Professional Fighters League, Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments sign global MMA agreement

RIYADH: Officials from the Professional Fighters League and Saudi Arabia’s SRJ Sports Investments have signed a deal to bolster the league’s global expansion drive, recruit top fighters, and build its fanbase as it aims to become the co-leader in mixed martial arts around the world.

As part of the agreement, SRJ — established by the Saudi Public Investment Fund — has acquired a minority equity ownership stake in the PFL and will become an investor in a new regional league, PFL MENA, due to launch in 2024.

It will also support the PFL’s expansion in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East and North Africa region. The Kingdom already has two fighters, Mostafa Neda and Abdullah Al-Qahtani, participating in the PFL.

Additionally, SRJ and the PFL will develop and host the PFL PPV Super Fights events in Saudi Arabia.

PFL founder and chairman, Donn Davis, said: “PFL’s mission is to become the global co-leader in MMA with our fighter-first mission and disruptive sport-season format.

“This investment by SRJ continues the monumental growth that PFL has experienced throughout the world, and there is no better partner in global sports than SRJ.”

SRJ chairman, Bander Bin Mogren, said: “Today marks a new milestone for SRJ as we make our inaugural investment. SRJ is shaping a new era of sports in Saudi Arabia and accelerating the growth of the domestic sports economy.

“This investment aims to nurture the local and regional talent pool in martial arts, promote gender equality in sport, and bring new opportunities directly to Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.”

PFL CEO, Peter Murray, said: “The PFL and SRJ share the same vision for mixed martial arts – the biggest star fighters, mega global events, and global expansion to