The PFL’s lightweight standings have been revised following the promotion’s most recent event this past weekend (June 23, 2023).
The bantamweight and lightweight contenders took center stage at the PFL’s final event in Atlanta, Georgia and 6th in 2023. In the initial part of the card, two of the promotion’s former 155-pound champions, Nathan Schulte and Rausch Manifo, met inside the cage.
Unfortunately for both men, the pairing was less than perfect as they are best friends and fellow trainees for the American Top Team (ATT) in Florida. In the end, Schulte won the bout by unanimous decision, which initially earned him the fourth seed in the divisional standings and a spot in the playoffs. However, the PFL revealed after the event that Schulte and Manfew’s performances did not meet “PFL standards” and they were suspended for the rest of the year. Schulte was now replaced in the playoffs by Shane Burgos despite having an equal number of points (three) and one more win (two) in the regular season. Normally, a two-decision win by Schulte would have equaled Schulte’s six total regular season points, but not this time.
Suckerpunch Entertainment’s Manfio Director, Brian Butler-Au, can’t help but feel like the whole situation has been mishandled.
“Making a subjective decision like that from a promoter betting on his claim to defend fighters is just bad looks, in my opinion,” said Butler. MMA fighting. The judges make bad calls all the time with less repercussions. Raush and Natan are best friends and have been each other’s exclusive training partners for years. Natan is godfather to Rosh’s daughter. To say they know each other’s styles, tricks, and techniques inside and out is a gross understatement.
“Instances like poorly styled matches and lackluster fights happen in this sport all the time, but the unique thing about the PFL and the ‘tournament/points format’ is that it will sort itself out eventually,” he concluded. “Our client got half his pay and zero points to proceed with the tournament. This is distasteful and unnecessary.”
Schulte is a two-time NBA Champion under the $1 Million Championship. The promotion will likely need to do some relationship repair if it hopes to keep both it and Manview under its banner for 2024.
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