The PFL has officially acquired Bellator MMA for an undisclosed amount, the Saudi-backed mixed martial arts organization has announced.
As part of the deal, the former parent company of Bellator, Paramount, will remain involved as a minority owner, according to ESPN.
Talks have been ongoing for months as Paramount looked to offload the MMA promotion that first launched back in 2008.
All Bellator-signed athletes will now be available to compete on PFL platforms, but the Bellator brand will still run as a separate, “reimagined” product in 2024.
PFL is also planning a “mega event” in 2024 featuring a PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions card in 2024 that would include champions in all seven weight classes.
PFL held its first event in 2018. Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments – a subsidiary of Public Investment Fund (PFI) – bought a minority stake in the PFL in August in August 2023 for a $100 million, according to The Financial Times.
PFL recently signed former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and YouTuber turned-professional boxer Jake Paul.
