Professional Fighters League set for major expansion into UAE, reveals CEO Peter Murray

The Professional Fighters League, the world’s No 2-ranked mixed martial arts company, has identified the UAE as potentially the next destination in its expansion, with the promotion looking to base a regional league in the Emirates – and perhaps even this year’s money-spinning world championship finale.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL), which in June announced the launch of an offshoot European league, is currently assessing several opportunities to both stage year-round events and develop Middle Eastern talent in the UAE, with Dubai of particular interest.

PFL CEO Peter Murray visited the emirate last month to sound out a number of potential opportunities, including establishing a league that could feed athletes into the company’s global competition.

“There’s an incredible amount of interest to grow the sport of MMA throughout the UAE, including Dubai,” Murray told The National. “We were meeting with stakeholders to collaborate on how to advance Dubai in becoming a real force and at the forefront of the next phase of growth of MMA.

“No 1, there is an underserved consumer base throughout the UAE for fans who want access to more quality MMA and events. And, with respect to athletes, there’s a growing fighter base at the grassroots level, amateur level, and pro level who are looking for outlets and opportunities to compete on a major stage.

“We believe now is the time, based on the consumer market and the talent supply, to put more resource into developing the sport, including developing fighters.

“What does that mean? Firstly, staging major, global events in the region, in Dubai, throughout the year, combined with regional events and competition.

“We just announced PFL Europe and, as we see it, the UAE is absolutely