The PFL has invested about $250M to “expand globally over the last five years”Professional Fighters League
The Professional Fighters League will launch its inaugural season in the Middle East in May as it “works with Saudi Arabia to expand in the region and make the kingdom a new fighting hub,” according to Sherif Tarek of BLOOMBERG NEWS. Riyadh will be a host city for "some of the Middle East league’s four events planned for 2024.” PFL founder & Chair Donn Davis said that when the PFL’s Middle East league starts in May, it will be “run as a regular season with a single elimination playoff format.” Davis also said that the league is “working to increase the size of its investments in the region through a series of events in coming years,” with the Saudi capital a “key focus” in doing so. Davis said that the PFL has invested about $250M to “expand globally over the last five years” and is “working to establish regional leagues in a bid to boost competition.” He added that Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investment Co., launched by the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund in 2023, has invested $100M into the PFL and is a “50/50 partner in the Middle East season.” Last year, the PFL also renewed its media rights deal with ESPN and acquired rival MMA company Bellator from Paramount Global. Davis also said that the PFL is “also in talks to set up its competition in Africa, Australia and Latin America” (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 2/23).
