Despite 2020 Season Cancellation, PFL Signs TUF 27 Semifinalist Tyler Diamond

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I signed with a promotion back in early March, but never got to announce it due to the Corona Virus. I’m super happy to say I signed with @pflmma. Unfortunetly because of Covid-19, they had to move back this years season to begin next spring. As disheartening as it is, I’m happy I’m with a top-notch promotion that recognizes my talent & the exciting style of fighting I bring to the table. I’m going to utilize this time to expand opportunities & continue to get better. #MillionDollarMan #ManifestDestiny #PFL #Iridium #MMA #HWPO #LFG #BlueCollar #OrovilleCA

A post shared by Tyler Diamond (@tylerd1amond) on Apr 28, 2020 at 6:15pm PDT

Don’t count the Professional Fighters League out quite yet, as the organization is still picking up key free agents.

On Wednesday, featherweight Tyler Diamond (11-1) posted on his Instagram account that he had officially signed with PFL. Although the promotion has currently nixed its 2020 season, Diamond is excited for the opportunity to come in the following year.

He wrote:

“I signed with a promotion back in early March, but never got to announce it due to the Corona Virus. I’m super happy to say I signed with @pflmma. [Unfortunately] because of Covid-19, they had to move back this [year’s] season to begin next spring.

“As disheartening as it is, I’m happy that I’m with a top-notch promotion that recognizes my talent & the exciting style of fighting I bring to the table. I’m going to utilize this time to expand opportunities & continue to get better.”

The Team Alpha Male standout Diamond has lost once in his career, in his Ultimate Fighting Championship debut against Bryce Mitchell at the TUF 27 Finale in 2018. As is customary for fighters from seasons of The Ultimate Fighter, some are plucked to compete at the finale, and winners of those matches are traditionally signed while losing fighters are released.

Competing on Season 27 of TUF, every fighter on that season’s roster held an undefeated record, split between the featherweight and lightweight ranks. Since all TUF fights during the season are considered exhibition matches, only the Finale fights count on pro records. A member of Team Cormier, Diamond advanced from the quarterfinals by submitting Dulani Perry. He later met replacement opponentJay Cucciniello in the semifinals, and suffered a third-round knockout to halt his quest to the finals.

Since leaving the UFC, the Californian handed Jon Neal his first career defeat in the Legacy Fighting Alliance in 2019. A subsequent 32-second rear-naked choke of Justin Linn at a PureCombat event in October 2019 led to his signing with the tournament-based league.