Saudi-Backed Professional Fighters League Buys Bellator From Paramount Global, Says Roster “Now Equal In Stature To UFC”
deadline.comMixed martial arts outfit Professional Fighters League (PFL) has acquired Bellator from Paramount Global, saying the deal that includes top fighters and creates “a roster now equal in stature to UFC.” Financial details weren’t disclosed.
The deal comes after Paramount announced last month it plans to shut the sports operations at Showtime by the end of the year in an ongoing overhaul of the network.
All newly acquired Bellator fighters will become part of the PFL platform and available to compete in PFL fight franchises. As a result, the league said PFL and UFC both showcase rosters that are 30% comprised of fighters who are top 25 independently world-ranked in their weight-classes and that PFL and Bellator now has the best roster of women’s fighters in the world.
PFL will continue the Bellator brand, and Bellator will be the “one-off” event product from PFL. PFL will launch a reimagined Bellator product in 2024 led by the Bellator International Champions Series — consisting of eight fight events each year hosted in major cities across the globe.
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