SRJ Sports Investments has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will support PFL’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. The partnership includes the launch of a new regional league called PFL MENA. Find out more about this significant move in the world of mixed martial arts.
| SRJ Sports Investments Acquires Stake in Professional Fighters League |
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| SRJ Sports Investments, a company recently launched by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has made a significant move in the world of mixed martial arts. The company has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will also be investing in a new regional league called PFL MENA. This partnership will support PFL’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, with upcoming pay-per-view Super Fight events set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The commitment made by SRJ Sports Investments to the PFL is reported to be worth over $100 million, making it a substantial investment in the promotion. The first Super Fight under this new partnership is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2024. Notable fighters such as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul are expected to compete in PFL events next year. PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating that SRJ’s investment aligns with PFL’s mission to become a global leader in MMA. This venture marks Saudi Arabia’s official entry into the world of mixed martial arts. While the country has been involved in combat sports in recent years, hosting and financing major boxing and WWE events, this is its first official foray into the world of MMA. Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in various sports, including soccer, golf, Formula One racing, and cycling. PFL has ambitious plans for expansion, aiming to launch six international regional leagues by 2026. This initiative is being referred to as the first "Champions League of MMA." PFL Europe has already been established, and the launch of PFL MENA is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The league will follow a four-event sport-season format, with specific scheduling details to be announced in the coming months. |
SRJ Sports Investments, a company recently launched by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, has made a significant move in the world of mixed martial arts. The company has acquired a minority stake in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and will also be investing in a new regional league called PFL MENA. This partnership will support PFL’s expansion into Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, with upcoming pay-per-view Super Fight events set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
The commitment made by SRJ Sports Investments to the PFL is reported to be worth over $100 million, making it a substantial investment in the promotion. The first Super Fight under this new partnership is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2024. Notable fighters such as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and YouTuber-turned-prizefighter Jake Paul are expected to compete in PFL events next year.
PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating that SRJ’s investment aligns with PFL’s mission to become a global leader in MMA. He emphasized the growth that PFL has experienced worldwide and praised SRJ Sports Investments as an ideal partner in the realm of global sports.
This venture marks Saudi Arabia’s official entry into the world of mixed martial arts. While the country has been involved in combat sports in recent years, hosting and financing major boxing and WWE events, this is its first official foray into the world of MMA. Saudi Arabia has been actively investing in various sports, including soccer, golf, Formula One racing, and cycling.
PFL has ambitious plans for expansion, aiming to launch six international regional leagues by 2026. This initiative is being referred to as the first "Champions League of MMA." PFL Europe has already been established, and the launch of PFL MENA is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The league will follow a four-event sport-season format, with specific scheduling details to be announced in the coming months.
