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The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is shaking things up for 2025. PFL Chairman and founder Donn Davis announced on Monday that elbows will now be permitted in every fight across the organization. This change marks a significant shift in the promotion's rules, enhancing its appeal for fighters and fans alike.
Since its launch in 2018, the PFL has prohibited using elbows during its regular season and playoffs. This decision was largely aimed at addressing the challenges of the league’s unique format, which requires fighters to compete multiple times within a short timeframe. Elbows were allowed only in non-season and non-playoff bouts, with the concern being that cuts caused by elbow strikes could lead to medical suspensions, hindering a fighter’s ability to advance in the tournament.
Former PFL commentator Yves Edwards supported this ban when it was implemented. In a 2018 interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Edwards explained,
“Cuts often lead to lengthy medical suspensions, which would prevent a fighter from advancing to the next round, even if they won their fight.”
The policy started to evolve in November 2024, when elbows were permitted during the PFL’s final event of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ten champions were crowned under the revised rules, showcasing how elbows could add excitement and unpredictability to fights.
Now, the PFL is taking a bold step by making elbows legal in all bouts, including regular season, playoff, and championship fights. This adjustment aligns the organization more closely with other major MMA promotions, offering fighters a fuller range of striking techniques. For fans, this change promises even more thrilling and dynamic battles inside the cage.
The decision signifies the PFL’s commitment to adapting and evolving its rules to enhance the overall MMA experience, maintaining its reputation as one of the most innovative promotions in the sport.
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