PFL 2018 Middleweight Champion Louis Taylor Withdraws from 2019 Tournament
Just one week before the start of its 2019 season, the Professional Fighters League has lost a champion from the first season and the headliner of its inaugural event, as Louis Taylor has elected not to participate in this season.
According to his Instagram page late Wednesday night, 2018 middleweight champ Taylor (18-4-1) posted that he was thankful to the promotion for giving him the opportunity but that he would not be fighting in the PFL's 2019 tournament. Taylor was set to serve as the main event of PFL 2019 1, where he was to face Chris Curtis (20-5).
"PSA: Thank You So Much [PFL and PFL President Ray Sefo] for giving me the chance to compete 2018 & 2019," Taylor wrote. "Unfortunately Life throws curve balls and I will not be competing this season. I’ve searched my entire career for a home in MMA so I’ll be watching as a fan Next Thursday May 9th. PFL on ESPN is Going to be Amazing!" Taylor was set to drop down to the welterweight division for this season, as the organization decided to remove the middleweight division in favor of one at women's lightweight. The cause of his withdrawal is currently unknown.
PFL 1: 2019 Regular Season will take place on May 9 at the NYCB Live at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. As the event was to be headlined by Taylor, the promotion has not yet indicated if he will be replaced in the main event or if the co-headliner between Kayla Harrison and Svetlana Khautova will be elevated. This first event of the season is set to feature competitors from the welterweight and women's lightweight divisions.
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