The Professional Fighters League has announced its raised $65 million in new financing, approximately two months ahead of its 2021 season.
In a released statement, the mixed martial arts league said the funds will “accelerate PFL’s momentum, innovation, and growth as it builds off its strong foundation as the No. 2 company worldwide.”
“PFL is the disruptive company in the massive and underserved MMA market, and this new capital will fuel our aggressive growth from the No. 2 worldwide market position the company has quickly secured,” stated PFL chairman and co-founder Donn Davis.
The PFL, which airs in the U.S. on ESPN platforms, was launched in 2018, as a re-branded organization from the World Series of Fighting. It is owned and operated by a group of Washington D.C. sports and business executives, including Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Washington Capitals, Mystics and Wizards, and Mark D. Lerner, the owner of the Washington Nationals.
The organization is centered around a non-traditional ‘season’ format in MMA, which culminates in a full playoffs schedule at the end of the year. The PFL, which was forced to cancel its season in 2020 due to the coronavirus, heads into 2021 with several new athlete additions including heavyweight Fabricio Werdum, welterweight Rory MacDonald and lightweight Anthony Pettis, among others.
The new season is scheduled to begin on April 23. The season events will take place in Las Vegas.