PFL boss John Martin hasn’t even been in the job a year, but he seems to have already roused something in his fighters.
That’s the word from top lightweight contender Archie Colgan, whose shot at Usman Nurmagomedov’s belt was finally announced this week for New York on July 31. The undefeated wrestling standout has been top of the heap for over a year, and has his chance to take gold at UBS Arena on Long Island.
Predict how a fight between PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria would go!
And Colgan believes that the promotion is heading in the right direction towards eventually becoming a serious player atop the sport under Martin’s leadership. The new CEO has made drastic changes, including dropping the divisive but synonymous tournament format in favor of making big matchups.
Archie Colgan backs John Martin as PFL CEO continues push for change
It may have been expected that some of the wholesale changes that John Martin has made would ruffle feathers in the PFL roster. But for Archie Colgan, the new CEO has already delivered a world title opportunity and is making the right noises on the business front.
“It’s not like we have an existing relationship, really,” Colgan explained in an exclusive chat. “We’ve had a couple of conversations, real brief and nothing super cemented or strong but I have real respect for what he is doing.
“I think he’s really making an attempt with a serious approach that solidifies PFL as being up there and contending to be the best, pushing that direction.
“We’re not just like ‘oh yeah, we’re the second best doing this and that’. He’s really taking advances and steps towards the top.
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