After a massive year that saw them stage major shows worldwide, the PFL is planning even more in 2025.
This is according to promotional boss Peter Murray, who has helped to grow the fledgling promotion to arguably the sport’s second biggest after the UFC. After a big 2023, they delivered on a major Francis Ngannou fight this year, as well as two outings for Cedric Doumbe and another $1million tournament.
And there are plans to expand further in the next few years, particularly given the successes of this year. They broke gate records in France with Doumbe’s first fight at the Accor Arena back in March, as well as returning to pay-per-view with Ngannou and announcing a new deal to bring shows to Dubai.
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Peter Murray details expansion plans for PFL
PFL CEO Peter Murray has regularly championed the promotion’s efforts around the world at expanding their brand. They have one more show this year; the end of their European season on December 14 in Lyon, and will then move on to an even bigger 2025.
“We have a regular cadence for every property,” Murray told talkSPORT on Friday while appearing at their major showcase Global Season finale. “This year, we had 28 events.
“Next year, we’ll have 36 events. Come 2026, we’ll have 50 events. So we’re focused on our global franchise events and then regional league events.”
This year they announced their purchase of Bellator, which has not been without its share of controversy. There are a number of fighters vocal about their displeasure with being unable to get fights after the merger, but Murray believes it was the right decision to make the acquisition.
“It’s a great call,” Murray said. “I think with the acquisition of Bellator, some fighters and fans don’t understand where that fits in.
“But now that we’ve established the Champions Series, it’s the super fights on top, then the Champions Series, then the global season, and the international leagues. That’s the architecture and that’s the pathway for fighters.”
PFL expects to host major events worldwide in 2025 and 2026
Part of the PFL’s expansion plan includes a number of regional leagues, where fighters compete for a $100,000 prize. The cream of the crop can then graduate to the $1million global season, or even super fights with the stars of Bellator or other PFL marquee names.
“It’s about the growth of the sport,” Murray continued. “At the end of the day, our mission is to give fighters throughout the world the opportunity to earn their way to become champions through our regional league system.
“We have PFL Europe up-and-running, PFL MENA [Middle East and North Africa] this was the inaugural season. Next year we have PFL Africa, I’m really excited about PFL Australia and the Pacific Region and then Latin America and Asia, six international leagues in the next two years.
“So we’ve proved it out in Europe and we’ve had an incredible first season in PFL MENA. Next year it will expand beyond just hosting events in Saudi, we’ll be hosting events in countries throughout the Middle East and it’s going to expand the sport.”
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