Jake Paul’s MVP merges with PFL to create new combat sports giant
Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions has officially merged with the Professional Fighters League to create a unified combat sports company boasting a roster of more than 300 athletes.
The newly formed partnership will be spearheaded by MVP co-founders Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, alongside PFL chief executive John Martin.
As part of the sweeping corporate changes, the mixed martial arts organisation will now operate directly under the MVP brand umbrella.
Disrupting the combat sports model
Established primarily as a boxing promotional outfit in 2021, the disruptive enterprise recently ventured into MMA with staggering commercial success.
“We started MVP to disrupt a broken model.”
The YouTuber-turned-boxer explained that their primary goal has always been to guarantee fair pay and provide a modernised platform for athletes.
“We wanted to give fighters fair pay and a bigger, modernised stage to become global superstars. Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision by a decade.”
“To all current MVP and PFL fighters, things just got bigger. To fighters fighting in other organisations, we are open for business when you are contractually free. The time for change is now.”
A proven track record of viewership
The promotion’s inaugural MMA broadcast in May set a United States viewership record for the sport.
According to Netflix, that event attracted 17 million global viewers as Ronda Rousey defeated Gina Carano.
Meanwhile, the PFL has consistently attempted to innovate the traditional fighting space since its inception in 2017.
It initially utilised a unique league-based points system offering a $1m (£750,000) grand prize, though structural changes for the 2025 season halved that playoff payout to $500,000 (£374,000).
Consolidating a fragmented industry
“Over the past seven years, PFL has built the world’s number two global MMA company.”
PFL chief executive Martin believes the merger will create an unprecedented global platform for the rapidly growing sport.
“We’re not just combining companies, we’re bringing an entire combat sports community together and creating a more powerful platform to accelerate growth.”
“One company, one global stage, millions of fans – and we’re only just getting started.”
This major structural shift follows quickly on the heels of a separate strategic alliance announced with Matchroom Boxing.
That particular venture aims to create vast new opportunities for female competitors across both promotional rosters.
The MVP stable already features heavy investment in women’s boxing, showcasing reigning world champions such as British stars Caroline Dubois and Chantelle Cameron.