PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis continues to battle what he’s branded “disinformation” in the mixed martial arts community.
2024 turned out to be a mixed year for the Professional Fighters League, a promotion that entered it off the back of acquiring rival organization Bellator MMA.
While that brought across prominent champions and plenty of notable fighters, the past 12 months have been littered with issues relating to the merger, from complaints over unpaid medical expenses from before the PFL purchased Bellator to canceled events.
The ultimately failed Bellator Champions Series didn’t produce the number of cards or title fights that were laid out at the start of last year, leaving champions like Patricio Freire and Patchy Mix without their desired level of activity. Both have even publicly requested their releases.
PFL higher-ups haven’t spoken on the complaints from ex-Bellator athletes in recent times. Davis, for one, has instead continued to tout his promotion’s achievements in 2024 and dismiss any suggestion that fighters have been left in the cold.
And in his latest post, the 62-year-old commented on another seemingly disgruntled Bellator name, Aaron Pico.
During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Pico’s manager stated that his man is now a free agent entering 2025 and is looking for regular fights having not competed since the PFL vs. Bellator event 11 months ago.
But despite inactivity seemingly bothering the 28-year-old featherweight, Davis claimed a “major” deal and title fight is on the table for Pico.
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“2025 hopefully brings less MMA noise and disinformation,” Davis wrote, before addressing Pico’s situation. “@PFLMMA has offered Pico title fight and major new contract … We love Aaron and look forward to him having big fights at #PFL for the long-term.”
Pico was expected to challenge “Pitbull” on New Year’s Eve before that became the latest event to fall by the wayside.
It remains to be seen what will come next for the decorated wrestler, who has won his last three fights opposite James Gonzalez, Pedro Carvalho, and James Kennedy.
