A Throwback in the Social-Media Age

Mads Burnell prefers to focus on the fight, not talking to create headlines. The approach should serve him well inside the Professional Fighters League’s revamped format, where he expects the kind of big-time matchups that bring out the best in him.

Burnell will take on fellow Bellator MMA alum Jay-Jay Wilson when their lightweight quarterfinal helps anchor PFL 2025 World Tournament 3 on Friday at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The winner moves on to the 155-pound semifinals, where either Marc Diakiese or Gadzhi Rabadanov would await. Burnell was active in his first year with the PFL in 2024, as he rebounded from a season-opening loss to Michael Dufort with back-to-back victories over Clay Collard and Elvin Espinoza.

Ahead of his quarterfinal showdown with Wilson, Burnell chose to lock in on his opponent and shut out all the noise.

“I don’t have anything motivational or inspirational to say about this tournament,” he told Sherdog.com. “I’m just here to fight.”

Fighters only get one shot! Watch the PFL World Tournament LIVE Friday, April 18 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+.

On the other side of the equation, Wilson enters the tournament as something of an X factor. The 27-year-old New Zealand native owns a 10-1 record but has not fought since he took a unanimous decision from Mansour Barnaoui at Bellator 299 on Sept. 23, 2023—nearly 600 days ago. Burnell views it as another difficult test in a long line of them.

“For me, it doesn’t matter if you’re 45-0 or got no name value,” Burnell said. “I respect the old-school guys way more than this new school that’s happening in MMA, with people trying to protect their record. I understand it’s a business, too, but I think if the record isn’t there for a fighter but the name value of opponents is there, it gives you a lot to think about. That’s what I want. I want tough guys on my record.”

Burnell avoids pre-fight banter whenever possible. He likes to let his talent do the talking—a far cry from some of his contemporaries.

“I think it’s because a lot of fighters get influenced by what they see on the Internet,” Burnell said. “They see other fighters trying to say inspirational s--- and get a lot of clicks on Instagram. That’s not me. I think that s--- is corny. I wish I could be in this sport without having social media and just show up and fight. I was born a little too late. I should have been a fighter in the 1980s and 90s. I think it’s corny when people try to get inspirational. Just go in and fight, say something good and go home.”

While he understands the prestige involved with winning a PFL championship, Burnell points to another motivating factor. At age 31 and with 26 bouts already under his belt, he has bills to pay.

“I can’t put food on the table with a belt, but I can with money,” Burnell said. “Life is so much better when you can choose when you want to go to bed and when you want to wake up. That’s what money gives you—freedom—so the money means more for me.”