Professional Fighters League has tapped into some unique global markets, and a surge in partisan sentiment could guide their next destination, potentially, as we head into this weekend’s headlining bout in the Smart Cage. PFL CEO John Martin appeared on Bowks Talking Bouts to cover several subjects ahead of PFL’s Summer Series, with PFL San Diego kicking things off on Saturday, June 27th.
When partisan pugilist Patrick Habirora competed on the PFL Brussels card, that is something that comes to mind in this context. Also, combative compatriot Costello Van Steenis has made waves with the PFL Madrid effort too, as the company contemplates other global business to tap into. When asked how much Salamat Isbulaev possibly winning over someone as tenured as AJ McKee could be a driving force to something like PFL Kazakhstan transpiring, Martin said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“Yeah, it can be. I don’t want to share the territory yet but we’ve gotten some expressions of interest from that part of the world which I think is fascinating and so look, I think we are committed to the best fighting the best. We’re not protecting any fighters and if Salamat comes in here; when I first saw him, I saw him in his win over Jesus Pinedo, that was an explosive fight. He’s an explosive fighter and I think he’s going to give AJ a real run for his money. AJ of course is somebody, I’ve been following [his] career now for a long time.”
“So, I think it’s a great matchup, great matchup for the top of the card. I want to be filling a championship in that weight class by the end of this year. I think for us, the 145 pound weight class is pretty deep. So, I’m excited to expose that more. But yes, so if Salamat wins and we get some expressions of interest, we’ll take our promotion anywhere.”
PFL San Diego’s main event is a microcosm for how unpredictable the stories of this sport can be
During a BTB conducted media day interview with AJ McKee, ‘The Mercenary’ expressed a defined interest in capturing PFL gold to add another strap to a mantle that already includes a Bellator MMA belt. When responding to the PFL CEO’s desire to establish a featherweight champion by year’s end and characterizing that as something that McKee would likely be pleased to hear, Martin stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“100% and he’s still; I mean, look, he’s a veteran in the sport. Very, very accomplished as you said. But I’ve gotten the opportunity to spend some time with him and he’s hungry. So, the great thing about my job is, I used to be in storytelling and entertainment. You know what the plot is and the ending. In this one, you can set it up, but you don’t know what the ending is going to be.”
“Then as the promotion, all we have to do then is react to whatever happens. But, this is a fight that I don’t know who’s going to win that one. But I think it’s going to be really exciting no matter what.”
