PFL Suspends Natan Schulte, Raush Manfio For Lackluster Fight; Postseason Updated

There was a price to pay for the forgettable fight between Natan
Schulte and Raush
Manfio at
PFL 6 on Friday night.

Schulte defeated Manfio via unanimous decision in a lightweight
bout at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta to clinch a spot in the
postseason. However, the fight resembled little more than a
sparring match, which perhaps shouldn’t have been a surprise since
the two athletes are longtime friends, training partners and the
godfathers of each other’s children. As a result of the lackluster
fight, the PFL has suspended both fighters and removed Schulte from
the postseason.

“Last night Natan
Schulte and Raush
Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree
to uphold in competition,” read a statement
from the organization. “All fighters in their PFL Fight Agreements
agree to use their best efforts … skills and abilities as a
professional athlete to compete … and defeat any opponent.

“It was very clear that Natan and Raush did not meet that
contractual standard in yesterday’s bout. PFL immediately suspended
both fighters from the season and deemed the fight to have 0 points
for purposes of League standings. PFL takes this action in
recognition of its responsibility to all PFL fighters and all PFL
fans.”

Shane
Burgos, who defeated Yamato
Nishikawa via unanimous decision, will replace Schulte in the
playoffs. Burgos will enter as the fourth seed and face No. 1
Clay
Collard on Aug. 23 in New York. In the other half of the
bracket, No. 2 Olivier
Aubin-Mercier will square off against Bruno
Miranda.