Most Valuable Promotions and PFL Merge to Form New Global Combat Sports Company
The combat sports landscape has undergone one of its biggest shakeups in recent years as Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have officially merged to create a new global combat sports company operating under the MVP banner.
The merger combines MVP’s rapidly growing boxing business with PFL’s worldwide MMA infrastructure, creating a single organization that will oversee boxing, mixed martial arts, live events, media, athlete development, and global content distribution. The new company says it will continue operating with a fighter-first philosophy centered on increased compensation, greater visibility, and expanded opportunities for athletes to build their brands.
The combined company will be led by PFL CEO John Martin, who assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer, while MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian will remain active as board members. Bidarian will continue overseeing MVP’s boxing operations and blockbuster live events, while Paul will focus on audience growth, fighter development, and expanding the company’s global reach.
Financial backing comes from founding investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management, providing the organization with what executives describe as the strongest financial position in its history.
Under the new structure, PFL’s MMA operations and roster of more than 300 fighters will transition into MVP MMA over the coming months, while MVP’s boxing properties, including MVPW, remain key pillars of the company. Together, the organization will represent nearly 400 athletes across boxing and MMA and plans to invest aggressively in both sports.
The newly formed company also inherits one of the broadest distribution networks in combat sports through relationships with Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports, and PFL’s international media partners, giving the promotion access to audiences in more than 170 countries.
The announcement follows the successful launch of MVP MMA and signals the company’s intention to become a major player in mixed martial arts while continuing to expand its influence in professional boxing. Executives believe combining MVP’s promotional strength and digital audience with PFL’s global infrastructure positions the company to compete at the highest level of combat sports.
The merger immediately creates one of the largest organizations in the industry outside of the UFC, blending a deep roster of elite fighters, international event operations, and major media partnerships under a single banner. As leadership and operational details continue to emerge, the move represents a significant shift in the competitive landscape and could reshape how boxing and MMA are promoted for years to come.
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