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Gegard Mousasi has been released from his contract with PFL and Bellator after threatening legal action over unresolved issues with the organization. On Thursday, officials from both promotions confirmed Mousasi's release.
“Bellator has released Gegard Mousasi from his agreement. We wish him all the best in his next fighting chapter,” stated Mike Kogan, head of fighter operations, in a statement from the organization.
Mousasi, a former two-time middleweight champion in Bellator, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction since Bellator was acquired by PFL at the end of 2023. He claimed that PFL executives told him his salary was too high based on a contract he signed under Bellator's previous ownership. Additionally, he alleged that communication from PFL had been virtually nonexistent, leaving him in limbo regarding future fights.3
During an appearance on The MMA Hour on Wednesday, Mousasi escalated his complaints and hinted at legal action due to the ongoing contract issues and the lack of fight bookings since PFL's acquisition of Bellator in December.
Following his remarks, Mousasi's contract was terminated. His management team responded to the release with a statement.
“We will not comment on the merits of the alleged release at this time for obvious reasons,” stated Nima Safapour, founder of Moments Sports Consultancy. “However, we believe there is a greater lesson here that our community should pay close attention to. For an organization that repeatedly claims to be ‘fighter first,’ we now truly see how PFL treats their fighters, especially their legends.”
At 38 years old, Mousasi is now a free agent. He remains eager to continue his career after being a top contender in the UFC before joining Bellator in 2017, where he became a two-time middleweight champion. His most recent fight, a decision loss to Fabian Edwards in May 2023, marked his final appearance under the Bellator banner.
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