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Most Valuable Promotions and the Professional Fighters League have officially announced a landmark merger that could reshape the future of combat sports. The newly formed company will operate under the MVP banner, bringing together professional boxing, mixed martial arts, athlete development, live events, and global media distribution under one organization.
The move represents one of the biggest business developments in recent combat sports history. By combining PFL’s international MMA infrastructure with MVP‘s rapidly growing influence in boxing and event promotion, the organization is positioning itself as a serious challenger in a market long dominated by the UFC.
MVP becomes the new parent brand
The merged company will operate under the MVP name, with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian continuing as Co Founders and Board Members. Former Professional Fighters League Chief Executive Officer John Martin will serve as CEO while Bidarian will continue overseeing MVP’s boxing operations and major live events.
Existing PFL investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management will become founding investors in the new company, providing additional financial backing as the organization expands across multiple combat sports.
The merger combines two organizations that have experienced significant growth in recent years. MVP was founded in 2021 and has quickly become one of boxing’s most influential promotional companies, while Professional Fighters League has established itself as one of the world’s largest MMA organizations with events across multiple continents.
A fighter first vision takes center stage
A central theme of the merger is the commitment to a fighter first business model.
The new company says it will prioritize improved athlete compensation, greater opportunities for personal brand development, and expanded global exposure. It also plans to continue investing heavily in both boxing and mixed martial arts while encouraging athletes to build commercial opportunities beyond competition.
Nakisa Bidarian explained that the merger reflects MVP’s long term vision.
Since launching MVP, our goal has always been bigger than just building a boxing promotion. It has been to build the future of combat sports.
He added that combining MVP’s storytelling, audience building, and promotional expertise with PFL’s global infrastructure creates “a new global home for combat sports.”
Jake Paul echoed those ambitions while emphasizing the organization’s focus on athlete compensation.
We started MVP to disrupt a broken model. We wanted to give fighters fair pay and a bigger, modernized stage to become global superstars.
Paul also issued a direct message to fighters across the industry, saying the organization is open to signing athletes once they become free agents.
What the merger means for MMA and boxing
The combined company will oversee approximately 400 athletes competing across boxing and mixed martial arts.
Professional Fighters League brings more than 300 MMA fighters representing over 40 countries, while MVP contributes one of boxing’s fastest growing promotional rosters, including several world champions and leading female fighters.
The organization also inherits one of the widest broadcast footprints in combat sports. Through partnerships with ESPN, Netflix, Sky Sports, and more than 34 international media partners, the company reaches audiences in over 170 countries.
According to Professional Fighters League, the promotion has staged more than 100 premium live events across 14 countries since its launch and plans to produce 24 events across 11 countries during 2026 alone.
Meanwhile, MVP says it has produced some of the most watched combat sports events in recent years while expanding opportunities for women’s boxing through record setting purses and major headline events.
Could the merger create dream fights?
One of the biggest talking points surrounding the announcement is the possibility of crossover matchups that previously seemed unlikely.
Former UFC champion Ronda Rousey returned to competition at MVP MMA 1 earlier this year, while former Bellator and UFC champion Cris Cyborg is scheduled to compete before announcing her retirement.
With both athletes now connected to the same organization, speculation surrounding a long discussed Rousey versus Cyborg showdown has resurfaced. Cyborg has also been linked with another potential boxing super fight against Claressa Shields, who has competed under the Professional Fighters League banner in mixed martial arts.
Although none of those contests have been announced, the merger significantly increases the likelihood of crossover events featuring some of the biggest names in combat sports.
All eyes turn to PFL New York
The timing of the announcement places additional attention on PFL New York, which takes place this weekend at UBS Arena.
The card features reigning lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defending his title against Archie Colgan in the main event, while Dakota Ditcheva faces Denise Kielholtz for the women’s flyweight championship.
Executives are expected to discuss the merger throughout the event as the company begins introducing its long term strategy.
Can MVP become a genuine UFC rival?
For years, the UFC has operated without a direct global competitor capable of matching its scale.
This merger changes that conversation.
Professional Fighters League already possessed an international MMA roster, proven event operations, and worldwide broadcast distribution. MVP contributes significant promotional expertise, celebrity influence, and a proven ability to generate mainstream attention around combat sports.
John Martin described the merger as a transformational moment.
We’re not just combining companies. We’re bringing an entire combat sports community together and creating a more powerful platform to accelerate growth.
Whether the new company can truly challenge the UFC remains to be seen, but the combined resources, financial backing, international reach, and growing roster make it one of the most significant developments the combat sports industry has witnessed in years.
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Two organizations that merge to fail. I really hope this works out.