Professional Fighters League acquires rival MMA company Bellator in a strategic move to challenge the industry leader, the UFC. The acquisition aims to reinvigorate Bellator and expand PFL’s reach in the MMA world. Learn more about this bold move and its implications.
| Key Points |
- The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has acquired rival MMA company Bellator from Paramount Global.
- Supported by Saudi-backed SRJ Sports Investments, PFL aims to become a co-leader in the MMA industry.
- PFL plans to reinvigorate the Bellator business and launch the ‘Bellator International Champions Series’ in 2024.
- Notable fighters from Bellator, including Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino and Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire, will now be part of PFL.
- PFL intends to organize a Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in 2024, featuring champions from all weight classes.
- The fate of Bellator’s media rights and the involvement of Bellator President Scott Coker in the company remain uncertain.
- PFL’s roster includes former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and celebrity fighter Jake Paul, with plans for two pay-per-view events in 2024.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has made a significant move in the MMA industry by acquiring rival company Bellator from Paramount Global. The acquisition, which was supported by Saudi-backed SRJ Sports Investments, positions PFL as a global powerhouse and sets the goal of becoming a co-leader in MMA. With the financial support and capital from Saudi Arabia, PFL aims to reinvigorate the Bellator business and expand its reach. While PFL has a unique competition format, Bellator will continue with one-off cards until 2024 when PFL plans to launch the ‘Bellator International Champions Series.’ The roster of Bellator fighters, including notable names like Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino and Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire, will now be part of PFL. PFL also intends to organize a Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in 2024, featuring champions from all weight classes. The season finale of PFL is scheduled for November 24th, headlined by the return of Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist. The fate of Bellator’s media rights and the involvement of Bellator President Scott Coker in the company remain uncertain, but PFL has expressed respect for Coker’s leadership. The Bellator brand will be retained, and all fighters will now be considered PFL fighters across all products. PFL’s roster also includes former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and celebrity fighter Jake Paul, with plans for two pay-per-view events in 2024 featuring them as headliners.
