PFL: Bellator merger talks, new signings, best of the rest?

Fresh off a deadly duo signing of lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and professional boxer Jake Paul the Professional Fighters League (PFL) are not messing around in 2023. Established in 2018, exactly a decade after it's closest competitor and now potential merger Bellator MMA was founded, the PFL looks to establish itself as the newly crowned best MMA promotion outside of the UFC.

By Rhys Lawrence

New PFL signings Jake Paul (Left) and Francis Ngannou (Right) with company CEO Peter Murray (Middle) [Photos L-R: ESPN, US Saudi School, Francis Ngannou via X}

Following months of rumours and initial reports that the Professional Fighters League (PFL) were set to takeover U.S promotion Bellator MMA the talks have now slowed but have not totally broken down, sources confirmed to MMA Fighting's senior insider Ariel Helwani.

"Its still live but it's not done, and its going to be a couple months before it likely would get done. As of right now, the PFL/Bellator deal is still being worked out."

Initial reports began to circulate in early 2023 of a highly anticipated merger deal between the US conglomerates. With Bellator MMA recently celebrating its 300 event earlier this month, many expected this to be the companies finale. However, an announcement of Bellator 301 for Nov.17 seems to ponder more questions than answers regarding the layout of this deal.

So not imminent but still on track for a major shift in the space of mixed martial arts, the PFL will look to close a deal towards the end of 2023 but most likely will conclude business the following year. Interestingly, the PFL look to their own octagon rather than Bellator's as their linear television deal ends this year with ESPN. Ariel Helwani added on his show 'The MMA Hour':

"I suspect by January, 2024 we will have a resolution to this. 2024 is going to be huge for PFL, because they need to lock down their new television deal also."

Interestingly Bellator MMA's funding is through television network Paramount Global. With the PFL's television deal with ESPN expiring in 2024 it begs the question if part of a potential deal between both parties may include a television deal through Paramount.

Whether it's a merger between both promotions or a full take over, the PFL is now in the driving seat chasing down pole position. The potential addition of Bellator MMA's roster to an ever-growing one of their own with some of the biggest names in the sport.

Listen to The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani for the latest on the Bellator MMA/PFL saga below:

PFL winning in the free agent market

Notable free agent signings: Francis Ngannou (UFC), Jake Paul (Boxing), Cedric Doumbe (MMA GP), Amanda Serrano (Boxing), Savannah Marshal (Boxing), Derek Brunson (UFC), Shane Burgos (UFC).

L-R: Francis Ngannou (Left), Jake Paul (Middle), Cedric Doumbe (Right) Photos: (Francis Ngannou via X , US Sun, Box Mag)

The undisputed champion of free agent signings in 2023 is the PFL and it's not even close. Dominant in their delegations with free agents the PFL have constructed an all-star panel with some of the biggest names in combat sport signed to their special PPV divisions.

Most notably was the signing of lineal heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou who decided to part ways with the UFC after becoming the heavyweight champion of the world. After defeating heavyweight great Stipe Miocic in 2021, and later defending the belt against number one contender Ciryl Gane, Francis Ngannou decided against resigning with the UFC and looked elsewhere... enter the PFL.

Heavily criticised for walking away from the number one promotion in the world, Francis Ngannou proved the doubters wrong much like he has done his entire life. With a one of a kind deal agreed with the PFL Francis Ngannou, the face of PFL, looks likely to debut in 2024 in the newly created super heavyweight PPV division.

The PFL have made it clear they're not just looking for top MMA competition as they now widen their pool of talent into signing boxing stars. With the addition of professional boxer/internet sensation Jake Paul and his client and undisputed world featherweight champion Amanda Serrano, the promotion looks to broaden their audience and make the first real attempt of cross sport promotion.

Jake Paul (Left) and Amanda Serrano (Right) announcement posters via PFL X

Like Francis Ngannou, these athletes are expected to make their intriguing debuts in 2024 with the pair having to manage schedules of boxing fights in between. Both Paul and Serrano are expected to gain major interest with them being on majorly successful shows in recent years.

More boxers have followed in recent weeks with the announcement of undisputed supermiddle weight champion Savannah Marshall.

Savannah Marshall signing announcement via PFL X

The PFL are not only dominating free agent signings but are also thinking about their immediate impacts. Savannah Marshall has now signed for the same promotion as her biggest boxing rival undisputed middleweight champion Claressa Shields who signed for the PFL back in 2020.

The pair squared off in boxing's biggest female event to date last year with Shields winning via unanimous decision. Shields went 1-1 in her stint fighting for the PFL before returning to her first love boxing. With both novices as mixed martial artists but expert strikers it makes for even more of an intriguing matchup than their boxing fight and one the PFL should look to make right away.

A stigma that follows many promotions is that athletes well past their primes chase paydays at the end of their careers following stints in the premiere promotion UFC. The PFL are looking to distance themselves from such descriptions with the signings of former UFC top contenders Shane Burgos and Derek Brunson.

Signing two top contenders still within their prime therefore reversing that narrative has the PFL looking like a premiere destination and one that began with Francis Ngannou. The heavyweight champions decision to leave the UFC for the PFL has given confidence to others such as Burgos and Brunson showing them there's other options.

Shane Burgos (Left) and Derek Brunson (Right) signing announcements via PFL X

With more free agent signings in 2023 than all other promotions combined the PFL have begun to climb the rankings and make it known their intentions going forward in the sport of MMA. Whether it's with or without Bellator MMA as part of their plans, the PFL could soon become the first genuine opponent for the current pound-for-pound number one the UFC.