The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has acquired rival MMA company Bellator in a bold move to challenge the industry leader, the UFC. With notable fighters joining PFL’s roster, the acquisition positions PFL as a global powerhouse in the sport. Learn more about this significant development.
| Key Points |
- The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has acquired rival MMA company Bellator from Paramount Global.
- PFL aims to become a co-leader in the MMA industry and solidify its position as a global powerhouse.
- Notable fighters such as Cris “Cyborg” Justino, Sergio Pettis, and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire are now part of PFL’s roster.
- PFL plans to launch the Bellator International Champions Series in 2023 and stage a PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in 2024.
- PFL’s season will conclude on November 24th with a card headlined by Kayla Harrison’s return.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has made a significant move in the MMA industry by acquiring rival company Bellator from Paramount Global. The undisclosed financial terms of the deal were announced on Monday. PFL Chairman Donn Davis expressed his excitement about the acquisition, stating that it positions PFL as a global powerhouse and sets a new goal of becoming a co-leader in MMA. The purchase was made possible with the support of Saudi-backed SRJ Sports Investments, aligning with PFL’s vision of becoming a co-leader in the sport. While PFL has a unique competition format, Bellator will continue with one-off cards in 2024. PFL also plans to launch the Bellator International Champions Series next year. The acquisition brings notable fighters such as Cris “Cyborg” Justino, Sergio Pettis, and Patricio “Pitbull” Freire to PFL’s roster. PFL intends to stage a PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in 2024, featuring champions from all weight classes. PFL’s season will conclude on November 24th with a card headlined by Kayla Harrison’s return. The future involvement of Bellator President Scott Coker is yet to be announced. PFL’s acquisition of Bellator solidifies its position as one of the top live fight franchises, alongside PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, and PFL International Leagues.
