Saudi Arabia’s entry into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) with a historic investment in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). SRJ Sports Investments will inject over $100 million to support the PFL’s global expansion and launch of the ‘PFL MENA’ regional league. The partnership will also see the development of the ‘PFL PPV Super Fights’ series in Saudi Arabia. Learn more about this groundbreaking collaboration and the PFL’s plans for the future.
| Saudi Arabia Makes Historic Investment in Professional Fighters League |
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| The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has secured a groundbreaking partnership with SRJ Sports Investments, marking Saudi Arabia’s entry into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). With an investment of over $100 million, SRJ will support the PFL’s global expansion, attracting top fighters and growing its fanbase. As part of the deal, SRJ will also become an investor in the new ‘PFL MENA’ regional league, set to launch in 2024. Additionally, the partnership will see the development of the ‘PFL PPV Super Fights’ series in Saudi Arabia, with the country underwriting a significant number of PFL PPV events in the future. |
| PFL’s Founder and Chairman Donn Davis had revealed earlier this month that the promotion was targeting international investment, saying it would “be a good thing for our company”. The PFL raised US$30 million in a Series E equity funding round led by Waverley Capital back in May 2022. SRJ was officially announced earlier this month and is part of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The new company aims to accelerate the growth of the sports sector in the kingdom and MENA, with a focus on acquiring and creating new sports events intellectual property (IP), commercial rights of sports competitions and hosting major global events in Saudi Arabia. The move into MMA, which is SRJ’s first investment, adds to PIF’s wider sports investment portfolio, which includes soccer and golf. Saudi Arabia also has ties to boxing, tennis, Formula One, snooker and horse racing, among others. |
| Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that PFL has become the second-largest MMA company in just five years and that the best is yet to come with SRJ’s support. Bander Bin Mogren, Chairman of SRJ, highlighted the investment’s significance in shaping a new era of sports in Saudi Arabia, promoting gender equality, and creating opportunities for local and regional talent in martial arts. |
| In addition to the investment, the PFL is also exploring new broadcast partnerships for its US rights, as its current deal with ESPN expires in 2023. While discussions with ESPN about an extension are ongoing, the promotion has attracted interest from other broadcasters, and a decision is expected in the coming months. |
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with SRJ Sports Investments, marking Saudi Arabia’s entry into the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). With an investment of over $100 million, SRJ will support the PFL’s global expansion, attracting top fighters and growing its fanbase. As part of the deal, SRJ will also become an investor in the new ‘PFL MENA’ regional league, set to launch in 2024. Additionally, the partnership will see the development of the ‘PFL PPV Super Fights’ series in Saudi Arabia, with the country underwriting a significant number of PFL PPV events in the future.
The PFL, founded by Donn Davis, has been actively seeking international investment, and the partnership with SRJ is seen as a major step forward. The PFL raised $30 million in a recent funding round, valuing the promotion at $500 million. SRJ, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), aims to boost the sports sector in the kingdom and the MENA region, focusing on acquiring sports event intellectual property and hosting global events in Saudi Arabia. This marks SRJ’s first investment in MMA, adding to its existing portfolio in soccer, golf, and other sports.
Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that PFL has become the second-largest MMA company in just five years and that the best is yet to come with SRJ’s support. Bander Bin Mogren, Chairman of SRJ, highlighted the investment’s significance in shaping a new era of sports in Saudi Arabia, promoting gender equality, and creating opportunities for local and regional talent in martial arts.
In addition to the investment, the PFL is also exploring new broadcast partnerships for its US rights, as its current deal with ESPN expires in 2023. While discussions with ESPN about an extension are ongoing, the promotion has attracted interest from other broadcasters, and a decision is expected in the coming months.
