The PFL roster features two of the most recognizable figures in combat sports that first broke through in Olympic-sponsored sports.
Which is the exact reason why the sport of mixed martial arts needs to be the next included in the official Summer Olympics as soon as possible.
Kayla Harrison, the 2019 PFL lightweight champion, won two golds while competing in judo. That sport was added to the Olympics in 1964.
Claressa Shields, who made her MMA debut a few weeks ago in the PFL, claimed two golds in boxing at the Olympics and is a three-division boxing world champion.
Boxing was added in 1904.
Since, wrestling, taekwondo and karate have all been included as Olympic sports.
The list is not just limited to Harrison and Shields, as Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier and Yoel Romero have all competed for and represented their respective countries at the Olympic level.
Unlike some sports, MMA is a world-wide spectacle. Athletes from all parts of the globe have risen to the top of the MMA world through competing in Olympic sports such as wrestling, karate, boxing, taekwondo and karate.
Doesn’t it just make sense that you would want to bring the best of the best in the MMA world to the biggest stage – the Olympics – and crown a real world champion?
Maybe by the time we hit the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris we will have MMA and see a gold medalist crowned.