Overview
- The merger was announced Thursday, July 30, 2026, and folds the Professional Fighters League into Most Valuable Promotions under the MVP master brand with a phased rebrand to MVP MMA.
- John Martin will serve as chief executive of the combined company while Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian will be co‑founders and sit on the board.
- The new entity inherits nearly 400 athletes from boxing and MMA, PFL’s global event infrastructure and distribution partnerships across 34 broadcasters to reach more than 170 countries.
- Founding PFL investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management committed additional capital to the privately held company and the groups plan five premium boxing and MMA events in August as the first operational test.
- The company frames the merger as a ‘fighter‑first’ push that could widen pay and cross-discipline opportunities for athletes and put pressure on the UFC while near‑term priorities include completing the PFL-to-MVP MMA migration and resolving domestic broadcast rights such as the ESPN deal that expires at the end of 2026.