Former UFC referee John McCarthy believes the Professional Fighters League (PFL) should close its heavyweight division and introduce a flyweight division.
"It's a glamour division with no talent. Let's just be honest, OK? Why do you have it? You have the ability to put in a flyweight division. You finally put in the bantamweights: way to go. That was a smart thing. Take the heavyweights, get rid of it," McCarthy said on his podcast.
Be honest, (the UFC's) whole (heavyweight) lineup, it's just not that good. You can take a look at the PFL's lineup. Yes, Francis (Ngannou) is a good fighter. Yes, Vadim (Nemkov) is a good fighter. You've got a couple in there. (Valentin) Moldavsky is good, (Denis) Goltsov just got beat by a light heavyweight in Corey Anderson. Get rid of it. All it does is cost you way more money than it's worth for your promotion.
Vadim Nemkov last fought American Timothy Johnson in January 2025 at the PFL Champions Series event in Dubai. That fight, which was stopped in the first round, ended with Nemkov winning by a submission. His record stands at 18 wins and two losses, with one no contest.
Francis Ngannou last entered the cage in October 2024 at the PFL Super Fights – Battle of the Giants event, where he defeated Renan Ferreira by first-round knockout. Ngannou’s record is 18 wins and three losses.
