PFL Chairman Donn Davis Confirms End of Bellator Brand

Donn Davis, the Chairman of the PFL, has confirmed that the Bellator brand is over.
Bellator merged with PFL in 2023 after the latter made a deal to buy the promotion. It was done with the aim of creating the biggest fights in MMA. Champions from the PFL and Bellator would face each other. This happened last year on the PFL vs. Bellator Champs card. One example was when Renan Ferreira stopped Ryan Bader to remain the PFL Heavyweight Champion. It was hoped this would be the springboard to better things. But that is not how things have played out. Bellator champions have slammed the PFL, claiming they do not get enough fights.
“[The] self-called co-leader in MMA and fighters-first organization is cutting a bunch of fighters and forcing others to take pay cuts up to 70%. No respect for fighter contracts and what they’ve accomplished. The self-called fighters-first organization is also changing its contracts so it’s almost impossible for fighters to be free agents and to leave on free agency. Also tying down payments for many years and taking away all their leverage. The self-called co-leader in MMA is ghosting some fighters and managers, and leaving them with no answers while the owner makes silly and disrespectful posts on social media,” Pitbull said
PFL Reacts
Patricio Pitbull and Patchy Mix were two noticeable examples of this. Pitbull has been released from the promotion, which could open the floodgates for other fighters to do the same. There are also worries that the PFL is losing money. They recently confirmed that they were removing their $1 million yearly tournament prize by cutting the prize money to $500,000. While the PFL has said their fighters will fight twice a year, the reduced prize money will not help matters.
“Professional Fighters League acquired Bellator MMA one year ago primarily for its great fighter roster. The PFL brand has become synonymous with the “win and advance” format and product innovation. PFL has established itself as a premium brand doing things different to help grow our great sport of MMA. Going forward all fight events and content will be PFL branded.
“The Bellator brand carries a rich history that will continue to be respected and appreciated through select feature title bouts. Fans will continue to enjoy the immense Bellator fight library and historic fight content throughout our social, digital, and partner channels. All of our fighters are now integrated and connected in one powerful PFL brand worldwide,” PFL
This raises questions about how long the PFL can last. Dana White has previously hinted that the promotion is losing money. While the PFL has tried to pride itself on paying fighters more than other promotions, it has to remain sustainable. The UFC may arguably pay less, but it is a bigger brand. There is a fine balancing act in trying to keep everyone happy.
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