• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 5, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

PFL Completes Acquisition of Bellator, Readies to Challenge UFC

  • PFL was in talks to acquire the Paramount subsidiary for several months.
  • “Today, the MMA market changed,” PFL Founder Donn Davis told FOS.
PFL Bellator
PFL, Bellator MMA

The Professional Fighters League’s monthslong pursuit of Bellator finally concluded on Monday. 

PFL announced that it had completed its acquisition of Bellator from Paramount, a move that gives PFL a roster of fighters — in size and independent rankings anyway — that is close to UFC’s roster. 

“Today, the MMA market changed,” Donn Davis, PFL’s founder and chairman, told Front Office Sports. “PFL is now a global powerhouse in MMA, and as I’ve said before, we started the company with the aim to be a premium No. 2 in MMA. We achieved that today. We set a new goal to become the co-leader at MMA. With the acquisition of Bellator, we now have the fighter assets, and the ability to be the co-leader at MMA.”

FOS reported in September that PFL was in talks to acquire Bellator. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund invested $100 million in PFL via its new sports investment arm, SRJ Sports Investments. 

PFL will operate Bellator as a separate brand, and will use it for its one-off events as part of its “reimagined Bellator product in 2024,” according to a PFL news release. There are slated to be eight one-off events next year, where fighters from both leagues will be on the cards. 

“What’ll make it very cool is we’ll have two championship belts on the line for every single event,” Davis said. “They’ll be big events. The biggest events will always be pay-per-view superfights.”

The move means Paramount is out of the combat sports business, outside a minority stake the company retains in Bellator. 

Last month, Paramount announced it was shuttering Showtime Sports. That meant Showtime Boxing — which had been a major force in the sport for nearly four decades — would spin down by year’s end. 

“This transaction continues Paramount’s strategy to more efficiently allocate resources and align our content offering across the business,” a Paramount Global spokesperson said in a statement to FOS. “As one combined entity with some of the best talent in the industry, we believe the companies can and will create a deeper and stronger MMA promotion together.”

Paramount has owned Bellator since the MMA body launched in 2008. Since 2014, longtime  MMA executive Scott Coker has run Bellator.

“I’ve been very vocal about my respect for Scott and what he’s done for the MMA industry,” David said. “We’d like Scott and [Bellator matchmaker] Mike [Kogan] and the entire Bellator team to have big roles as part of our company going forward.”

PFL’s main series is currently broadcast on ESPN, a deal that concludes with Friday’s 2023 PFL World Championship in Washington. The prelims are available on ESPN+ with the main event on ESPN+ PPV for $49.99. 

It’s expected that a new TV agreement will be announced in December.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 19, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, UNITED STATES; Dan Ige (red gloves) fights against Patricio Pitbull (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center.

Why Paramount Overpaid for UFC Media Rights

Analysts and experts agree the deal is a huge win for UFC.
Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; CBS Sports field reporter Tracy Wolfson interviews Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) following a win over the Denver Broncos in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.

CBS Sports Chief on Paramount Owners: ‘They Value Sports’

Network officials cite the UFC deal as immediate proof of corporate priorities.

Dana White Says Increasing UFC Pay on Table After $7.7B Paramount Deal

The fighting promotion is doubling its media-rights revenue.

Featured Today

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.