PFL And Jake Paul's MVP Merge Into New Global League

The Professional Fighters League and Most Valuable Promotions completed a merger that creates a new global combat sports entity operating under the MVP banner, as Sherdog first reported.

Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian will serve as co-founders and board members of the combined organization, while former PFL chief executive John Martin takes the CEO role. The new league promises what it calls a fighter-first approach, including equitable pay structures and brand-building freedom that appear aimed squarely at the UFC's business model.

What The PFL-MVP Merger Means For Fighter Pay

Founding investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management committed fresh capital to the venture, which now controls a roster of roughly 400 fighters across boxing and MMA. The combined company plans to stage five premium events in August alone, spanning both disciplines.

Paul framed the deal as a challenge to what he called a broken industry model. "We started MVP to disrupt a broken model," he said in a statement. "Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision by a decade. We now have a scaled platform to give today's fans what they want: elite talent mixed with culture, lifestyle, and massive social velocity." He also confirmed plans for an MVP MMA debut alongside a return to boxing.

Martin said the merger brings together PFL's global infrastructure — 34 broadcast and streaming partners reaching over 170 countries — with MVP's ability to create what he described as cultural moments. The league controls boxing operations under Bidarian while Martin oversees the broader organization.

The new company invited fighters from rival promotions to join once their contracts expire. Paul's statement closed with a direct pitch: "To fighters fighting in other organizations, we are open for business when you are contractually free."

Reported via:

• Sherdog — PFL, Jake Paul’s MVP merge to form new global combat sports company