MMA league PFL record speed of strikes in “SmartCage” to lure younger fans with kicks reaching nearly 70 MPH

THE Professional Fighters League records the speed of strikes to attract a younger audience of fans – with some reaching up to 70 km/h.

MMA’s only seasonal promotion uses data and analytics as part of their “SmartCage.”

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And last year, both the fastest punch and kick in PFL history were scored.

Lightweight Natan Schulte kicked at 67.7 mph, while a punch from Carlos Leal came at 29.3 mph.

PFL is the only known MMA organization to track such stats, and CEO Peter Murray believes it appeals to a younger group of supporters.

He said: “Our three differentiators are #1 sports season format, #2 technology and #3 storytelling.

“In terms of technology, there really hasn’t been any innovation in combat sports or MMA since the introduction of the PFL in 2018.

“Our vision of the sport and of the league is to really appeal to this generation’s fan base, a young fan base.

“And the expectation is to have technology as part of the experience, a more immersive presentation that leverages combat data and combat analytics.

“It’s also data that we’re monetizing through betting, so it’s really MMA 2.0 and it’s certainly geared towards that young fanbase and that’s where the growth is.”

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The league format of the PFL consists of a two-fight regular season, accumulating points per winning method.

Then the top four in each division advance to a semi-final and then a final where a $1 million prize check is offered.

The PFL’s qualifying and knockout format has been compared to the Uefa Champions League.

Murray said: “Our vision is to improve the sport and continue to expand as a league worldwide.

“We have a vision to create the Champions League of MMA and now we are five years old as an organization and ranked No. 2 in the world.”

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