The rumors are true. The PFL has ended up purchasing Bellator.
The Acquisition
The Professional Fighters League has been making some big waves in 2023. From signing Francis Ngannou to Jake Paul, the promotion doesn’t cease to amaze, especially with their latest announcement on Tuesday stating that they had finally sealed the deal with Bellator. Todd Atkins was the first to report about PFL’s plans to buy Bellator.
Following the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount, the PFL sees itself as a ‘global powerhouse’ as well as the MMA industry’s ‘co-leader’ right behind the UFC.
More details have been picked up about the ground-breaking merger, regarding the talent pool and Bellator’s future in this new landscape.
“PFL has acquired an immense number of top fighters through the Bellator acquisition, and its combined fighter roster is now equal in stature to UFC,” the PFL wrote in a press release. “PFL and UFC both showcase rosters that are 30% comprised of fighters who are top 25 independently world-ranked in their weight-classes.
“In addition, PFL + Bellator now has the best roster of women’s fighters in the world. All newly acquired Bellator fighters will become part of the PFL platform and available to compete in PFL fight franchises.”
‘Bellator Will Be The One-Off Event Product From PFL’
It looks like Bellator MMA will live on for a while under the PFL umbrella. However, it won’t ever be the same.
“PFL will continue the Bellator brand, and Bellator will be the “one-off” event product from PFL. PFL will launch a reimagined Bellator product in 2024 – the “Bellator International Champions Series.” The Bellator International Champions Series will consist of eight fight events each year hosted in major cities across the globe, and each Bellator event will feature two compelling co-main fights competing for championship belts.
Bellator becomes one of five live fight franchises of the Professional Fighters League: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Overall, the company can now meet fan and media demand by producing and programming a year-round calendar of live fight content with 30 premium MMA events per year.”
A Contest Of Champions
Despite the two promotions joining forces at long last, champions from both PFL and Bellator will eventually battle it out in a mega-event. Of course, Bellator’s reigning champions will have to wait and see who is crowned champion at the PFL Championships next week.
“PFL as a fighter-first and fan-focused organization plans to stage a landmark mega-event in 2024 – PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions. The PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions mega-event will feature the champions of each promotion in all seven weight-classes in a head-to-head epic fight experience.
“Details of Bellator events, distribution, partnerships, and management will be announced at a later date.”
Thoughts From The People Who Made It Happen
Read below what the PFL suits had to say about the historic acquisition.
PFL founder and chairman, Donn Davis: “PFL is now a global powerhouse in MMA. Our Bellator acquisition turbocharges PFL’s mission to innovate the sport and become the industry co-leader.”
PFL CEO, Peter Murray: “The combined PFL and Bellator fighter rosters are second to none in MMA. 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.”
What are your thoughts on The PFL buying Bellator?
