See the MMA community’s thoughts on the 2022 PFL Championships — the PFL’s first attempt at a pay-per-view card.
The PFL ended its 2022 campaign with a bold move, as its 2022 PFL Championships card, which took place on Nov. 25 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, marked the first time the promotion attempted a pay-per-view broadcast.
Following a five-fight preliminary card that aired on ESPN+, topped by Marlon Moraes vs. Sheymon Moraes, the promotion presented the six-season title fights — plus a women’s featherweight showcase bout featuring Julia Budd and Aspen Ladd — exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view for $49.99.
While the PFL has its fanbase, unique season-and-playoff format, and $1 million prizes for the tournament champions, the decision to mark up the event as a pay-per-view for that price has been considered questionable among fans and pundits.
Ultimately, the PFL Championships card had its highlights and a great quality of fights; however, the $49.99 price tag still seemed to be a concern after the event’s conclusion.
The event caused further debate after its main event when Kayla Harrison — considered the face of the PFL — lost for the first time in her MMA career when she dropped a unanimous decision to Larissa Pacheco.
Twitter reacts to the first-ever PFL pay-per-view
While the decision to go on PPV is still questionable, the PFL has to be happy with that finale. They went out in 2022 with a pretty solid bang. Good supporting fights as well. #PFLWorldChampionship
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) November 26, 2022
This is been a pretty polished PFL PPV overall, I must say. Good pacing, fights mostly delivering. Two title fights to go. #PFLWorldChampionship
— Scott Fontana (@Scott_Fontana) November 26, 2022
The good news for the PFL is that it gives them a fight to market for the next PPV
— Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) November 26, 2022
Considering they built this thing around Kayla, that’s probably it for PFL PPV.
— Johnny T. (@MisterTightlips) November 26, 2022
That was a mostly fun card. Kudos to PFL PPV pacing, which was mostly pretty alright.
— Suzanne (@SoozieCuzie) November 26, 2022
This event has been a big success for PFL. If only they had made their next final PPV instead of this one,premature move.
— MMA watcher (@MMAwatcher5) November 26, 2022
RIP PFL ⚰ your first ever PPV was priced at 50 dollars with the face of the company suffering her first L in the main event. You had a good run but this is where it ends pic.twitter.com/m2S43dwZQv
— RUSH HOUR MMA (@MMARushHour) November 26, 2022
Hey PFL no more PPVs come on didn’t you see Ariel’s poll with 21k ppl (91% voting no) on not buying your PPV 🤦♂️ @arielhelwani pic.twitter.com/bSOnZq9DF8
— ×𝐄𝐕𝐢𝐥 𝐄𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐞× (@XEVilEddieX) November 26, 2022
Kayla Harrison losing in PFL’s first ppv is SOOOOOOOOOOOO mma
— Zay Bruh (@checklefthook1) November 26, 2022
What a massive disappointment. PFL has built EVERYTHING around Kayla and to get this performance in a PPV built around her is terrible. #PFLWorldChampionships
— Why are you reading this (@509Kingofkings) November 26, 2022
https://twitter.com/chacatoast/status/1596353426396282881
All the PFL athletes are amazing but damn @PFLMMA you messing up with this 50 dollar PPV, should had made it around 25 or 30 and major buys would had happened, oh well.
— aljah rios (@akasteezus) November 26, 2022
The co-main event of the PFL PPV card featured Brendan Loughnane defeating Bubba Jenkins to capture the PFL featherweight championship.
Other champions crowned this evening included Ante Delija (heavyweight), Olivier Aubin-Mercier (lightweight), Sadibou Sy (welterweight) and Rob Wilkinson (light heavyweight).