PFL
Professional Fighters League (formerly World Series of Fighting) · 2012 –
Active (merging into MVP)
- Founded
- WSOF founded 2012; renamed PFL 2017, first PFL season 2018
- Founders
- Donn Davis (PFL); WSOF launched 2012
- Home base
- USA
- Fate
- Active. Merged with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's MVP in July 2026; the MMA roster is moving to the MVP MMA banner.
Notable Eras
- World Series of Fighting, 2012–2017
- PFL season-and-playoffs era with $1M prizes, 2018–2024
- Tournament and Champions Series era from 2025
- Merger with MVP announced July 30, 2026
Key Events
- WSOF 1 (2012)
- PFL 2018 season
- PFL Super Fights: Ngannou vs. Ferreira (2024)
Legendary Champions
- Ray Cooper III
- Lance Palmer
- Natan Schulte
The Full History
2012–2017: World Series of Fighting
WSOF launched in 2012 with a deal with the NBC Sports Network.
2017–2024: The League
After a rebuild led by Donn Davis, the company relaunched as the Professional Fighters League with a 2018 regular season, playoffs and $1 million champions' prizes. It bought Bellator in 2023 and signed Francis Ngannou.
2025–2026: Reinvention
In 2025 the PFL scrapped the season for tournaments and Champions Series events. On July 30, 2026 it agreed to merge with Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's Most Valuable Promotions, with the MMA business moving under the MVP MMA name.
Legacy
The first major promotion to treat MMA like a sports league, with standings, playoffs and a season.
