Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced its acquisition of Bellator MMA, as well as its plans to run two independent promotions through 2024. Paramount is expected to retain a minority stake in Bellator and company executives (like president Scott Coker) will have the option to remain onboard following the merger.
Get all there gory details right here.
“This totally changes the MMA landscape overnight,” founder Donn Davis told Financial Times. “You essentially put two, number-two companies to create a co-leader. The combined PFL Bellator roster now has 30 percent of its fighters who are ranked top 25 in the world by Fight Matrix. That’s the same as UFC has in their roster.”
Some of the top Twitter reactions listed below:
This is a great day for all PFL and Bellator fighters and MMA fans. The stronger we get, the more opportunities there are for everyone. pic.twitter.com/uqIUW6XM6a
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 20, 2023
I can’t wait to get in the cage and axe kick this fool. Nate Diaz stop making excuses. 2024. pic.twitter.com/PICjAuNe9F
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) November 20, 2023
Game changers @PFLMMA
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) November 20, 2023
Congratulations on a game-changing announcement in the MMA space. The opportunities for PFL & Bellator athletes under this banner are endless pic.twitter.com/B8x4Rhb2Uz
Cool. Now since we can. Let’s do PFL/Bellator in Hawaii, Ray headlining a card and I’m right there fighting below ‘em on the card. Dream come true.
— Kai Kamaka III (@kaiboikamaka) November 20, 2023
This is HUGE for the sport! It will be interesting to see how everything pans out moving forward.. https://t.co/kA9yY5Oxro
— Megan Anderson (@MeganAnderson) November 20, 2023
Excited for the fighters and the new challenges they’ll face with the merging of rosters. What fights do you wanna see them make first? https://t.co/gcRpXnRUna
— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) November 20, 2023
Huge for mma https://t.co/1moF3AeV9a
— Randy Costa (@RandyCosta135) November 20, 2023
UFC still wins, but good move by the PFL, which makes the competition better. Fighters, fans and teams will benefit from it which is great
— Adam S. Kovacs (@adam_skovacs) November 20, 2023
I’m looking forward to see how things will be handled and the matchups ahead between @BellatorMMA and @PFLMMA fighters. I hope PFL is smart and Mike Kogan and the staff comes along with the deal.
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) November 20, 2023
Spectacular https://t.co/zt9updaINf
— Emiliano Sordi (@emilianosordi) November 20, 2023
Oh yeah!@PFLMMA + @BellatorMMA #ChangingTheGame#MMA
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 20, 2023
“The combined PFL and Bellator fighter rosters are second to none in MMA,” said Peter Murray, PFL CEO. “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.”
UFC CEO Dana White has yet to comment.
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