CHICAGO – PFL president Ray Sefo isn’t certain the place the communication breakdown occurred with Gegard Mousasi however assures that the promotion desires to have him compete quickly.
Mousasi (49-9-2), hasn’t competed since final Might in a unanimous resolution loss to Fabian Edwards at Bellator 296. The previous Bellator and Strikeforce champion lately instructed MMA Junkie that he’s annoyed along with his present state of affairs after PFL acquired Bellator, since he has but to compete and doesn’t have a combat scheduled.
“I’ve been coaching out and in just a little bit as a result of I don’t get any information from the PFL or Bellator – individuals suppose I’m retired, really,” Mousasi instructed MMA Junkie. “I’m ready for a combat. I’ve a contract with them but it surely appears like they don’t really feel obligated to the contract.”
Following 2024 PFL 3, Sefo addressed Mousasi’s feedback, stating that Mousasi has been supplied at the very least one combat within the mild heavyweight division.
“Once I first talked to his supervisor about it, I had a proposal for him to combat at 205, and he turned it down,” Sefo instructed reporters throughout a post-event information convention. “I don’t know the place that miscommunication was, however they requested for sure individuals, and people individuals weren’t on the cardboard, after which after all, as any card goes alongside, you match it right now, and hope for the very best that no person will get injured.
“All through that champions vs. champions, I feel we had like three or 4 guys fall out because of accidents and whatnot. Sure issues needed to occur, and we needed to pull sure individuals in. However yeah, a proposal was supplied to his supervisor from me they usually turned it down. He mentioned, ‘No.’”
Mousasi, 38, additionally said that PFL has not responded to his supervisor’s efforts to contact him about reserving a combat, describing it as “radio silence.” He additionally felt that he has been pressured to “take a pay minimize” with a purpose to compete.
“The issue is my supervisor tried to contact them they usually don’t even reply,” Mousasi mentioned. “There’s no effort to advertise or get me a combat. It’s radio silence with them. Individuals suppose I’m retired. They’re making an attempt to be No. 2 group on the earth, however I feel at the very least what they’ll do is inform me what their plans are with me.”
Whereas Sefo didn’t tackle Mousasi’s remark about pay, he says the PFL intends to have Mousasi combat for the promotion this yr. Nevertheless, particulars have to be ironed out to create one thing that is smart for all events concerned.
“Yeah, completely,” Sefo mentioned when requested if the promotion desires Mousasi to compete. “It’s simply we acquired to take a seat down and work out what is smart and go from there.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for PFL 2024, Week 3.
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