2023 PFL champion Magomed Magomedkerimov wants in on Bellator fights, no longer interested in PFL's season format

Magomed Magomedkerimov says he wants to move on to Bellator one-off fights and be done with PFL's season format.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Magomed Magomedkerimov wants in on PFL’s newest acquisition.

After winning the 2023 PFL featherweight title, Magomedkerimov (33-6) is hoping to be done competing under the promotion’s season format and wants to move on to the one-off Bellator fights. PFL recently purchased rival promotion Bellator and will continue to run it simultaneously with their traditional season.

“I’m definitely looking for something more interesting, more title opponents like Jason Jackson because I already had 16 fights in PFL, and I’ve pretty much done all that I can show,” Magomedkerimov told MMA Junkie through an interpreter. “I’m looking for the next level.”

Magomedkerimov submitted Sadibou Sy (16-6-2) this past Friday to claim the 2023 PFL featherweight title on the main card of 2023 PFL Championship at The Anthem in Washington, D.C. This was his second PFL title win, as he first won the belt back in 2018.

After his win, Magomedkerimov faced off against Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson. Magomedkerimov is excited at the opportunity of facing Jackson in early 2024, and wants to continue down that path of fights outside of the PFL’s season format.

”I’m very excited about facing Jason Jackson next because he’s a champion,” Magomedkerimov said. “For me, I pretty much fought everybody in PFL and this is the next level. I’m really looking forward to him and getting my second belt from the Bellator champion.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for 2023 PFL Championship.