Jake Paul Takes Control Of PFL After MVP Merger

Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian have taken control of the Professional Fighters League following what the organizations called a landmark merger, MMA Mania reports.

The combined entity will operate under the MVP banner, with former PFL executive John Martin shifting to CEO and Board Member. The rebrand is set for completion by January 2027, around the same time Scott Coker's new promotion is expected to launch. Existing PFL backers 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital will fund the new venture.

Paul Teases MMA Debut Under New Banner

Paul, who has fought exclusively as a boxer since his 2020 professional debut, told the media he plans to compete in MMA under the merged promotion. "I look forward to putting my entire promotional muscle into our new company, returning to the boxing ring and making my MVP MMA debut," he said in a statement.

The YouTuber-turned-fighter framed the merger as an acceleration of MVP's original mission. "We started MVP to disrupt a broken model," Paul said. "Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision by a decade."

Paul directed a message at fighters under contract elsewhere, saying the new organization is "open for business when you are contractually free." The merger positions MVP as a direct competitor to the UFC and Coker's forthcoming promotion in what could become a crowded market for free agents in 2027.

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• MMA Mania — Jake Paul now in charge of PFL following ‘landmark merger’ with MVP, teases MMA debut