Reports: Jake Paul’s MVP to merge with PFL

Combat sports platforms MVP and PFL are merging.

According to a Wall Street Journal report and confirmed by others on Thursday, the companies will form under the MVP banner. PFL, aka Professional Fighters League, will be rebranded “MVP MMA.”

Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian, co-founders and board members, will lead the new company, with John Martin serving as CEO and board member.

Bidarian will continue to oversee MVP’s boxing business and events.

MVP, aka Most Valuable Promotions, was founded by Paul and Bidarian in 2021, primarily as a boxing circuit.

The PFL was founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 before being launched in 2018 through a restructuring of the World Series of Fighting.

On Nov. 20, 2023, PFL enlarged its holdings by acquiring competitor Bellator MMA.