PFL boss: ‘The format’s working’
Carlos Silva: “We’re tracking at a 70 percent finish rate right now in PFL 1, 2, 3 and 4, I think that’s amazing. … I think that implies that these athletes are showing that they want to position themselves as to make the $1 million.”
Professional Fighters League president Carlos Silva appeared recently on MMAjunkie Radio and discussed the events unique tournament structure.
The PFL regular season sees athletes fighting for a place in the $1 million tournament. And the faster a fight is won, the more points towards the bracket are accrued. The idea is that it will encourage fighters to go for the finish. However, not all rule sets work as intended. ADCCs no points initially was an attempt to get players to go for it, but generally had the opposite effect. However, that’s not what Silva is seeing.
When we went into PFL 1, we weren’t really sure – it was new for all of us, said Silva. But I think, coming from PFL 1, to 2, to 3, I think all of the fighters started to look at what was happening and started to realize that it wasn’t just a win and a loss. It was a win, and how do you perform to get those bonus points, to give you the best shot to make the playoffs?
We’re tracking at a 70 percent finish rate right now in PFL 1, 2, 3 and 4, I think that’s amazing. And, for me, I think that implies that these athletes are showing that they want to position themselves as to make the $1 million and get into the playoffs and have a high seed.
I think the format’s working. I think the fighters recognize it and I think the fighters love that they’re in control of where they go. And I think we’ve seen it in all four of the fights, you’re absolutely going to see it again at PFL 5, there’s no doubt about it.
The main card of PFL 5 broadcasts on NBCSN, with the prelims streaming on Facebook Live.
The PFL finals will feature two fights in one night, a circumstance prohibited in many states.
We’re looking hard at California, because the California commission is very excited about us coming out there, said Silva. And I think as we get to the playoffs, that as you guys mentioned earlier, it’s two fights in one night – two rounds in the quarterfinals, then followed by three rounds in the semifinals – we’ve got to have that support from the commission to bring us there.
I think we’re looking at a number of West Coast commissions. We’re also looking at some commissions down south, in Louisiana and in Tennessee, as well. We’re going to release that in the next couple of weeks and I think that’s going to be exciting and I think the fans will be happy about it.
