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PFL, Jake Paul’s MVP merge to form new global combat sports company

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PFL, Jake Paul’s MVP merge to form new global combat sports company

Professional Fighters League and
Most Valuable Promotions have officially merged in a massive
development in the world of combat sports.

The new company will operate under the MVP banner, led by
Co-Founders and Board Members Jake Paul and
Nakisa Bidarian. Meanwhile, former PFL CEO John Martin will serve
as CEO and Board Member of the new league. MVP's boxing business
and blockbuster live events will continue under Bidarian. Existing
PFL shareholders 885 Capital and affiliated entities Knighthead
Capital Management will be the founding investors of the new
league, committing new capital.

The new league vows to work under a “fighter-first†philosophy,
seemingly challenging rival
Ultimate Fighting Championship. While the UFC has been severely
criticized over minimum profit share for athletes, the new combat
sports league promises equitable compensation. The new league also
plans to encourage athletes to build their brands inside and
outside of competition, probably hinting at freedom to choose
sponsors.

What the PFL-MVP merger means for Jake Paul, fighter pay, the
UFC and the future of MMA and boxing

“We started MVP to disrupt a broken model,†Jake Paul, co-founder
of Most Valuable Promotions, said in a press release. “We wanted to
give fighters fair pay and a bigger, modernized stage to become
global superstars. Joining forces with PFL accelerates that vision
by a decade. We now have a scaled platform to give today’s fans
what they want: elite talent mixed with culture, lifestyle, and
massive social velocity. MVP was always bigger than me and bigger
than any one fighter. MVP is an inevitable movement that needs to
happen for the athletes, and now we have all the resources we need
to build something that changes this sport forever. I have more
conviction in MVP than ever, driven by the proliferation of AI,
which will only increase the value of real, live experiences and
the sports properties that can bring fans closer to the athletes
they love. I look forward to putting my entire promotional muscle
into our new company, returning to the boxing ring and making my
MVP MMA debut. To all current MVP and PFL fighters, things just got
bigger. To fighters fighting in other organizations, we are open
for business when you are contractually free. The time for change
is now. Welcome to MVP.â€

The combined company also vows to display its capabilities by
hosting five premium events across boxing and MMA in August. The
brand will have 400 athletes combined under its roster and plans to
invest aggressively in both sports.

A lightweight
title fight headlines PFL NY: Tune on Friday, July 31 at 7 p.m. ET
on ESPN.

“Over the past seven years, PFL has built the world's No. 2 global
MMA company, assembling one of the sport's most elite fighter
rosters while creating a world-class global business with premier
media distribution across 34 broadcast and streaming partners,
reaching fans in more than 170 countries,†John Martin, chief
executive officer of the new company said in a press release. “At
the same time, MVP has redefined how combat sports connects with a
new generation of fans, creating events that become cultural
moments and proving that athletes, sports, entertainment and
creators can all thrive together. This merger brings scale – in
operations, in distribution and media rights, in sponsorship, in
fighter development and in fan engagement. We’re not just combining
companies, we’re bringing an entire combat sports community
together and creating a more powerful platform to accelerate
growth. One company, one global stage, millions of fans and we’re
only just getting started. I’m excited to work with Jake and Nakisa
as we build the future of combat sports together, and I’m deeply
grateful for the continued confidence and support of our lead
investors, 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management.â€

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MMA

Bare Knuckle FC teases Michael 'Venom' Page reunion after potential UFC split

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Bare Knuckle FC teases Michael 'Venom' Page reunion after potential UFC split

Bare Knuckle FC president David Feldman says they're actively monitoring Michael ‘Venom' Page's UFC status after his contract expired.

UFC welterweight Michael ‘Venom' Page's standing with the promotion remains unknown after his fourth straight win against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris last weekend. Page, a former Bellator title challenger, was removed from the UFC's media rankings after his latest win, signaling a potential departure from the promotion.

Page's contract expired once he departed the Octagon on Saturday night, and it's uncertain whether or not the UFC will opt to sign him to a new contract. While earning recent victories in the cage, the lackluster, sluggish nature of his wins has turned off many fight fans.

Before Page signed with the UFC in 2023, he fought once in Bare Knuckle FC against Mike Perry in what turned out to be an instant classic fight. If Page isn't brought back to the UFC, his former promotion is interested in a reunion.

David Feldman confirms BKFC ‘interested' in re-signing Michael ‘Venom' Page

In a recent interview with Bloody Elbow, BKFC president David Feldman reacted to Page's reported removal from the UFC roster.

