After a lackluster fight between good friends Natan Schulte and Rausch Manifo at PFL 6 in Atlanta, Georgia Friday night, the Professional Fighters League suspended both athletes — disqualifying them from the postseason.
The surprise move comes after the Brazilian duo, who had expressed their dissatisfaction with facing each other during the regular season before the game, competed in what amounted to a low-action match on the PFL 6 preliminary card. Schulte would go on to get the win, and (temporarily, as it turned out) a break point, but was seen in tears after the fight.
Schulte is godfather to Rausch Manifu’s daughter.
In a statement released on Saturday, league officials explained their decision to award Shine Burgos a playoff spot.
Last night Natan Schulte and Rausch Manifu did not meet the standards all PFL fighters have agreed to live up to in competition.
All fighters in PFL fight agreements agree to use their “best efforts…skills and abilities as a professional athlete to compete…and defeat any opponent.”
It was very clear that Natan and Rausch did not meet this contractual standard in yesterday’s match.
The PFL immediately suspended both fighters from the season and deemed the fight to have 0 points for league standings purposes.
The PFL is taking this action in recognition of its responsibility to all PFL Fighters and all PFL fans.
In an interview with Cageside Press before the fight, Manfio described the hold as a “terrible situation” and a “nasty upset”. Matchmaking was quickly criticized by fans who questioned the need to pair the two during the regular season, which unlike the postseason is not booked by rating.
Meanwhile, Burgos jumped into the playoffs after earning three points for their first win under the NFL pennant. The former UFC featherweight, who now competes in the lightweight division, won by unanimous decision against Yamato Nishikawa.