The PFL revealed an official date and location for its 2022 Championship Finals on Wednesday, as well as an intent to enter the pay-per-view business for the first time in company history.
The 2022 PFL World Championships, which the promotion has dubbed ‘MMA’s Richest Night,’ will take place on Nov. 25 inside Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. The event will air on PPV on ESPN+ for a price to be announced.
Two-time PFL lightweight champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison (15-0) will headline the event in a trilogy bout against Larissa Pacheco (18-4). The rest of the eight-fight main PPV card will consist of five other tournament finals, as well as two showcase fights, including a featherweight matchup between Shane Burgos and Marlon Moraes.
“The stage doesn’t get any bigger than ESPN+ PPV in primetime, staged live from New York City at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a released statement. “This special PPV holiday event is stacked with star talent and championship drama as PFL will deliver fans six world title fights with six belts and $6 million on the line.”
The PFL emerged in 2017, following a rebrand of World Series of Fighting. It is the only major MMA organization to follow a regular season, playoffs format. It is financially backed by several major investors, including celebrities and sports figures.
Throughout 2022, PFL executives have hinted at an upcoming PPV debut. The UFC traditionally promotes one PPV per month. Bellator MMA, which currently airs on Showtime, has not promoted a PPV event since 2017.
In addition to Harrison in the main event, some of the other higher profile championship matchups on Nov. 25 include a 145-pound matchup between England’s Brendan Loughnane and Bubba Jenkins and a 155-pound finals between Canada’s Olivier Aubin-Mercier and Stevie Ray.