“I don't know if his contract is actually terminated,†Feldman said of Page.

“That's a pretty fast time to get his contract terminated, so I don't wanna make any moves on him yet, and say that's what we want. We would definitely welcome ‘MVP'. When he fought for us with Mike Perry, it was a pretty exciting match, and a lot of people actually thought he won that fight.

“You can't really be boring in BKFC, so it's hard for him to fight that type of fight in BKFC,†Feldman continued on Page. “We would be interested? Yes. I think BKFC will force excitement out of ‘MVP', and I think that the fans would love that.â€

What should be Michael ‘Venom' Page's next move? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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MMA

GRAPHIC | Dillon Danis shares nasty aftermath of injury that forced Mike Perry fight withdrawal

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GRAPHIC | Dillon Danis shares nasty aftermath of injury that forced Mike Perry fight withdrawal

Polarizing combat sports star Dillon Danis' arm injury which forced him out of his scheduled Mike Perry clash was gruesome.

Dillon Danis and Bare Knuckle FC superstar Mike Perry were supposed to clash in the inaugural Duel Arena MMA main event last month in Florida. But just hours before the event, Danis withdrew from the fight due to an arm injury suffered during his final preparations.

Despite his brash nature, Danis seemed genuinely heartbroken at having to pull out of his clash with Perry in his MMA return. Perry went on to lose to short-notice replacement Brandon Jenkins in the Duel Arena 1 main event due to injury.

Danis shared initial footage of his injury showing a graphic laceration on his arm during Duel Arena 1 fight week. As Danis prepares for his potential combat sports return, he shared additional footage that showed the severity of the ailment.

Dillon Danis shares graphic footage of arm injury suffered ahead of Mike Perry fight

In a recent tweet, Danis shared the aftermath of his gruesome arm injury. You can watch the video he posted here.

Danis hasn't fought in Mixed Martial arts since submitting Warren Spencer in 15 seconds at Misfits 22 last year. He won the inaugural Misfits MMA light heavyweight championship after six years away from the cage.

In addition to his MMA aspirations, Danis remains a top name on the Real American Freestyle mats and will face off with Arman Tsarukyan next month. Danis lost back-to-back wrestling matches against Colby Covington and Khamzat Chimaev earlier this year.

As of this writing, it's uncertain how long Danis will need to recover from his arm injury, but he's expected to miss the rest of 2026. When he's ready to return to action, expect Danis to be a name to watch in 2027.

Would you want to see a Dillon Danis vs. Mike Perry MMA rebooking? Share your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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MMA

Salahdine Parnasse uncertain Max Holloway will accept fight after his UFC Paris win: 'I’m ready for anyone'

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Salahdine Parnasse uncertain Max Holloway will accept fight after his UFC Paris win: 'I’m ready for anyone'

Salahdine Parnasse isn't sure Max Holloway will accept his callout.

Parnasse is coming off his UFC debut, as he headlined UFC Paris on Saturday and scored a first-round TKO win over Dan Hooker. It was a great performance, and after the win, he called out Holloway but isn't sure if he will accept it, as he knows he poses a lot of problems for the Hawaiian.

“I really, really think I'm ready. I've been training for a long time, since I was 11 years old, for this. I'm very ready for that. In KSW, I had three fights before fighting for the belt, against very big names in KSW. I had great fights. In the UFC, I don't know what's going to happen, but I called out Max Holloway. I really hope he's going to accept,†Parnasse said to Ariel Helwani.

Parnasse vs. Holloway does make a lot of sense, as the winner could get a title shot. Yet, whether or not the Hawaiian would take on Parnasse, who isn't as well-known as other contenders.

Salahdine Parnasse open to fighting whoever after UFC Paris

Although Parnasse called out Holloway after his win, he said he's open to anything.

Parnasse knows some top contenders may not want to fight him, so he's willing to face whoever to prove how good he is.

“Look at my face. It's clean. Tomorrow, I'm ready,†Parnasse added. “Max Holloway would be the perfect fight. He likes challenges, and I think we could have a very good war together. I have a lot of respect for Max, and I don't like trash talk — that's not my personality. I'm ready for anyone in the top five.â€

Parnasse is 24-2 as a pro and coming off the win over Hooker. He's the former KSW featherweight and lightweight champion.

Would you like to see Salahdine Parnasse vs. Max Holloway after UFC Paris?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM


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