Ray Sefo says big upsets are '1,000 percent positive' for PFL brand

Despite some of the promotion’s biggest stars losing their opening bouts in the 2021 PFL season, Ray Sefo is unconcerned.

In fact, the PFL president thinks it’s a good thing that some of the heavy betting favorites have faltered, as it has resulted in some thoroughly entertaining moments.

In the first three weeks of the 2021 PFL season, we’ve seen the likes of former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, two-time PFL champions Natan Schulte and Lance Palmer, and former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum all fall short in their respective bouts.

“It’s 1,000 percent positive,” Sefo said at Thursday’s 2021 PFL 3 post-fight news conference. “People tune in because they want to see fights, and they want to see entertainment. When I said I have one of the best seats in the house, and when I see fighters go out there and look to finish and earn those six points, it’s exciting.”

Up next in terms of big storylines for the promotion is the highly anticipated MMA debut of Claressa Shields, who will venture out on a new journey when she takes on Brittney Elkin on June 10 at the 2021 PFL 4 event, and Sefo is expecting big things from the multiple-time boxing world champion.

“Claressa Shields will make her debut June 10, which it would be the second round of the regular season,” Sefo said. “Listen, Claressa Shields is a super amazing athlete. She’s a two-time gold medalist, a three-time boxing world champion, and it’s her debut, and I expect nothing but the best of Claressa Shields in there.”