Bellator MMA was founded in 2008 and headquartered in Hollywood, California, United States. The mixed martial arts promotion is no longer owned by Paramount Global, a mass media and entertainment conglomerate based in New York City, New York, USA.
On October 26, 2011, Bellator MMA was acquired by Viacom. On December 4, 2019, Viacom and CBS Corporation merged and formed ViacomCBS.
On February 15, 2022, ViacomCBS was renamed Paramount Global. On November 20, 2023, the Professional Fighters League completed the acquisition of Bellator MMA from Paramount Global.
PFL x Bellator MMA
Bellator MMA has successfully identified and developed dozens of acclaimed MMA world champions. Its current fighter roster has 46 fighters world-ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class per independent source Fight Matrix Rankings.
Including Bellator MMA, the PFL now has five live fight franchises. The others are the PFL League Season, the PFL PPV Super Fights, the PFL Challenger Series and the PFL International Leagues.
All newly acquired Bellator MMA fighters will become part of the PFL platform and available to compete in PFL fight franchises. The PFL will still continue the Bellator MMA brand as its one-off event product.
As a fighter-first and fan-focused organization, the PFL plans to stage a landmark mega-event featuring matches between its champions and Bellator MMA champions in all seven weight classes. In 2024, the PFL will launch a reimagined Bellator MMA product called the Bellator International Champions Series, which will consist of eight fight events each year hosted in major cities around the world.
Details of Bellator MMA events, distribution, partnerships and management will be announced at a later date. Each event will feature two co-main fights competing for championship belts.
Donn Davis x Peter Murray
The PFL was founded by Donn Davis in January 2018. Since its inception, he has been its chairman along with Peter Murray as the chief executive officer.
“PFL is now a global powerhouse in MMA,” Davis stated. “Our Bellator acquisition turbocharges PFL’s mission to innovate the sport and become the industry co-leader.”
Davis and Murray continue to lead and operate the combined company of the PFL and Bellator MMA. Citi and LionTree served as financial advisors to the PFL while Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to the promotion.
“The combined PFL and Bellator fighter rosters are second to none in MMA,” Murray said. “We can’t wait to bring MMA fans what they have been asking for, best vs best with the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions Mega-Event.”
CONAN Daily 