The PFL’s 2020 season doesn’t officially kick off until May, but the promotion isn’t waiting until then to start arranging some fights.
PFL officials recently announced plans to hold an International Qualifier Series, with fighters competing at events in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Russia and the United Arab Emirates with a chance of earning a PFL deal.
“We’re a leader in the sport,” PFL CEO Peter Murray told MMA Junkie. “We have a global stage, and we’re in a market for signing the best fighters in the world. Why not do that in strategic markets outside the U.S. with credible co-promotion partners?”
Working in tandem with local regional promotions, PFL will host single-night four-man tournaments in each market, with the winner fighting twice in one night, similar to the way the organization conducts its playoffs at the conclusion of each season.
“‘Fight twice in one night’ is part of the DNA of the league and our playoffs,” Murray said. “Why not continue to expand that model and test fighters mettle, and the toughest fighters will get in?”
The new events are scheduled to take place in February and March. UAE Warriors will host a featherweight event in the Emirates, while Murray said the company will announce the other regional partners over the next two weeks. The fights will be distributed by each promotion in their correlating domestic markets, while PFL will share them internationally.
Murray believes the series will not only help the PFL identify new talent but also help grow the promotion’s brand across the globe.
“For us, the way we cast the net for talent is a lot different than the other guys,” Murray said. “We’re pretty confident in our brand, in our platform, in our format, and to work with regional promotions – we operate on a global stage. Those other promotions are regional, and our mission is to reimagine and grow the sport and absolutely expand the sport not only in the U.S. but certainly outside the U.S., where there’s a tremendous amount of business potential for us.”
PFL officials said the 2020 season will be distributed to 160 countries worldwide, while ESPN2 and ESPN+ will remain their broadcast home in the U.S.
Murray said the PFL 2019 Championship was viewed by 400,000 people on linear television in the U.S. and “3 million-plus outside the U.S.” That has him optimistic about the upcoming opportunities, and he says the company will remain active in the time leading up to May’s season launch.
“The PFL’s lights are never off,” Murray said. “This is pre-season, and we’ve got a lot of action going on in anticipation of the season with fights around the world with international qualifier series, other content that we’ll be producing to give fans access to our fighters and telling their stories leading up to May.
“Lights are never off. That’s what’s fun about it.”
