Shane Burgos defends controversial PFL playoff spot after rivals' suspensions
PFL star Shane Burgos has admitted his frustrations about being tarred with conspiracy theories following his controversial return to the lightweight tournament earlier this year.
Burgos was signed with massive fanfare after UFC boss Dana White admitted earlier this year that the promotion letting him go was an oversight and that they would have preferred to keep him. He was immediately launched into the top rungs of the free agency market, and opted to sign with PFL to compete in their 155lb season.
However, results didn't go his way; he lost to 2022 champion Olivier Aubin-Mercier in his debut before winning an unanimous decision Yamato Nishikawa that wasn't enough for him to qualify for the play-offs. When Natan Schulte defeated teammate Raush Manfio in a farcical fight that resembled a sparring session, both men were suspended and Schulte's playoff spot revoked.
"I'm tired of answering the same f***ing question," he explained to Mirror Fighting ahead of the playoff on Wednesday night. "Guys, I didn't get on the phone with PFL and say 'suspend those guys', bro, I feel for those guys because it's a s*** position to be in to have to fight your friend.
"I feel for them, but I didn't have anything to do with that. I've said it in a bunch of other interviews - if Yamato had whooped my a** in Atlanta you don't think they would have given him this opportunity? I'm asking, a 20-year-old kid who I have a bigger name, they woudln't have given him the opportunity? Everyone agree?"
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Burgos was eliminated from the $1million tournament at the first hurdle for just a matter of hours before the result was overruled by the promotion after Schulte got the decision win. Neither man appeared to be making a conscious effort to hurt the other, with only one capable of progressing to the semi-finals regardless of the result.
PFL released a statement at the time that read: "Last Night Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio did not meet the standards which all PFL fighters agree to uphold in competition. 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.'
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"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."
Burgos was none the wiser that it had all happened as he travelled across America from Atlanta to his hometown of New York, where he headlines tomorrow night against Clay Collard. He has now been catapulted into a prime spot, and will draw a large crowd to the Theatre and Madison Square Garden for his bout.
"It's very frustrating because it's something that I can't control and I have to let that s*** go," he continued. "I had maybe seven hours, I got back to my Airbnb, packed up, left at four or five in the morning, landed back in Newark and my phone was blowing up so I was like 'okay,' that's how I found out. Crazy s***."
Shane Burgos takes on Clay Collard at the Theatre in Madison Square Garden tomorrow night live on DAZN. UK Viewers can tune in from 11pm.
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