Daniel Marcos didn’t spend much time on the free-agent market. Just days after reports surfaced that the UFC had decided not to renew his contract, Daniel Marcos has officially signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), securing a new home despite a successful run inside the Octagon.
The 33-year-old Peruvian bantamweight announced the news on social media Monday, revealing that he had signed a contract with the PFL. The promotion has not yet announced an opponent or debut date for Marcos.
“Grateful to God for this new phase,” Marcos wrote alongside a photo of himself holding his PFL contract.
“Thanks to @pflmma for the trust and @jasonkhouse for the work that makes these moments possible.
“The signing is just the beginning. My language has always been the same: discipline, pressure, and violence. The rest is just words. See you all soon.”
The move comes as a surprise to many fans, especially considering the success Daniel Marcos enjoyed during his UFC tenure.
After earning a contract with a victory over Brandon Lewis on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022, Marcos went on to compile a 5-1 record with one no contest across seven UFC appearances.
His only defeat came against Montel Jackson in 2025, while a bout against Aoriqileng ended in a no contest. Outside of those results, Marcos picked up five wins inside the Octagon, including a second-round submission victory over Miles Johns in his final UFC appearance.
That win improved his professional record to 18-1 with one no contest, making his departure from the promotion even more puzzling.
Following news of his release, Daniel Marcos admitted he was caught off guard by the UFC’s decision not to offer him a new deal.
“Since my last fight in November, I did exactly what was asked of me,” Marcos said.“I finished my opponent, and since December, I’ve stayed ready to compete again. I spent months training, doing camp, and waiting for an opportunity. A negotiation never came; a renewal never came.
“I just kept waiting because I trusted that the moment would come. In the end, the decision was that they would not continue with me, and to this day, I don’t have a clear explanation as to why.”
Marcos was one of four fighters removed from the UFC roster during the promotion’s latest round of roster cuts.
While his exit raised plenty of eyebrows, the talented bantamweight wasted little time finding a new opportunity.
Now signed with the PFL, Daniel Marcos will look to continue his momentum and prove that the UFC may have let go of one of the division’s most underrated talents.
