TKO Executives Welcome MVP-PFL Competition

TKO Group Holdings executives say they aren't concerned about the newly merged MVP-PFL promotion, even as Jake Paul positions the combined company as a direct challenger to the UFC's dominance in MMA.

TKO president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro told investors during a Monday earnings call that neither promotion was sustainable on its own, according to MMA Fighting. "Now they've come together, and we'll see what they can conjure up," Shapiro said. "What we know is that competition has always made us stronger and a rising tide lifts all boats."

What The MVP-PFL Merger Means For UFC

The merger will see the PFL absorbed into Most Valuable Promotions, with both boxing and MMA events operating under the MVP banner. Paul has already stated he plans to make his MMA debut in 2027, potentially against an established name like Nate Diaz. MVP's first MMA card in May, headlined by Ronda Rousey, drew strong ratings on Netflix.

UFC CEO Dana White took a harder stance than TKO's ownership, immediately dismissing MVP as legitimate competition. Paul has taken an adversarial approach, openly targeting the UFC's market share in MMA and hinting at an ambitious 2027 schedule.

The combined promotion's sustainability remains untested, though Paul can point to the Netflix ratings as proof of concept. His planned cage debut could serve as a major draw if paired with a veteran opponent.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — UFC owners welcome competition from new MVP-PFL combined company: ‘A rising tide lifts all boats’ | MMA Fighting