PFL releases official statement after Bellator dump: “One Brand…One Roster”
PFL chairman and founder Donn Davis publicly releases new tow line after dissolution of the global Bellator MMA brand.
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PFL releases official statement regarding Bellator MMA mega-dump (Source: X)
The Bellator MMA brand is gone and deadbeat. PFL MMA released an official statement regarding its future. Sans Bellator, of course. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) acquired the Bellator brand equity and roster in November 2023.
On Tuesday, PFL chairman and founder Donn Davis made the statement public on social media, confirming an initial report by Ariel Helwani. Essentially, the Bellator MMA brand, that Bjorn Rebney founded in 2008, will not be an active-sanction spot for fighters. However, the extensive fight offering would be up for viewing.
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.
Professional Fighters League (PFL) Official press release statement; H/T: Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) on X
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.
After the lengthy press statement, Davis touted a “One Brand 👊@PFLMMA👊One Roster” line to tow for the revamp. It is hard to know if this will be a pitfall or the new slogan to go. The move away from the Bellator MMA branding is just part of the changes in 2025 event schedule. There will also no longer be a season-long tournament with a $1 million purse.
ALL fighters now integrated and connected in one powerful roster
— Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) January 14, 2025
One Brand 👊@PFLMMA 👊One Roster
Professional Fighters League #PFLMMA pic.twitter.com/JcylkqFQSA
Akin to MMA/UFC rival – CEO Dana White’s omen – PFL might be bleeding dry trying to absorb another body. In the new structure, there will be PFL Champions Series events crowning divisional champs.
Whether or not current Bellator titleholders such as Patricio “Pitbull” Freire, Corey Anderson, and Usman Nurmagomedov will have their champ status moving on is up in the air. From now on, a $500,000 prize in fighter-specific contracts would be in play. One fighter though is saying good riddance to it all.
‘Pitbull’ off the leash, free to talk to UFC now
The PFL is not abandoning tournaments altogether. It will now host a Grand Prix-style one-elimination tournament, with the winner taking home $500,000. The PFL launched its full-season format in 2018, completing six seasons, each with a $1 million prize pool. But some fighters (mostly of the Bellator MMA lineup) could give less of a hoot!
This info dump, or the fact that their fights are up to gawk at in the PFL library does not help at all. That is mostly due to the nature of such a mega-merger, many Bellator talents could not book fights. Enter Patricio “Pitbull” Freire – or should it be an exit? After weeks of Freire (36-7 MMA, 24-6 UFC) publicly dissing and asking for release, Davis has obliged.
We are releasing @PatricioPitbull
Donn Davis (@DonnDavisPFL) on X
@PFLMMA is all about opportunity. I founded this company to create new great opportunities for top fighters. PFL has and will continue to do that for all top fighters who want to be here
#PFLMMA
As much as I appreciate an earlier termination of my deal and a waiver of the exclusive negotiation period, you are stull retaining matching rights so I’m not exactly free. If you’re so kind to let me go, why not make it an unconditional release? https://t.co/aTKrwfRwSn
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) January 14, 2025
Freire, 37, is free to talk to the UFC and other promotions but could face a fight clause in matching rights. Freire debuted with the brand at Bellator 15 in April 2010. He has made 30 appearances in the promotion. He primarily competed at featherweight, where he was a three-time champion, but also held the promotion’s lightweight title.
A champ for four separate reigns with nine title defenses, top dog “Pitbull” wants his pound of flesh in freedom. For now, matching rights aren’t his own. Before this, Ex-Bellator Middleweight champ, Gegard Mousasi, filed an 81-page civil suit in New Jersey. He sought damages due to the $800,000 high contract, where PFL held him out of competition after the merger. It’s a turbulent running and other pit bulls can exit the doghouse as well. Keep checking this tab for more.
Related: PFL 2023 Best moments: 10 times PFL fighters stunned the world inside the cage
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