The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the 2021 PFL World Championship will take place on Wednesday, October 27 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Finalists across six divisions face off for a world title and $1 million purse live on ESPN networks and streaming platforms.
An evening of six world championship fights will feature the return of two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields to PFL.
Shields, a three-division champion, is coming off a thrilling come-from-behind TKO victory in her MMA debut in June and will face 21-year-old Abigail Montes.
The Mexico native brings a perfect record to the SmartCage and is quickly climbing the Latin American female rankings.
"There is no better place to welcome fans back in-person than at the 2021 PFL World Championship as $6 million and six world titles will be up for grabs on October 27,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
“The biggest night in MMA gets boosted by the return of Claressa Shields to the PFL SmartCage, and we can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable night for the more than 550 million MMA fans around the world with our great partners at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and ESPN.”
The 12 PFL World Championship fighters will be determined this month as the league hosts three win-or-go-home playoff events on Aug. 13, 19 and 27 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
The action kicks off this Friday at 5:30pm ET on ESPN2 and streaming platforms as former world champions Ray Cooper III and Rory MacDonald headline the first playoff event which features the top contenders across the welterweight and lightweight divisions.
Kayla Harrison, the 2019 PFL Champion, begins her postseason journey next Thursday, August 19 against Genah Fabian as the women’s lightweight and heavyweight action is set to hit the PFL SmartCage on ESPN. The final PFL Playoff will feature the top-four fighters across the featherweight and light heavyweight divisions, airing live on ESPN2 on Friday, August 27.
