Former Fighter Dismisses Jake Paul Impact On PFL Merger

Former Strikeforce fighter Erik Apple doubts Jake Paul's promotional acumen can rescue the Professional Fighters League from its ongoing struggles.

Apple, who consulted for the World Series of Fighting — the PFL's predecessor — during its 2012 launch, told BetOnline's The Fight Guys podcast that the merger between Paul's Most Valuable Promotions and the PFL lacks the juice to change the promotion's fortunes. The deal, announced earlier this summer and set to take effect in 2027, reunites Paul with the league he previously co-chaired alongside Francis Ngannou.

Apple Questions PFL's Ability To Build Interest Despite Paul Partnership

"I have massive respect for Jake Paul. I think he's brilliant, and how they've brought his boxing career along," Apple said, per BJ Penn. "It's just the PFL has been so lackluster that it's hard for me to be convinced that it's going to be great." Apple added that the promotion has "never made money" despite "hundreds of millions of dollars" in investment rounds, and criticized its marketing as virtually nonexistent.

Paul parted ways with the PFL in January after his contract expired without competing in the cage. He's now considering an MMA debut in 2027 against Nate Diaz, whom he beat by unanimous decision in a 2023 boxing match. The merger positions MVP to house top free agents like Usman Nurmagomedov, who became available after defeating Archie Colgan earlier this summer, and Johnny Eblen.

Apple acknowledged the promotion's international roster but said he can't remember the last time he watched a PFL card. "They have all kinds of good, international fighters," he said. "But they just can't make it interesting, even for me, someone whose life has revolved around fighting." The promotion continues its transition under CEO John Martin's leadership ahead of the 2027 merger launch.

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• BJPenn — Jake Paul’s ‘brilliance’ not enough to boost PFL after MVP merger per former fighter