PFL Acquires Bellator MMA Franchise in Major Deal

Paramount Global has sold its Bellator MMA franchise to the Professionals Fighters League (PFL) in a major deal. PFL plans to offer eight Bellator fight events yearly and aims to create a major event in 2024. Paramount will retain a minority stake in the franchise.

PFL Acquires Bellator MMA Franchise

Paramount Global has announced the sale of its Bellator mixed martial arts franchise to the Saudi Arabia-backed Professionals Fighters League (PFL). The deal, which comes a month after the announcement of the shutdown of Showtime Sports , will see PFL add Bellator to its existing MMA franchises. Paramount will retain a minority stake in the franchise. The PFL plans to offer eight Bellator fight events yearly under the Bellator International Champions Series and aims to create a major event in 2024, pitting the PFL Champions versus the Bellator Champions.

PFL’s Position in the MMA Industry

PFL Founder and Chairman Donn Davis expressed excitement about the deal, stating that it positions PFL as a global powerhouse in MMA. The acquisition of Bellator turbocharges PFL’s mission to innovate the sport and become an industry co-leader. This move puts PFL in direct competition with the category leader, the Endeavor Group Holdings-owned UFC.

Paramount’s Plans for Showtime Sports

Paramount’s decision to sell Bellator comes as the company plans to shut down Showtime Sports and its live MMA and boxing events at the end of 2023. Showtime will distribute its last scheduled pay-per-view boxing event on Saturday, featuring the David Benavidez-Demetrius Andrade middleweight championship fight.