Saudi Arabia-backed mixed martial arts league in talks to purchase rival

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The Professional Fighters League is in talks to acquire its mixed martial arts competitor Bellator, as the Saudi Arabia-backed league’s founder goes on a talent acquisition drive.

The negotiations follow a $100mn investment in PFL in August by a newly created sports company owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign Public Investment Fund. The league, founded in 2017 by US entrepreneur Donn Davis, is looking to go head-to-head with rival Endeavor’s Ultimate Fighting Championship, which has long dominated the mixed martial arts world.

The UFC has been at the forefront of securing mainstream popularity for mixed martial arts, generating about $1.1bn in revenue in 2022.

Three people familiar with the discussions said the talks between PFL and Bellator were continuing. Entertainment group Paramount Global, which owns Bellator, did not respond to requests for comment.

PFL has more than 70 fighters on its roster. Acquiring Bellator could boost the number as the company vies with the UFC and seeks to expand Saudi Arabia’s influence in the sport.

Davis declined to confirm the talks but told the Financial Times that his league, which has already attracted big names such as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, was looking to expand its talent pool.

“Our aim would always be to acquire the top talent in the marketplace,” said Davis.

UFC chief executive Dana White last month dismissed the kingdom’s investment in PFL, the first by a Saudi sports company owned by the PIF. He said the league was “burning cash” and questioned why Saudi Arabia would invest in it.

Davis said his company had raised about $500mn in its last financing round. He did not comment on the company’s losses but acknowledged that PFL was in “investment mode and growing mode.”

“UFC is in harvesting mode, in maturity mode. They are doing extremely well. but PFL is new,” he said. “PFL’s mission is to be the co-leader [with UFC] in mixed martial arts. There will be more than one big company.”

The ambition is shared by PIF, which may increase its investment in the company. Two people familiar with the matter said the sovereign wealth fund had studied an investment in mixed martial arts before settling on PFL.

They “didn’t want to be number two”, said one of the people.

Under the deal, PFL would create a Middle East and north Africa league headquartered in Saudi Arabia, alongside five other international leagues in Europe, Australia, Latin America, India and Asia. Saudi Arabia would also host PFL pay-per-view fights, including a match between Ngannou and influencer and boxer Jake Paul next year.

The PFL investment comes amid a broader Saudi push into sports that has seen the kingdom snap up big names in football such as Cristiano Ronaldo. The PIF is also embroiled in controversial discussions over a partnership between the PGA professional golf tour and its own LIV golf league.

Despite claims by critics that the country is guilty of “sportswashing” to distract from its human rights record, Saudi officials say the efforts are part of a broader economic diversification programme that includes attracting investment and tourism to the country.

“The reaction [to the Saudi investment] that we’ve gotten over the past few weeks has been very positive,” said Davis.

Additional reporting by Samuel Agini in London