Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have officially merged, creating a new global combat sports platform operating under the MVP banner. The announcement was made on Thursday morning, July 30, 2026, marking a significant development in the combat sports landscape.
The newly combined entity aims to integrate boxing, MMA, media, live events, athlete development, and worldwide content distribution. This new company will be led by co-founders and board members Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, with John Martin serving as CEO and board member. Bidarian will continue to oversee MVP’s boxing operations and blockbuster live events.
Leadership and Vision for the Combined Entity
John Martin, who previously served as PFL CEO, will lead the overall business of the new company. His background includes roles as Chairman and CEO of Turner, where he managed a portfolio including TNT, TBS, CNN, and Turner Sports, and as Chief Financial Officer of Time Warner. Jake Paul, recognized as a prominent combat sports promoter, will utilize his platform and influence to drive audience growth, fighter development, brand expansion, and fan engagement across the business.
Nakisa Bidarian emphasized that the goal since launching MVP has been to build the future of combat sports, not just a boxing promotion. He noted that MVP has become an influential brand in the industry, producing significant events, elevating women’s boxing, and attracting new fans. The success of MVP MMA’s initial event reinforced the demand for a modern, fighter-first approach to MMA.
Paul stated that MVP was founded to disrupt what he described as a broken model, aiming to provide fighters with fair pay and a larger platform to become global superstars. He believes that joining forces with PFL accelerates this vision, creating a scaled platform to offer fans elite talent combined with culture, lifestyle, and social engagement.
Strategic Investments and Global Reach
Existing PFL shareholders, including 885 Capital and affiliated entities of Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, are becoming founding investors in the new entity. They are committing new capital to ensure the combined company launches with a strong financial foundation. Sudeep Ramnani and Jai Mahtani of 885 Capital, along with Ara Cohen, a co-founder of Knighthead Capital, bring investment and operational experience to the venture.
The combined company intends to invest aggressively in both boxing and MMA. MVP and PFL will maintain relationships with leading media and distribution partners, including Netflix, ESPN, and Sky Sports, alongside PFL’s extensive network of 34 partners across various global territories. This network forms a comprehensive distribution platform in combat sports.
Since its launch in 2021, MVP has grown rapidly, staging some of the most-watched events in the sport and reaching hundreds of millions of fans globally, particularly among Gen Z, Gen Alpha, and women’s sports enthusiasts. The company has produced highly streamed sporting events, including a record-setting professional women’s sporting match and an MMA event in U.S. history, while also providing significant compensation for female athletes.
PFL has established a global MMA platform with a roster of over 300 fighters from more than 40 countries, and a live event presence across four continents. In just over seven years, PFL has staged more than 100 live events in 14 countries, including major MMA events in Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Spain, and across Africa. In 2026 alone, PFL plans to produce 24 events across 11 countries, delivering approximately 150 hours of live content.
Future Plans and Operations
The MVP brand will serve as the master brand for all combat sports properties of the new entity. MVP and MVPW will continue as cornerstones for blockbuster live events and boxing. The PFL’s elite MMA fighter roster, global league operations, infrastructure, and media assets will form the foundation of MVP MMA, with the full migration expected to be completed in the coming months.
The combined company is scheduled to host five premium live events across boxing and MMA in August, showcasing the scale and capabilities of the new platform. An MMA event headlined by Usman Nurmagomedov and Archie Colgan will still proceed as a PFL event.
The merger aims to bring together an entire combat sports community, creating a more powerful platform to accelerate growth. The new company will feature nearly 400 elite athletes, including world champions and title contenders.
Martin highlighted that PFL has become the world’s second-largest global MMA company, with a top-tier fighter roster and premier media distribution across 34 broadcast and streaming partners, reaching fans in more than 170 countries. He added that MVP has redefined how combat sports connects with a new generation of fans, creating cultural moments and demonstrating that athletes, sports, entertainment, and creators can thrive together.
The merger is expected to bring scale in operations, distribution, media rights, sponsorship, fighter development, and fan engagement. The full completion of the merger is anticipated later this year.
Source: pflmma.com
Mason Reed
Sports reporter covering football, basketball and international competitions.