Former UFC featherweight contender Shane Burgos has been forced to pull out of his PFL (Professional Fighters League) debut against Marlon Moraes due to injury.
Burgos suggested that he would test free agency after his victory over Charles Jourdain at UFC Long Island. He eventually found a new home in the PFL, with better financial prospects being the deciding factor. Burgos, who has competed for the UFC since 2016, agreed to join PFL in August 2022.
Ariel Helwani reported on Twitter that Burgos had been forced out of the highly anticipated debut due to an injury. He wrote:
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"Shane Burgos is out of his PFL debut on 11/25 due to injury, sources say. Promotion is looking for a replacement for Marlon Moraes."
The promotion is working on getting a replacement for Marlon Moraes, who followed Burgos with a move to PFL a few months later. Moraes is currently on a four-fight losing streak. The Brazilian last won in December 2019, with a split decision victory over Jose Aldo at UFC 245.
Dana White accepts that letting Shane Burgos leave UFC was a mistake
Shane Burgos was at the pinnacle of his popularity when he decided to leave the UFC. Fight fans thoroughly enjoyed his exciting fighting style and were looking forward to the American making his PFL debut.
While UFC President Dana White has made some unpopular decisions in the past for which he is unrepentant, he regrets allowing Burgos to leave. During a post-fight press conference for Dana White's Contender Series, White stated:
"I'm happy for him and good for the PFL too. He's a great kid and not just an exciting, fun fighter, but he's a great person. So, yeah, good for everybody involved in that. We are not perfect, but we don't f**k up often. We don't f**k up often, but we f**ked that one up."
Shane Burgos went 8-3 in 11 UFC fights, with notable victories over Cub Swanson and Makwan Amirkhani. He was awarded the Fight of the Night bonus four times, a testament to his fearless fighting style.