The American Fight League have issued a short statement this morning announcing that they will “halt operations” until early next year.

The statement read: “The American Fight League has made the decision to halt operations until the first quarter of 2009.

“The organization’s doors are still open and the roster of fighters remains the same. AFL fighters are free to fight in whatever organization that they wish while maintaining their current contract status.”

Former WWE star Bobby Lashley was set to make his MMA debut with the promotion in December.

But when Lashley signed with Miami-based management company, First Round Management, earlier this month, details of who and when he was to fight were far from clear.

“We have the contract in hand right now and we are just working out all the details but December 13th will be the date,” Lashley told MMANews.com.

Prior to that, Lashley had signed a two-fight deal with the AFL.

Following the news of the AFL’s closure, local radio in South Florida on Wednesday afternoon announced that the former ECW champion will now make his MMA debut as part of Mixed Fight Alliance: “There Will Be Blood” at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL on December 13.

Lashley’s opponent is unknown at time of writing.

Phil Lowe
phil@ifight365.com