The acquisition of Bellator MMA by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in November 2023 has sparked a series of disputes and challenges within the mixed martial arts community. Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is the latest to raise concerns about pay disputes and contractual issues since the merger.
Lima’s frustration stems from what he perceives as a lack of action from the PFL regarding his next fight. Despite his recent victory over Costello van Steenis at Bellator 296, Lima claims to have been sidelined for approximately a year without any fights scheduled. He alleges that the PFL is hesitant to honor the final fight of his Bellator contract, citing concerns about his purse being too high.
In a tweet, Lima expressed his disappointment, noting that his previous opponent, van Steenis, is now in contention for a title shot while he remains inactive. He tagged both Bellator MMA and the PFL in his message, indicating his desire for resolution.
Lima’s claims echo similar grievances from other Bellator stars, including Cris Cyborg and Gegard Mousasi, who have accused the PFL of delaying fights and pressuring fighters to accept lower pay than stipulated in their contracts. Despite these allegations, PFL founder Donn Davis has maintained that their relationship with the fighters is sound.
In response to Lima’s concerns, veteran matchmaker Mike Kogan, a former Bellator executive now with the PFL, assured that Lima’s career aspirations would be supported.
Kogan emphasized Lima’s impressive career and expressed the PFL’s willingness to facilitate his move to the middleweight division and pursue another title run in Bellator.
As the dust settles from the Bellator-PFL merger, the MMA community continues to monitor developments surrounding fighter contracts, pay disputes, and the relationship between the two organizations. Lima’s case underscores the complexities and challenges faced by fighters steering the evolving professional mixed martial arts.
