‘Time for change is now’ – MVP and PFL merge
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have merged, creating a combined combat-sports company under the MVP brand. The deal brings PFL’s MMA operation alongside MVP’s boxing business and reflects their stated aim of improving fighter pay, expanding audiences and challenging established industry models.
MVP co-founders Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian will lead the new partnership, while PFL chief executive John Martin joins its board; the combined roster exceeds 300 fighters. MVP’s first MMA event in May reportedly drew 17 million global viewers for Ronda Rousey’s 15-second win over Gina Carano, while PFL has operated a points-based league format since 2017 and cut its top prize from $1m to $500,000 in 2025. The merger follows MVP’s new agreement with Matchroom Boxing to create further opportunities for women fighters.
- MVP and PFL have merged under the MVP brand.
- The combined company has more than 300 fighters.
- Leaders say the deal will modernise combat sports.
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Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and the Professional Fighters League (PFL) have merged into a single company operating under the MVP brand. The combination brings together boxing through MVP and mixed martial arts (MMA) through PFL, creating what the founders describe as a fresh approach to combat sports promotion.
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders of MVP, will lead the combined operation, with PFL chief executive John Martin joining its board. The merged entity now represents over 300 fighters across both sports.
The partnership represents a challenge to established ways of running combat sports competitions. Both companies have prioritised increasing fighter earnings and reaching larger audiences, signalling their intent to reshape industry practices.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Supporters can argue that combining MVP’s boxing reach with PFL’s MMA operation creates a stronger challenger to established combat-sports organisations, with more resources to attract audiences and offer fighters new opportunities across both sports. The reported audience for MVP’s first MMA event and its agreement with Matchroom suggest the company may be able to grow women’s boxing and MMA as well as improve fighter pay.
The case against
Sceptics can argue that a larger company and a headline-grabbing audience do not by themselves ensure better pay or conditions for fighters, particularly when PFL has reduced its top prize. Bringing more than 300 fighters under one brand could also concentrate influence over opportunities and terms, while the merger’s promises will need to be judged by what it delivers over time.