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Randy Couture Reveals ESPN's Feedback & Stance On PFL Shows

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 8/9/23

UFC Hall of Famer and PFL analyst Randy Couture provided some insight into the PFL's relationship with broadcast partner ESPN.

The 2023 PFL Playoffs kicked off last weekend with featherweights and light heavyweights taking center stage in San Antonio. The card featured a main event upset; with Jesus Pinedo finishing Bubba Jenkins to advance to the PFL Championships.

The PFL will hold postseason cards on August 18th and 23rd as the top four fighters from the other divisions battle for a spot in the PFL Championships.

Amidst an eventful year for the PFL, including the signings of Francis Ngannou and Jake Paul, some of PFL's cards have been broadcasted on ESPN's main channels. This is a significant change from the majority of PFL's events being broadcasted on ESPN+, the worldwide leader's streaming subscription service.

Couture, one of the top analysts at the PFL, says the two sides will work together for years to come.

Randy Couture Shares Rave PFL Reviews From ESPN Heads

During a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Couture shared a positive report card from the ESPN brass when it comes to the PFL's product.

"Ratings, at the end of the day it's business and it boils down to ratings, and the PFL fights and the shows have been getting very good ratings," Couture said. "That's why they keep rolling us into big ESPN, not just ESPN+ or ESPN 2 this season. The fighters have stepped up and lived up to that, the regular season was ridiculous. Huge upsets, some fights that happened that you couldn't have called, really intense and really fun."

Couture works alongside former UFC fighter Kenny Florian and lead play-by-play broadcaster Sean O'Connell for PFL broadcasts.

As the PFL continues to grow in popularity and revenue, they're starting to get mainstream media attention from ESPN and other outlets. It doesn't sound like the PFL's partnership with ESPN will deteriorate anytime soon amidst their 2023 successes.

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This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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