Who Owns PFL MMA? Is It Jake Paul? All We Know About the Professional Fighters League’s Merger With Bellator

The world of mixed martial arts features a large number of promotions around the globe! While the UFC currently holds the claim to being the largest MMA promotion in the world, PFL has recently pushed back against its dominance. Their acquisition of ‘Bellator MMA’ has made the headlines recently and the move has set them up to challenge the UFC’s dominance.

Jake Paul, the social media star turned combat sports athlete, also became a part of the PFL in January 2023. His presence in the organization has allowed the promotion to reach an entirely new audience due to Paul’s reach on social media. As the recent Bellator and PFL merger takes the MMA world by storm, let’s take a look at Jake Paul’s role in PFL and the details surrounding the promotion!

Jake Paul and his PFL role explored in light of Bellator merger

The PFL was originally founded by Donn Davis in 2017. It was launched in 2018 as it acquired the WSOF (World Series of Fighting Promotion) to add to its new roster. PFL is notable for being the first major MMA organization that offers fans an MMA ‘league’ that functions with regular seasons like other major sports like soccer and basketball. And their recent acquisition of Bellator has made them a strong competitor to the UFC!

Bellator will continue operating independently under the Bellator International Champions Series within the PFL framework. This reimagined system will feature eight events annually, each showcasing two title fights. Bellator fighters can now compete in PFL, including season-long tournaments and the upcoming pay-per-view “superfight” series in 2024.

Donn Davis holds the position of co-founder and chairman of the PFL. Other notable investors in the promotion include, Ted Leonsis and Mark Leschly. Davis is also the co-founder of Revolution, LLC, a venture capital firm, along with Steve Case. The PFL is collectively owned under the ‘MMAX Investment Partners’ umbrella.

Jake Paul joined the PFL this year as a part of the “PFL PPV Super Fight” division. A move that guarantees any fighter in the division 50% of the revenue from the events they are featured in. Paul was the first fighter to be signed to the division.

He also holds the position of “head of fighter advocacy”. A position that involves Paul working towards getting fighters fair compensation for their efforts inside the cage.

Wiz Khalifa also holds a stake in PFL

Hip-hop star Wiz Khalifa is also a member of the PFL team. In the first half of 2021, Khalifa joined the PFL as an investor. The rapper is also known by the fans for his incredible physique transformation that was a result of his martial arts training!

Khalifa also shared a message on his Instagram account in support of the organization. He stated, “Hard work and sacrifice pays off. I’m Happy to be a new owner and ready to change the game with @pflmma”

PFL CEO Peter Murray also holds an ownership stake in the promotion. He stated that Khalifa possesses unique talents across cultural, music, and fashion domains and will contribute to shaping the voice of the PFL brand in the future.

Read More: Jake Paul Addresses Rumors About Starring in ‘Creed IV’

In conclusion, the MMA landscape is witnessing a significant shift with PFL challenging the dominance of the UFC, especially after the recent merger with Bellator MMA. This strategic move positions PFL as a formidable contender in the MMA world.

Jake Paul’s involvement, both as a fighter in the PFL PPV Super Fight division and as the head of fighter advocacy, adds a unique dimension to the promotion.

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