The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has kicked off 2025 with a major overhaul of its rulebook. From elbows to a new scoring system, these changes will change the way fighters approach the fight. For fans and fighters alike, it’s important to know what’s what. In this deep dive, we break down the PFL rule changes and how they’ll impact tournament outcomes and MMA strategy throughout the season.
A New Era for the PFL
Since its inception, the PFL has been different from other big MMA promotions. With its season format, points system, and playoffs leading to a champion, the PFL is mixed martial arts with a twist. But with the 2025 PFL Rules, the promotion is changing again.
These aren’t just minor adjustments – they’ll affect the pace, strategy, and outcome of fights. Whether you’re a hardcore MMA analyst or a casual fan just getting into the sport, you should pay attention to these changes.
1. PFL Rule Changes Explained: Legalization of Elbows
One of the biggest changes for 2025 is elbows being legal in all PFL fights. Previously, elbows were banned to prevent excessive cuts that could impact fighter safety and tournament scheduling. But this restriction limited striking options in close range, especially in the clinch and on the ground.
Why This Matters
- More Striking Options: You can now use elbows from the top position, in the clinch, or even in striking combinations.
- More Finishing Potential: Elbows are sharp, compact, and can do damage fast.
- Tactical Advantage: Elbows allow you to do damage without creating space, perfect for ground and pound.
What This Means for Fighters
- Wrestlers who get top control will have a new tool to control and damage opponents.
- Strikers can integrate elbows into their close-range offense and become more threatening.
- Defensive awareness will increase as elbows can come from angles where punches can’t.
2. New Scoring System: A Shift in How Fights Are Judged
The PFL has also changed the scoring system for 2025 to make fight outcomes more about overall performance rather than round-by-round dominance. The new system still uses the 10-point must system but adds weighted criteria to prioritize damage over control.
Key Scoring Changes
- Damage Over Control: Judges will score visible damage, effective striking, and fight-ending attempts over pure control.
- Activity Matters: Fighters who push the pace and threaten consistently will be rewarded.
- Clearer Guidelines: Judges now have a clearer set of scoring priorities to reduce bad decisions.
How It Affects Tournament Format
In the PFL’s regular season, fighters earn points based on win type-3 points for a win plus bonus points for finishes. The new scoring will indirectly affect the standings as more aggressive fighters will get favorable scorecards and potentially bonus points.
3. Impact on the Tournament Format
The PFL’s tournament format is the only one in MMA where fighters earn points throughout the season to make the playoffs. Elbows and the new scoring system could have a ripple effect on the season.
Potential Changes in Fight Dynamics
- More Aggression: Fighters will take more risks to finish fights and get bonus points.
- More Tactical Damage Control: Fighters will need to avoid visible damage that can sway the judges.
- Faster Turnarounds: With elbows in play, cuts and injuries will affect how quickly fighters can get back for their next fight.
4. MMA Strategy Evolution Under the New Rules
These PFL rule changes aren’t just administrative tweaks – they’ll change MMA strategy for 2025.
Offense
- Elbows in striking combinations.
- Elbows to the ground and a punch to finish.
- Target specific areas of damage to sway judges in close fights.
Defense
- Improve guard position to block elbows from top control.
- Control distance to avoid a clinch where elbows are most effective.
- Head movement and hand positioning to reduce damage.
Training Camp Adaptations
- More elbow drills in both striking and grappling sessions.
- More sparring scenarios focused on high activity exchanges.
- Strategic fight planning to score.
5. Compared to Other MMA Promotions
Elbows put the PFL in line with the Unified Rules of MMA, which the UFC follows. But elbows and the PFL scoring system are a unique combination.
Differences from the UFC
- PFL fighters have to balance damage with points over a season.
- Tournament format makes fighter durability even more important.
- Pressure to finish early is higher with bonus point incentives.
6. How Fans Can Expect the Fights to Change
From a fan’s perspective, the 2025 PFL season is going to be the most exciting yet. With fighters able to throw elbows and judges scoring more damage, fans should expect more action, faster finishes, and fewer draws.
What to Look For
- Short bursts of short range with fight-ending elbows.
- Damage is visible in decision wins.
- Aggressive first round to get bonus points.
7. The Big Picture: PFL’s Global Expansion
These rule changes are part of the PFL’s overall plan to grow its global audience. By making fights more exciting and more in line with fan expectations, the promotion is positioning itself to compete with the other MMA giants while keeping its season format.
Conclusion: Adapting to the New PFL
Now that we know the rule changes, fighters, coaches, and fans need to adjust their expectations for the 2025 season. Elbows will add a new layer to striking and ground fighting, and the new scoring system will reward aggression and damage over control. For fighters, adapting fast will mean the difference between making the playoffs or missing out entirely.
For fans, this means more exciting fights, finishes, and a tournament that rewards the most effective and entertaining performances.
Call to Action: Stay tuned for our upcoming fight previews, deep dives, and breakdowns of how these rule changes play out in real fights. Follow us for weekly updates as the PFL 2025 season unfolds.