PFL’s new boss John Martin is already laying down the law, and he plans to make 2026 the company’s biggest year yet.
The former Turner CEO took over late last year, first presiding over an event in an official capacity for Usman Nurmagomedov and Paul Hughes’ scintillating Dubai rematch. He has since handed out belts to the likes of Vadim Nemkov and Cris Cyborg and now plots the most important 12 months in PFL history.
Atop the list of priorities for this year is the matter of a media rights deal in America. The promotion has been with ESPN for years, but that contract ends shortly and for the first time since their inception, Martin is planning to make some big money in a deal that proves their spot as a top sporting entity.
PFL will drop Global Season in order to focus on making the biggest fights
The biggest move of John Martin’s tenure thus far is the decision to remove the ‘league’ aspect of the Professional Fighters League. There will be tournaments in their global markets still, but he believes that in America they’ll be better served with putting their biggest stars in the biggest fights.
Prior to last year, the promotion would run a group stage type operation similar to the World Cup or Champions League in soccer. This would lead to play-offs and ultimately a $1million final, but that was replaced by the straight elimination World Tournament in 2025 which had a $500,000 prize.
Speaking exclusively with Bloody Elbow, Martin explained: “I live every day like it’s the most important day of my life and I genuinely believe that 2026 is going to be best year in PFL history. It’s a year where we’re moving away from the world tournament in the United States.
“That’s important because we are going to be able to showcase championship, elite fights on every card in the United States for the first time. We’ll be able to introduce a lot of American viewers to the type of talent we have that previously they weren’t exposed to that much.
“I think that’s incredibly exciting in a year where we’re going to be talking to potential rights buyers about who wants to be in business with us from the beginning of 2027 and beyond. I think every year is critically important but I look forward to this year delighting fans and raising the level of our brand.
“There are a lot of bright days ahead for our company and I can’t wait to showcase the talent and the depth that we have at the PFL.”
PFL is even more fucked with ESPN pay walling their events behind $30/month ESPN Unlimited. They were already struggling to get viewers and this makes their product even more inaccessible.
I never watch PFL
Does anybody?
Nope.
They’d be wise to do whatever they need to do in order to end up on Netflix. They need exposure or they’ll die soon.
Think Netflix even knows about PFL?
Having ESPN paywall PFL behind their $30/month plan is the worst thing that could happen to PFL. Now no one is going to be able to see it.
They’re clearly looking into live sports and are feeling a lot of pressure from Paramount. I doubt that they’d pay the PFL much, but they’d probably be into it for the right price.
ESPN doesn’t want any MMA on their channel? Is it all skateboard crap?
Chairman and CEO of PFL Africa
they must be a money laundering front for someone because nobody watches their PPVs and nobody buys tickets for their events.
no
The best year in PFL history??? What does that even mean? Is that like being the nicest guy in prison or something???
I watch sonetimes,but the flow of the show is a bit wonkey full of blank spaces and randy and big john babble’n…they can keep hardy on mic but should everyone elsr.it could not suck with emergized people comentating…
Agree. People have criticized the horrendous pacing for years and PFL refuses to address it.
It’s like they have no ringmaster or leader to pump and build the energy of a show.hate to say it,but dana is a boss and his focus and energy can be seen in the end product…plf vibe is b league prowrasslin….but they could survive and thrive which gives fans more options…
Do people even steal pfl?
It’s impossible to find a stream. I tried for the last one with the Russian guy
I’d watch but I always forget its on
Tell that CEO guy to text me when its on
Ehh when they have a decent card I’ll try to watch but half the time I have no idea when they put on events
I’m glad they are moving away from the season aspect though as that never worked
How is it they absorbed all of Bellators roster and still manage to mostly suck?