Jake Paul’s company Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) has acquired the Professional Fighters League (PFL), with a new brand set to enter the world of mixed martial arts (MMA)
The PFL was one of the few legitimate alternatives to the UFC, which is MMA’s flagship promotion, yet after recent executive exits the PFL has been acquired by MVP, which is known for its boxing shows but organised its first MMA event this year.
Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian put on MVP MMA 01 in May, with icons of the sport Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano headlining in Los Angeles.
Also on the card were former UFC fan favourites Nate Diaz and Mike Perry, and ex-UFC and PFL champion Francis Ngannou.
Perry beat Diaz via doctor stoppage after Ngannou knocked out Philipe Lins in the first round, and the evening ended with Rousey submitting Carano in 17 seconds.
While the event relied on older fighters (Rousey, 39, had not fought in 10 years, and Carano, 44, had not fought in 17), it was seen by many as refreshing for the sport, given the relative lack of top-level alternatives to the UFC.
Still, Paul and Bidarian had hinted at an uncertain future for MVP’s endeavours in MMA, with a maximum of a few shows per year. But that looks set to change due to the acquisition of the PFL, which should take full effect in 2027.
A press release on Thursday said: “PFL CEO John Martin will serve as CEO and board member, and lead the overall business of the combined company [...] Bidarian will continue to drive MVP’s boxing verticals and blockbuster live events, and work closely with Martin and the executive team.
“Paul, the world’s most-followed combat sports promoter, will continue leveraging his platform, audience, and cultural influence to drive audience growth, fighter development, brand expansion, and fan engagement across all areas of the business.”
The statement continued: “Together, MVP will feature nearly 400 elite athletes, including world champions, title contenders, and many of the biggest names across combat sports. The company intends to invest aggressively in both boxing and MMA.
“MVP and PFL will maintain relationships with many of the world's leading media and distribution partners, including Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, and PFL's extensive network of 34 partners across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and other key territories, including Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.”
MVP MMA 01 streamed live on Netflix and reached an estimated audience of 17m viewers globally. The fight card achieved a peak of 11.6m viewers in the US, surpassing the previous MMA record of 8.8m set in 2011 by UFC on Fox 1.
However, Rousey and Carano both seemed to retire after MVP MMA 01, meaning they cannot be counted on as assets going forward.
Paul previously invested in the PFL and said he would fight in the promotion, and although that never came to fruition, he has continued to tease an MMA bout.
