MMA: Bellator bought by the PFL, the rising league

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the rising league in the world of mixed martial arts, announced Monday the acquisition of another major MMA entity, Bellator, posing as an increasingly serious competitor to the UFC , the reference organization for this combat sport.

The PFL had already struck a major blow last May by poaching world star Francis Ngannou, who was at the time heavyweight champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She also recently recruited Frenchman Cédrid Doumbé.

“PFL announced that it has completed the acquisition of Bellator from Paramount Global, creating a global powerhouse in mixed martial arts and enabling the combined company to quickly become the co-leader in the industry,” said the organization in a press release. Financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

“The PFL is now a global power in the field of MMA,” said its founder and president, Donn Davis. “The acquisition of Bellator furthers the PFL’s mission to innovate the sport and become the industry co-leader.”

By combining the number of fighters from the two organizations, the new entity now has a field equivalent to that of the UFC, he specifies.

Founded in 2017, the PFL is a growing organization, which has multiplied highlights and media stunts in recent months to emerge in the landscape of the different MMA leagues.