The first MMA league to trade the 'freelance' model for a season

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For years, mixed martial arts functioned as a series of independent contracts. The Professional Fighters League disrupted this by introducing a structured sports model: regular seasons, post-season playoffs, and championships. It transformed the way athletes compete, moving from year-round sporadic bouts to a defined, tournament-style narrative.

Founded in 2017 by venture capitalist Donn Davis and launched in 2018, the PFL was the first major MMA organization to adopt a league format. This structure was designed to mirror traditional sports, featuring a regular season and a championship post-season. However, the organization has since pivoted, transitioning from the strict league format back to a year-round basis by 2026, while still maintaining multiple championship belts across various weight classes.

The league's growth has been fueled by aggressive expansion and high-profile acquisitions. In November 2023, the PFL acquired Bellator MMA from Paramount Global, a move intended to establish the PFL as a global powerhouse. This acquisition included a crossover of champions and the creation of the Bellator Champions Series. The PFL broadened its global reach by establishing regional divisions, such as the 2023 PFL Europe and the upcoming PFL Africa, which will debut during the second quarter of 2025 led by ex-UFC titleholder Francis Ngannou.

The PFL has also pioneered unique commercial and regulatory milestones. It became the first sports league to launch a fan non-fungible token (NFT) in October 2020. In 2023, it introduced the 'Super Fight' division, a pay-per-view series co-founded by influencer Jake Paul, where fighters earn at least 50 percent of the revenue—a significant increase over the 20 percent typically earned in the UFC. To ensure integrity, the league also hired USADA to oversee drug testing after ten athletes failed tests during the first half of the 2023 season.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• From single-elimination tournaments to a final consolidation
• The UFC's complex evolution from cable debut to global expansion
• From tournament brawls to regulated weight classes: the evolution of the UFC championship
• How a near-bankrupt fighting promotion transformed into a multi-billion-dollar global sports empire
• How a media rights deal reshaped the landscape of professional boxing in 2026
• Can electoral systems ensure that every vote cast actually helps elect a representative?
• The scholar princess who leads a royal branch after 144 years
• The Invisible Empire: How Protectorates Redefine Sovereignty Without Direct Possession
• Why Japan's Prime Minister holds more executive power than most parliamentary leaders
• How a debt-ridden company birthed the Protectorate of Uganda in 1894
• The prime minister is a modern invention that evolved from royal servants to leaders.
• How a Disney show tune inspired a militant group known for street violence

More in Countries and other regions · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics