The lineup for the second phase of the PFL’s regular season changed dramatically when 10 fighters failed drug tests after the organization’s first three events in 2023.
The light heavyweight field was notably affected, with defending champion Rob Wilkinson being one of four athletes – along with Thiago Santos, Will Flory and Krzysztof Gutko – to be excluded from the campaign as a result of failed drug tests.
One fighter still in contention for the light heavyweight crown is Ty Flores, who came away with a unanimous decision victory against Dylan Monty at PFL 1. The Elevation Fight representative wasn’t surprised to see several of his peers tested positive for banned substances.
“I don’t think the PFL is alone in that,” Flores said on PFL 4’s media day. “People will cheat in sports. There will always be cheaters no matter what. I would never be shocked, especially in a sport like mixed martial arts.”
Flores added that he noticed that some of those PFL lightweights could have been improved on the basis of their looks alone.
“Have you looked at these guys? We’re talking about [how] You want a level playing field. I almost feel like I’m the only guy who isn’t
[using PEDs],” he said. “I don’t know if you guys were seeing the same thing as I was, but Jesus Christ, those guys were huge.”
He was originally scheduled to face Flores Wilkinson in PFL 4, but will now face Dan Spoon on short notice Thursday at the Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta.
“It’s a little disappointing,” Flores said. “I was going to take on the former champ. It was exciting because I think he was the most experienced guy in the division. I was looking forward to it because it was a chance to prove myself.”
Wilkinson was a standout in 2022 by winning the PFL Championship after a short stint with the UFC. Flores can see why some people think the victory is now tarnished, but he also points out that Wilkinson was not alone in his transgressions.
“Depending on how you look at it [it could]. He was blown away but how many of these guys in the last year have been on to something? Flores said. “The vast majority of them have actually lost, so this is not the end, be it all. I don’t think it helps you fight better, but I do think it helps you recover a little bit more.”