Since 2018, the Professional Fighters League has been a true game-changer in the combat sports world. The organization has given fans a true alternative, focusing on unique stats showcased on the fan's TV screen. Part of the innovation is its tournament system.
Using knockouts, submissions, and decision wins to track points, the system determines who advances to the playoffs. It can lead to showing a fighter's desperate side, forcing them to do whatever it takes to win. As a result, there have been big knockouts and dramatic upsets.
This year, the PFL Playoffs begin on August 4. The playoffs last until the end of August and will take place at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, and The Hulu Theater in New York. The semi-final fights determine who will make it to the PFL Finals.
All bouts will air on ESPN+ in the U.S. and DAZN in the U.K.
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Here’s a full rundown of how the PFL operates regarding the playoffs.
How many divisions are in the PFL?
The PFL currently has six divisions competing for gold and $1 million:
- Heavyweight
- Light Heavyweight
- Welterweight
- Lightweight
- Featherweight (men and women's)
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How the PFL Playoffs format works
After the regular season, four of the top competitors in each division via the points system move to the semi-finals.
There will be two three-round bouts in each division, with the winner going to the finals, per The Sun. If a bout ends in a draw, it will be up to the judges to decide who had the most complete performance. If the process is not approved, the winner will be the one who won the first round on the scorecards.
MORE: PFL Playoffs 2023 Bracket
The number one seed fights the number four seed, while the second seed faces the third seed. If a fighter gets removed due to injury or other means, the next-seeded fighter will step up. Chris Wade, who was ranked fifth, was allowed to compete against second-ranked Gabriel Braga when third-ranked Movlid Khaybulaev got removed from the tournament due to injury.
The winner of each playoff bout will make it to the finals, contested in a five-round affair. When a winner is determined via the judges' discretion, that fighter will win a title from their division and $1 million.