage lighting for the PFL vs Bellator PPV. What the hell is this? What happened to their production value?
— Fight Ghost (@Fight_Ghost) February 24, 2024
Other fans pointed out the set-up, bad lighting inside the cage, and the lack of interest in general after multiple botches during the live broadcast as their reason not to buy the PFL vs Bellator PPV.
Pfl vs Bellator already a shit show and not a punch has been thrown. Their is no audio during the Champs vs Champs section on betting. Come on guys let’s not butcher a stellar card with amateur hour production. pic.twitter.com/KrydvUmX6D
— Jason Bermas (@JasonBermas) February 24, 2024
the pfl vs bellator cameras focused on some random girl thinking that was clarissa shields. a min later, they follow the real person. bad production
— Little Mac (@Martytude) February 24, 2024
Nw: Bellator vs PFL
The production is so awful… These guys will never catch the UFC
— THE BLACK MAN 🇨🇲 (@AstridBoupda) February 24, 2024
One fan even pointed out the major botch during Claressa Shields’s fight against Kelsey DeSantis, where the camera panned to the wrong person while her name was being announced.
What are your thoughts on the PFL vs Bellator event?