PFL chairman Donn Davis announced Monday that the league had acquired Bellator MMA in a landmark deal for combat sports.
The Bellator brand will operate as a "reimagined" system starting in 2024 with the Bellator International Champions Series. This shift allows Bellator to function as an independent promotion, hosting eight events annually, each featuring two title fights.
All athletes currently signed with Bellator will gain immediate access to participate in competitions hosted on PFL platforms, including in the season-long tournaments and the "superfight" series.
"The basis of all sports is the quality of competitors," said Davis. “With this acquisition, this combined roster is now equal to the UFC in terms of Top 25-ranked talent. The quality of the product, the depth of the product -- this makes the PFL a global powerhouse overnight. That's just not possible in everyday sports. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
While specific details of the deal remain undisclosed, Paramount, Bellator's former parent company, will retain a minority ownership stake.
Scott Coker, the president of Bellator since 2014, has yet to comment on the acquisition. Davis indicated that the PFL had extended an offer for Coker and his team to continue their involvement with Bellator.
Beyond the acquisition, the press release unveiled plans for a "landmark MMA mega-event" in 2024, featuring champion vs. champion matchups between PFL and Bellator. Davis expressed confidence that their new status as a global MMA powerhouse will result in an elevated product for consumers, positioning them as a viable alternative to the UFC.
"MMA world changes today for the better... Better for fans. Better for fighters. Better for commercial partners... New MMA global powerhouse arrives," he said.
PFL's major signings
The PFL continues to make waves with major acquisitions in recent years. In January, the league announced a partnership with professional boxer and social media influencer Jake Paul, with plans to host his inaugural MMA fight in the future.
Adding to its roster of high-profile signings, the PFL secured former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in 2023. Fresh off a boxing match against Tyson Fury in Saudi Arabia last month, Ngannou is set to make his MMA debut under the PFL in 2024.
Meanwhile, notable additions from Bellator's roster include lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, featherweight champion Patricio Freire, light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov and women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg.
With the acquisition, the PFL's structure will now encompass five fight "franchises" alongside the PFL League Season, the PFL pay-per-view Super Fight League, the PFL Challenger Series and the PFL International Leagues.
The company has ambitious plans to promote 30 events annually, catering to different segments of the MMA market. The Challenger Series will spotlight emerging talent, while the International Leagues aim to establish a presence in Europe, Africa and Australia.
The long-anticipated bout between Cyborg and two-time PFL lightweight champion Kayla Harrison, initially planned for 2023, will now happen under the unified PFL and Bellator banner, Davis said.
"The combined PFL and Bellator fighter rosters are second to none in MMA," said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
"We can't wait to bring MMA fans what they have been asking for -- best vs. best with the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Mega-Event."
Further information regarding event specifics, dates and broadcast agreements is expected to be disclosed in the forthcoming months.
