PFL allowing its fighters to compete elsewhere while on hiatus (just not in UFC or Bellator)

Earlier today (Mon., Nov. 9, 2020), it was reported that Professional Fighters League (PFL) women’s Lightweight champion, Kayla Harrison, would make the drop down to Featherweight to face Courtney King in the co-main event of Invicta FC 43 on Fri., Nov. 20, 2020.

So how was this cross-promotion bout made possible?

According to ESPN’s Ariel Helwani, PFL is allowing its fighters to find fights outside of the promotion while it is on hiatus because of COVID 19, as long as it’s not with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) or Bellator MMA.

“PFL is allowing its fighters to seek fights outside the promotion since they are on hiatus until next year, sources say. UFC and Bellator aren’t options, though,” stated the report. “Manager Malki Kawa, for example, tells me he is seeking fights for clients Brendan Loughnane and Justin Willis.”

When it comes to cross-promotion, UFC head honcho, Dana White, has never been (and likely never will be) a fan of it, much to the chagrin of fight fans across the globe. So that option was taken away from PFL fighters regardless. As far as Scott Coker — Bellator’s lead man — he has been more open to it, staging numerous fights in partnership with RIZIN.

PFL — which recently cut a third of its roster — is looking to mount a comeback sometime in spring 2021 after canceling its previous season as a result of the ongoing pandemic.