2024 MMA Futures: Can PFL vs Bellator Rival The UFC This Coming Year?
Expect Action-Packed 2024!
Expect Big Things Out of PFL-Bellator
Our 2023 MMA recap focused on the PFL-Bellator merger as one of the most significant non-UFC events around the sport. Thus, we should expect big things out of this new union in 2024. There is no official news on any events for PFL-Bellator as of yet. There are plenty of questions still unanswered. But the mystery, combined with the new promotion’s logjam of top-tier talent, makes it worth waiting on the 2024 MMA futures.
PFL vs Bellator: The Best Year is the First Year
We often get “champion versus champion” types of fights in combat sports. But whenever we have a different brand of champion face another, there is some added mustard here. The PFL organizers have already mentioned pitting each promotion’s champions against the other beginning this 2024. And this is the main selling point.
We just saw new PFL welterweight champion Magomed Magomedkerimov face off against Jason Jackson, Bellator’s welterweight champion – also new. We’ll be seeing more of these as we progress further into 2024. Soon, we can expect 2024 MMA futures to open betting lines. It’s just a question of “when?”
PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions: An MMA-Style Invasion?
Who can forget about the much-hyped but otherwise lopsided “Invasion” angle the WWE (then WWF) used after it acquired WCW? This did not live up to the hype, but seeing stars on one side take on stars from the other generated plenty of buzz. PFL-Bellator can do something similar, albeit with real fighting.
Plenty of champion vs champion fights look nearly even and unpredictable on paper:
- Heavyweight (265 lbs): Renan Ferreira vs Ryan Bader
- Light Heavyweight (205 lbs): Impa Kasanganay vs Vadim Nemkov
- Welterweight (170 lbs): Magomed Magomedkerimov vs Jason Jackson
- Lightweight (155 lbs): Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs Usman Nurmagomedov
- Featherweight (145 lbs): Jesus Pinedo vs Patricio “Pitbull” Freire
- Women’s Featherweight (145 lbs): Larissa Pacheco vs Cris “Cyborg” Justino
This leaves out a few weight divisions from Bellator:
- Middleweight (185 lbs): Johnny Eblen
- Bantamweight (135 lbs): Patchy Mix
- Women’s Flyweight (125 lbs): Liz Carmouche
Perhaps most intriguing is that some of the biggest names from both promotions are also without world titles. PFL has Francis Ngannou, the former UFC champion who nearly upset Tyson Fury in a boxing match, and two-time Olympic gold medalist Judoka Kayla Harrison. Bellator has Gegard Mousasi, a former Bellator champion and perennial UFC contender, and Lyoto Machida, the former UFC light heavyweight champion.
Indeed, these former UFC fighters have the name recognition. But the best MMA fighters are the young upstarts like Usman Nurmagomedov, Renan Ferreira, and Dakota Ditcheva.
PFL-Bellator, UFC Open “MMA Market” Odds
While PFL-Bellator is a long way from being a legitimate contender to the UFC, we may now get UFC betting odds on where pending free agents sign. Bigger and more established sports leagues like the NBA and MLB can have futures on where big-name free agents sign or are traded to. Why not now for MMA?
We may see 2024 MMA futures on where high-profile free agents sign. And this will alter how the UFC manages its stars and how upper-tier talent negotiate when re-signing deals. Many will look to what Ngannou did in 2023 and be inspired to ask for more from the UFC. Additionally, we may even see the UFC loosen up on its stipulations.
Fans and bettors can also look to young prodigies or amateur athletes, namely bluechip wrestling talent. The Bellator typically takes NCAA wrestlers under its wing. The UFC signed Bo Nickal, who became one of the most notable newcomers of 2023.
Additionally, we saw a “trade” between the UFC and ONE Championship where they exchanged Demetrious Johnson for Ben Askren. Both paid dividends for each promotion. It’s feasible that PFL-Bellator, looking to unload contracts, makes deals with other sizable MMA promotions like ONE.
ONE Championship: Bigger and Better in 2024?
Speaking of ONE, the Asian-focused promotion continues to cook up big MMA events. ONE will continue to try and hook fans on the Western hemisphere. Chatri Sityodtong, ONE’s leading man, announced four U.S.-based events for 2024. The promotion also continues to stream fights with Amazon.
So while most non-Asian MMA fans look to UFC and PFL-Bellator, ONE is a major “player” and will continue to grow. In fact, fans can turn those MMA predictions into cash by betting on the promotion. Sportsbooks are more frequently featuring ONE events now, especially when they are based in the U.S.
For MMA betting news, MMA odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
Can’t get enough? Here’s more!
- 2023 MMA Recap: Year of Upsets and PFL-Bellator’s Major Merger
- 2023 PFL World Championship Odds: Which Underdogs Crash the Finale?
- Bellator 301: Amosov vs Jackson Fight Odds Could Be Underdog Paradise
- Best Blood Money MMA Bets For November: How To Profit off Violence
- Unbeaten Star Dominates Nurmagomedov vs Primus Odds
