Third Bellator fighter accuses PFL of post-merger pay dispute, promotion gives statement

Another top-tier Bellator star has taken aim at the Professional Fighters League (PFL). In November 2023, it was announced that the PFL had acquired the Bellator MMA organization. On that note, the Bellator roster comes under the purview of the PFL.

The PFL continues operating Bellator as a separate brand, barring a cross-promotional card. The acquisition-induced transitional challenges include accusations against the PFL of delaying fights and not honoring pre-signed Bellator contracts.

Former Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima has suggested that he's engaged in a post-merger pay dispute against the PFL. The Brazilian combatant's most recent fight witnessed him defeat Costello van Steenis via unanimous decision in their middleweight bout at Bellator 296 (May 12, 2023).

Meanwhile, van Steenis returned in a middleweight clash against Gregory Babene at Bellator Champions Series Paris (May 17, 2024), beating Babene via second-round submission.

As indicated in a report on Bellator's website, Costello van Steenis won the middleweight number-one contender's fight and is likely to receive a title shot against Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen. Douglas Lima has now put forth a tweet, wherein he highlighted that the last fighter he beat is competing for the title.

Additionally, Lima pointed out that he hasn't competed for around a year. The veteran fighter implied that he's heard the PFL feels his purse is too high and that they're uninterested in paying him and honoring the final fight of his Bellator contract. Leaving a pair of thumbs-down emojis before the Bellator and PFL X handles, he tweeted:

"Last guy I beat is fighting for the belt now. Solid win Costello great job. I'm on the sidelines for a year now, what heard was my purse was too "high" and PFL didn't want to pay and honor my last fight on my contract. so yeaaa @BellatorMMA @PFLMMA."

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PFL responds to Douglas Lima's claims of pay dispute amid similar allegations from other Bellator stars

In March 2024, Bellator women's featherweight Cris Cyborg similarly accused the PFL of considerably delaying her next fight. Meanwhile, PFL founder Donn Davis appeared on The MMA Hour and asserted that their relationship with her was "totally fine."

Cyborg countered that by tweeting that it wasn't fine, adding that she'd like a face-to-face meeting with Davis and PFL CEO Peter Murray.

Speaking to MMA Junkie and appearing on the Jaxxon podcast in April 2024, former Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi seemed to suggest that the PFL was pressuring him into fighting for a lower payout than what's stipulated in his Bellator contract. 'The Dreamcatcher' insinuated that the Bellator acquisition notwithstanding, PFL might not be "making any money" to pay.

Furthermore, Douglas Lima is the third major Bellator star to seemingly allege that the PFL isn't honoring Bellator fighters' contracts and is attempting to persuade them to take pay cuts for getting fights booked. As reported by BJPenn.com, veteran matchmaker Mike Kogan (former Bellator and current PFL exec), responded to Lima by noting:

"Douglas has had a great career and been at the top of the game for many years ... He's now going to move up to 185 pounds and wants to take one more run at the title. We are happy to make that happen. You will see him in the Bellator cage soon."