For the longest time, fans of combat sports only knew mixed martial arts as “UFC” referring to the top promotion in the sport, which made them the face of MMA as a sport.
The PFL and Bellator MMA
As time has passed, other promotions have come into the spotlight, in 2024 Professional Fighters League purchased Bellator MMA and have now worked as two separate companies under the same ownership and guidance.
The union of PFL and Bellator represents a pivotal moment in combat sports. Historically, the UFC has long been synonymous with the sport, dominating headlines. With the Professional Fighters League’s strategic acquisition of Bellator MMA in 2024, a new era of competition has dawned.
Before the purchase, Bellator MMA had been known as the “other” top promotion in MMA, which was home to former UFC fighters and other talent in which the promotion found themselves. As the two promotions come together, there are critics who will always feel as if one promotion will forever be on top, and then there’s the reality of what is being built.
Bellator has had stars come out of their promotion, the masses just never gave them the shine or respect because they weren’t in the three-letter promotion; the UFC. With the merger between both companies, PFL is featured on ESPN and ESPN+, while Bellator is featured on MAX streaming service, meaning access for anyone and everyone in the United States.
Additionally, they have an agreement with DAZN, which brings their events to an international audience in more than 160 countries.
Fighters First
With more eyes on both promotions, the brand is continuing to grow, and talking with fighters on both rosters, it’s clear that they love being part of a company that is fighter-first focused. Not only do champions of their tournaments walk away with their fight checks, but winners of PFL Europe tournaments are awarded $100,000 and a championship. Likewise, the winners of the PFL Global tournaments are awarded with $1 million grand prize on top of a championship belt.
There may have been disgruntled veterans or those who came with the merger and have yet to get a fight, but in the beginning stages, these issues can be easily rectified, one way or another.
What PFL and Bellator have continued to show since coming together is they’re keen on finding talent that fans may not have heard about, and building them. Even more importantly, fighters have credited the company for the way they allow the athletes to be themselves, focus on the fight, and the company will take care of the rest.
PFL & Bellator: Surging as fighter-first promotion, growing in their own way
The PFL format of a season-long tournament removes the popularity contest and just focuses on fighters getting rewarded for finishes, being given points based off when a finish happens, and most importantly for all fighters, staying active.
In Bellator MMA, ownership was able to secure a great broadcasting deal in the States and with 6 cards internationally in 2024, bringing some of their best talent around the world is smart business.
That may be one of the many overlooked positive things that the companies are doing correctly. Bringing shows from both Bellator and PFL all over the world is a way to continue to grow the brands, but also introduce the world to some of the best fighters they may be missing out on.
With different branches of their promotion around the globe with the PFL Global roster, PFL Europe roster, and newly introduced in 2024, PFL MENA, the company has done an exceptional job at showcasing talent worldwide.
Fighters, fans, and critics alike have had this belief that it is “UFC or bust” and the reality is, the sport of mixed martial arts is better as a whole when all promotions are doing well.
In doing business their own way, PFL and Bellator have been praised by the fighters on their roster as having a fighter-first focus. They should also be credited with grabbing fighters young in age or at the early stages of their career and growing together with the company. Giving fighters a different path than just believing there is only one big promotion to make it to, creates better business.
Even if there are growing pains along the way, which is bound to happen when you’re the fastest growing sports league world-wide, PFL and Bellator are doing business in their own way. Despite criticism, they’re chugging right along with their own talent, building a unique path for fighters and growing business all at the same time.
Represented all around the world, PFL and Bellator have some of the best fighters in the world on their respective rosters, and as a business just began for the two companies in 2024, business is certainly going to pick up, and mixed martial arts as a sport will be better with these two promotions growing in the spotlight.
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