Professional Fighters League to launch MENA regional competition in April
The Professional Fighters League has confirmed the highly anticipated debut of its PFL MENA regional competition, set to kick off in April 2024.
This event marks a significant moment in the world of mixed martial arts, as 32 fighters from the Middle East and North Africa region prepare to compete across four weight classes.
The inaugural PFL MENA competition will feature a comprehensive structure, including a regular season, playoffs and championship, spanning four exhilarating events. In addition to showcasing the region’s top talents, the league will host showcase fights aimed at developing local and regional fighters, further enriching the MMA landscape in MENA.
PFL MENA’s launch solidifies its position as the premier MMA league in the Middle East, building upon the success of the PFL Europe, which debuted in 2023.
The genesis of PFL MENA can be traced back to last August when SRJ Sports Investments, a new investment company formed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), secured a stake in the PFL. This deal, valued at a reported US$100 million, paved the way for collaboration on PFL MENA, highlighting the immense potential of MMA in the region.
The upcoming regional competition follows the success of the PFL’s first-ever pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia on February 24, which featured ‘PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions’ at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. This event served as a precursor to the launch of PFL MENA.
“We are excited to announce the PFL’s second international league with our partners SRJ,” PFL Chief Executive Peter Murray stated.
“Driven by the strategic importance of mixed martial arts in burgeoning markets, SRJ’s investment underscores the immense potential of the sport in the region.
“PFL MENA expands the PFL brand and MMA footprint in the Middle East bringing events to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the wider region.”
The full roster of fighters set to compete in PFL MENA will be announced in March.
