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Following PFL's acquisition of Bellator MMA at the end of 2023, the promotion promised a new era of mixed martial arts. However, for Mousasi, this new era has been marred by frustration over a lack of fights and communication from the organization. After attending a PFL event in Paris without making any progress in booking a fight, the former Bellator middleweight champion has reached his breaking point.
“At this moment, I’m like, listen, if someone doesn’t want me, I’m like, ‘F*** it. Let’s go.’ But my team around me is like, ‘F*** it, we’ll sue them.’ If it was up to me, I would just go, but I don’t know. We’ll see. The team around me is not that happy. So I think there is going to be legal action against them."
Mousasi has not competed since dropping a decision to Fabian Edwards at Bellator 296 in May 2023. The former champion signed a new contract with Bellator before the acquisition, but he claims PFL officials were unaware of this contract. This oversight has left Mousasi without a fight offer.
“Yeah, [I feel disrespected] because they don’t even want to pick up the phone and talk to us,” Mousasi continued. “It’s not even funny anymore. It’s the worst organization so far. I’ve fought in a lot of organizations, this is the worst one.”
Mousasi believes financial issues are behind the lack of communication and fight opportunities. He suggests that PFL is struggling to pay Bellator fighters, who typically command higher salaries.
“I think they bought Bellator but they don’t have the financial means to pay the fighters,” Mousasi said. “Whoever is not necessary, they will just not let them fight. Especially fighters that make a lot of money. Because Bellator fighters make more."
The 38-year-old fighter expressed his reluctance to engage in legal battles during the twilight of his career, but he feels he may have no other choice if PFL continues to stonewall him.
“I’ve talked to legal counsel, I’ve talked to managers, lawyers, other people who worked for Bellator, I know I have a contract,” Mousasi said.
As Mousasi prepares to potentially take legal action, the MMA world watches closely, eager to see if PFL will address his grievances and allow him to fight again.
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