Jake Paul and PFL announce merger to challenge UFC dominance
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 30, 2026, 3:09 PM
Last updated Jul 30, 2026
Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian have merged their company, Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), creating a new combat sports entity. Announced on July 30, 2026, the merged brand aims to leverage the combined rosters and could potentially reshape the MMA as a significant competitor to the UFC. Current PFL CEO John Martin will become the CEO of MVP MMA, while MVP continues its boxing efforts. Separate event schedules will persist until a brand migration is completed by early 2027., the merger will have backing from PFL shareholders to strengthen financial support and attract fighters with competitive compensation.
- •MVP and PFL merger announced on July 30, 2026.
- •New entity aims to combine nearly 400 athletes from both rosters.
- •John Martin named CEO of the new organization.
- •Separate PFL and MVP events to continue through 2026.
- •Financial backing includes 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management.
- 3:09 PMYahoo Sports — Jake Paul just took over the UFC's biggest competitor — here's what it all means
"Jake Paul has once again found himself in the center of a combat sports spectacle — and this time there’s no telling where things go from here.
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