The 2023 PFL 6 regular season bout between best friends and longtime training partners Natan Schulte and Raush Manfio brought the entire structure of the promotion under question.
The fighters went through a glorified sparring match, which Schulte (25-5-1) won by unanimous decision over Manfio (17-5) to clinch a playoff spot. It was a jarring contest, and the cageside commentators criticized the athletes for engaging, despite both claiming they had no desire to face each other due to their relationship.
When it was over, PFL removed Schulte from the postseason and suspended him and Manfio for not fighting in the spirit of competition, leading to a playoff birth for noted offseason signing Shane Burgos.
