
Donn Davis Talks 2025 PFL World Tournament Changes, Upsets And More
The Professional Fighters League is in the early stages of its 2025 World Tournament. This week, the promotion is in Orlando, Florida, for Week 3 of the tournament, which features the first-round matchups in the middleweight and lightweight divisions. Three former PFL tournament winners are involved in this week's event. PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis answered some questions about the current PFL Tournament ahead of Friday's event, which ESPN will carry live.
The first two events of the 2025 PFL World Tournament took place on April 3 and April 11 at Universal Studios in Orlando. That site also hosts the upcoming April 18 event. Unlike the first two cards, which streamed on ESPN+, the PFL World Tournament 2025 3 fight card will be carried on ESPN proper while also streaming on ESPN+.
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 03: Jason Jackson celebrates after fighting against Andrey Koreshkov during the ... More first round of the PFL 2025 World Tournament at Universal Studios on April 3, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by)
Davis told Forbes he is happy with the viewership numbers of this year's first two fight cards, "Yes, we're very pleased," said Davis. "Across our global media partners, digital platforms, we have seen a significant uptick from last season, and it shows that fans are responding to the fresh look of the PFL World Tournament and the stakes that surround each fight.We also have seen that MMA fans viewing habits are now heavily streaming-focused, and we are seeing growth there."
In previous years, the PFL moved things around for its first-round events, hosting the fight cards in different cities. This year, the promotion decided to hold its first four events in the same location, Universal Studious in Orlando, Florida, before hitting the road for the future rounds of the tournament.
"By holding the first round of our 2025 World Tournament at Universal Studios Florida, we've created a high-quality production environment to launch this historic change in our format," Davis said of staying in Florida for the first round. "This residency streamlines our logistics, enhances the global broadcast, and gives us a controlled setting that allows us to put on our best product."
The decision to hold the first-round events in one location was not the only change the PFL made heading into the 2025 PFL World Tournament. One of the more attention-grabbing changes was the prize for winning the tournament went from $1 million to $500,000.
"Let's be clear: $500,000 is still the highest tournament prize in MMA today," said Davis. "And in 2025, through the $20 million total prize pool, we're investing more broadly across fighter pay, including higher base purses and performance incentives. It's about creating sustainable careers. Our model puts more fighters in position to earn more, more often. That's real progress for the sport."
The first two events of the year have seen upsets and weight misses, knocking some of the early betting favorites from the tournament; this is something the PFL has taken in stride and perhaps expected and even looked forward to in the case of the upsets.
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 11: Liz Carmouche speaks with Dan Hardy after defeating Ilara Joanne during the ... More first round of the PFL 2025 World Tournament at Universal Studios on April 11, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by)
"This is the beauty and the brutality of a world tournament. You've got to make weight. You've got to win. No politics. No picking and choosing opponents. It's win or go home," said Davis. "While unfortunate, it also creates room for new stars to emerge and showcases the depth of global talent in our roster. That's what makes our format so compelling. You've already seen upsets also, like Ekaterina Shakalova from Ukraine, or Justin Wetzell, who was the biggest betting underdog I can remember. You never know what will happen."
The 2025 PFL World Tournament 3 fight card takes place on Friday, April 18. We will have live results for both the prelims and main card. Prelims begin at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN+, while the ESPN main card starts at 7 p.m. ET.
HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - AUGUST 16: Impa Kasanganay gestures after his light heavyweight fight against ... More Josh Silveira during the PFL 2024 Playoffs at Hard Rock Live in Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on August 16, 2024 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by)
2023 light heavyweight tournament winner and 2024 PFL 2105-pound tournament finalist Impa Kasanganay vs. former Bellator title middleweight title challenger Fabian Edwards headlines Friday's event. Also on the main card is the winner of the 2024 lightweight tournament, Gadzhi Rabadanov, who faces former UFC fighter Marc Diakiese. 2022 welterweight PFL tournament winner Sadibou Sy is also part of the main card. He faces Dalton Rosta.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
6 hours ago
- USA Today
49ers linked to trio of best remaining NFL free agents
San Francisco training camp is officially underway from the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, Calif. That means the 49ers' 2025 NFL season is finally getting close. As San Francisco ramps up for the campaign ahead during training camp, there could still be a move or two left by the front office before the season arrives. Pro Football Network likes three of the best remaining NFL free agents as potential fits with the 49ers. PFN included free agent wide receivers Amari Cooper and Gabe Davis and free agent running back Jeff Wilson Jr. as players that would make sense in San Francisco. Cooper reeled in 44 catches for 547 yards and four scores a season ago across 14 games with the Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills. The five-time Pro Bowler would make sense for a 49ers squad that doesn't have a timetable for Brandon Aiyuk's return and that has another top receiver in Jauan Jennings angling for a contract extension. Here's what PFN said about Cooper and a possible with with the 49ers: Arguably the top free agent still available, Amari Cooper has a tremendous track record and was a Pro Bowl just two seasons ago. Though he had 1,250 receiving yards in 2023, he dipped down to 547 yards between stints in Cleveland and Buffalo in 2024. Neither team used him as the top target he had previously been. Cooper deserves a chance at a starting role to prove he still has a lot left in the tank. The five-time Pro Bowl could make sense for WR-needy teams pushing for a deep playoff run like the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. - PFN Another option at wide receiver could be Davis. Still just 26 years old, Davis was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars just one season into a three-year, $39 million contract after a disappointing 2024 campaign where he caught just 20 passes for 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns. It was easily the least productive season of Davis' career to this point and it concluded with a season-ending torn meniscus after just 10 games played. Maybe that sets the 49ers up to land Davis at a discount, though. Davis is only 26 years old, so he should have plenty of football left in him, even after his injury. He would be best suited in an offense that allows him to maximize his vertical capabilities. That said, keep an eye on some playoff contenders to consider him on a discounted one-year deal before he signs another contract next offseason. - PFN Lastly, PFN linked San Francisco to Wilson. The 29-year-old began his career as an undrafted free agent with the 49ers where he was San Francisco's leading rusher during the 2020 season with 126 carries for 600 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Wilson had just 16 carries last season with the Dolphins and a return to San Francisco is a fit that might make sense for all parties. The 49ers still have $45.3 million in effective cap space according to Over The Cap.


USA Today
12 hours ago
- USA Today
Demario Davis talks relationship with Saints fans, expedition to Paris
The New Orleans Saints have had a few international games over the years, with 2008, 2017, and 2022 matchups in London. The NFL has had a clear vision to push further into the international market in recent years, tying teams to respective countries to try and build strong followings for those teams in other nations, and so far, it has worked quite well. Many teams got a few markets, but were paired up with others trying to vie for the same nation. The Saints were awarded just one when it came to the Global Markets Program in 2025, but that one was France, which is an absolutely enormous country to explore on their own. It makes total sense given the deep-seated French culture throughout Louisiana, and gives them an opportunity to expand their fandom further into Europe. Linebacker Demario Davis was the ambassador of this program for the Saints, travelling to Paris to bridge the gap across the Atlantic Ocean. Locked on Saints host Ross Jacksonhighlighted Davis' comments from his media appearance, where the legendary linebacker said he felt he was representing the team when he made the trip over to Paris, and is now doing the inverse when coming back to Louisiana. He is also pushing for a game in France for the Saints, which would be a huge chance to bolster their international outreach. In the same press conference, Davis expressed gratitude for the support he's received from the Saints fanbase and his recent experience overseas. "The energy was," Davis began, "Our fans are always great. I think, it's no secret, New Orleans has the best fans in the world, and I think it's just because they genuinely care about the state of the team, they care, they watch it, they care about the position battles, they care about the coaching, they care about the personnel that's being brought in. "Like its not just fans that show up on Sunday, it's fans who are watching the transactions, they're watching the practices, they're watching progressions, and I think because we have a fanbase that's tapped in like that, it's always gonna be love, and it's no different today." Now he returns to Louisiana for training camp, but will continue to push for more international outreach, as the Saints look to land a game abroad in 2026. With three seasons between then and their last game across the pond, there is plenty of opportunity for them to pick one up as the NFL chooses who they believe should make an impact in Europe each season.

NBC Sports
18 hours ago
- NBC Sports
Eagles DT Jordan Davis lost 26 pounds this offseason
Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis is hoping less is more this season. Reporters at Wednesday's opening practice of training camp noted that Davis looked slimmer than he did when the Eagles were winning the Super Bowl in New Orleans in February. Davis confirmed that was the case at a Thursday press conference and said he currently weighs 330 pounds, which is down 26 pounds from where he was playing last season. Davis said he thought it was time to make a change for both football and overall life reasons. He said it feels 'amazing' and that he believes he's still as powerful as he was at the higher weight. 'I'm still that Jordan Davis,' Davis said. 'I'm still gonna be that anchor. I'm still gonna be that same player. But knowing that with this new weight, I can do a lot more. I can move a lot more on passing reps. I'm gonna be expected to add that. And that's just what's been communicated with me from the top down. And honestly, I'm here for it. I'm ready for it. I'm just ready to go.' The Eagles exercised Davis's fifth-year option for 2026, so he's not in a contract year, but adding pass rush potency to what he's brought to the table as a run-stuffing starter in the middle of the line might help speed up extension talks to keep him in Philadelphia.