Marc Diakiese Looks Forward to PFL Season Format: 'It Makes Things Simple'

Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Marc Diakiese recently explained the reasoning behind his move to rival promotion Professional Fighters League .

Diakiese announced his move to the PFL earlier this month after a 15-fight UFC career. Diakiese revealed that his UFC contract had expired following his second-round submission loss to Joel Alvarez at UFC London in July 2023. While exploring free agency, the Englishman was offered a short-notice clash against Kaue Fernandes at UFC Sao Paulo in November 2023, which he went on to win via split decision.

Diakiese expected the UFC to renew his contract in time for the promotion’s pay-per-view event in Manchester on July 27. However, that offer never arrived, and “Bonecrusher” instead accepted a deal with the PFL.

“So, the fight in London, that was the last fight on my contract,” Diakiese told MMAjunkie.com . “And I got sent to Brazil last minute and it was just there, so I knew I was a free agent. But then the UFC said they’ll give me a contract, so I didn’t get a contract. I was waiting because I meant to be on the July card. Obviously, I was a free agent and PFL came about with a good offer, so I couldn’t really say no. So, I asked for [the UFC] to let me go and try to look for something else and that’s what I did.”

Diakiese is targeting a one-off PFL outing this year, ideally in September or October, before entering next year’s season. The PFL season format will be new territory for Diakiese. However, Diakiese believes he is better suited for a format that follows a clear path.

“I just like it. I like it. I feel like as a fighter I’ve got to be fighting like that,” he said. “There’s no, ‘Oh, he’s got more following, this that.’ There’s no strategy to look [to of] the other fighter. You just got to fight and win your fights. It makes things simple. I know where I’m heading, I’ve got a map.”

The PFL season features fighters progressing to the playoff based on a points system where finishes score bonus points. Despite having finished only two of his eight UFC wins, Diakiese believes the extra points for stoppage wins will put him right on top of the PFL tournament bracket.

“It [the $1 million prize] helps a lot. It helps. You get some money there to change your life after four fights,” Diakiese said. “So, you just gotta give it all. And I like the fact that you gotta try and finish the guys. And this is the right format for me, knowing that I’m finishing guys, I’m gonna be right at the top. And try to win that million dollar tournament, it’s great for me.”