Outside Source
Donn Davis (right) was a central figure in the PFL’s growth in recent years. | PFL MMA
Professional Fighters League continues to undergo some significant changes at the top of the executive chain.
On Wednesday, PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis announced that he is stepping down from his position in the promotion. In recent years, Davis was often the face of the PFL in interviews, press conferences and other announcements.
Advertisement
“From the moment I founded Professional Fighters League eight years ago, it has been my life,” Davis wrote on X. “My vision was to create an innovative and premium MMA company as the valuable alternative for those that want or need it. We started with nothing except universal skepticism. Against all odds, we succeeded. Now PFL is the clear No. 2 MMA company worldwide and the only other premium product.
“Today, I’m stepping down as chairman of PFL. I care deeply about each employee, value highly every investor, respect greatly our fighters and appreciate sincerely all our fans who supported this company. I gave you everything I’ve got.”
Davis is just the latest executive to exit the PFL. Earlier this year, former CEO Peter Murray parted ways with the organization following a brief stint in an international role, and longtime president Ray Sefo stepped down from his role shortly thereafter. John Martin, the PFL’s new CEO, is currently the primary face of the league.
As he bids farewell, Davis believes the PFL is stronger than ever as it heads into the future under new leadership.
“PFL global footprint, valuable assets and market position has never before been achieved in MMA outside of UFC. I’m confident this foundation should lead to great future success,” Davis wrote. “PFL changed the sport of MMA for the better — meaningful innovations, unique global expansion, fighter empowerment — and the company is just getting started.
“I’ve loved fighting to build PFL. What do you fight for?”
Extra Funding and an Organizational Overhaul
On the same day that Davis announced he was departing the organization, the PFL revealed in a release that it had completed “a strategic capital raise that strengthens the organization’s financial position and ownership structure as it enters a pivotal year of growth in 2026 and beyond.”
According to the release, Knighthead Capital Management, LLC (“Knighthead”) and 885 Capital have expanded their ownership stakes in the PFL as part of the transaction. The newly-raised capital is expected to “retire existing debt and fund ongoing growth and operations.”
A brief summary of the two companies involved in the strategic capital raise is as follows:
Knighthead brings deep expertise in investing, operational turnarounds, and scaling global platforms across sports, media, entertainment, and live events, while 885 Capital is a growthoriented investment firm with a track record of backing category-defining sports and technology properties.
The PFL also revealed that it has established a new nine-member board of directors to help oversee “the organization’s strategic direction as it enters its next phase of growth and product evolution.” Additionally, it was announced that Lenny Daniels and Jason Oberlander will join Martin as part of the PFL executive team.
“This capital raise marks a pivotal moment for PFL,” Martin said in a release. “With a stronger financial foundation, engaged ownership, and experienced leadership in place, we are positioned to build a more compelling product for fighters and fans while accelerating our global ambitions.”
PFL Road to Dubai is set for Feb. 7 and is headlined by a lightweight title bout between Usman Nurmagomeodv and Alfie Davis. The release states that while international markets will remain a “core focus” going forward, PFL will also “increase its emphasis on the U.S.”
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
Help support MMACrazies.com when you shop Amazon by starting your online Amazon shopping at MMACrazies.com/recommends/amazon. You are not charged extra, but we receive a small and very helpful commission on everything you purchase. Thanks for thinking of us every time you shop at Amazon.
