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A rare occurrence: one of the biggest stories of the year in MMA isn’t related to the UFC. The PFL has long been the distant No. 2 in MMA behind the UFC. Now, as of this week, they made a splash move in an attempt to bridge that sizable gap.
The PFL has merged with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, per Uncrowned editor Ariel Helwani. As a result, the PFL will soon become MVP MMA, with MVP Promotions serving as an umbrella for both boxing and MMA.
MORE: Anthony Smith arrest details include disturbing claims against ex-UFC star
Paul, the face of the MVP brand, has said this merger is why “the UFC will no longer be the place where people judge fighters as to who the best in the world is.”
Strong words, and the merger is great for the MVP brand and for the UFC as well, bringing some sort of competition to the worldwide leader. That is, if MVP MMA actually becomes real competition.
The face of the UFC, Dana White, was asked about the merger. He said he isn’t exactly worried.
MORE: Michael Morales-UFC 330 rumors on potential fight debunked
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) co-founder Jake Paul arrives at the El Paso County Coliseum ahead of the Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm 2 fight card on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in El Paso, Texas. | El Paso Times per Imagn Images
While being interviewed by The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis, White was asked about the merger and what he thought of it. In typical fashion, White was quick to write the new MMA league off.
White said, “When s—t isn’t working for anybody, we should all probably get together. Let’s take two organizations that don’t sell tickets, and nobody watches, and let’s merge them together and make a bigger company that we won’t sell tickets to, and nobody will watch.”
MORE: Dustin Poirier apologizes on-air for airport incident that led to arrest
White even doubled down by saying, “I don’t look at any of those guys as our competition. We’re in a whole-‘nother stratosphere now. I’m competing with all the majors.”
Frankly, White is on the money here. The MVP-PFL merger is interesting and will bring more eyes to the sport in general. But the PFL roster’s notoriety is nothing compared to UFC’s stars.
There are no Conor McGregors, Sean O’Malleys or Ilia Topurias in the PFL. Also, MVP MMA has had one event, headlined by a fight with zero stakes.
Having Ronda Rousey back is always a positive. That being said, anyone with a brain knows that Rousey isn’t competing at the highest level anymore. While having Rousey back was intriguing, it doesn’t change the landscape of who the best is.
The UFC is, and will continue to be, the standard in Mixed Martial Arts.
Continue reading...
The PFL has merged with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions, per Uncrowned editor Ariel Helwani. As a result, the PFL will soon become MVP MMA, with MVP Promotions serving as an umbrella for both boxing and MMA.
MORE: Anthony Smith arrest details include disturbing claims against ex-UFC star
Paul, the face of the MVP brand, has said this merger is why “the UFC will no longer be the place where people judge fighters as to who the best in the world is.”
Strong words, and the merger is great for the MVP brand and for the UFC as well, bringing some sort of competition to the worldwide leader. That is, if MVP MMA actually becomes real competition.
The face of the UFC, Dana White, was asked about the merger. He said he isn’t exactly worried.
MORE: Michael Morales-UFC 330 rumors on potential fight debunked
Dana White dismisses MVP MMA as competitors
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Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) co-founder Jake Paul arrives at the El Paso County Coliseum ahead of the Stephanie Han vs. Holly Holm 2 fight card on Saturday, May 30, 2026, in El Paso, Texas. | El Paso Times per Imagn Images
While being interviewed by The Mac Life’s Oscar Willis, White was asked about the merger and what he thought of it. In typical fashion, White was quick to write the new MMA league off.
White said, “When s—t isn’t working for anybody, we should all probably get together. Let’s take two organizations that don’t sell tickets, and nobody watches, and let’s merge them together and make a bigger company that we won’t sell tickets to, and nobody will watch.”
MORE: Dustin Poirier apologizes on-air for airport incident that led to arrest
White even doubled down by saying, “I don’t look at any of those guys as our competition. We’re in a whole-‘nother stratosphere now. I’m competing with all the majors.”
Frankly, White is on the money here. The MVP-PFL merger is interesting and will bring more eyes to the sport in general. But the PFL roster’s notoriety is nothing compared to UFC’s stars.
There are no Conor McGregors, Sean O’Malleys or Ilia Topurias in the PFL. Also, MVP MMA has had one event, headlined by a fight with zero stakes.
Having Ronda Rousey back is always a positive. That being said, anyone with a brain knows that Rousey isn’t competing at the highest level anymore. While having Rousey back was intriguing, it doesn’t change the landscape of who the best is.
The UFC is, and will continue to be, the standard in Mixed Martial Arts.
Continue reading...
