Most Valuable Promotions has merged with the Professional Fighters League, but the boxing side of Jake Paul’s promotion is not going anywhere. Nakisa Bidarian will continue running MVP’s boxing business and its Blockbuster Live Events under the combined company, which will operate under the MVP banner going forward.
John Martin, previously PFL’s CEO, takes over as CEO of the merged company. Paul and Bidarian remain co-founders and board members, with Paul continuing to drive audience growth and fan engagement across the business.
MVPW Remains The Boxing Cornerstone
MVP and MVPW will continue as the boxing and live-event cornerstones of the new company, with PFL’s MMA infrastructure folding in separately as MVP MMA. The deal comes backed by fresh capital from Founding Investors 885 Capital and Knighthead Capital Management, who are joining existing PFL shareholders in the new entity.
The timing lines up with MVP’s newly announced alliance with Matchroom Boxing, struck just a day earlier around WBC champion Skye Nicolson. MVP’s boxing partnerships now span Netflix, ESPN, Sky Sports and DAZN, alongside PFL’s international distribution network of 34 partners.
Paul Signals A Return To The Ring
Paul used the merger announcement to address his own fighting future, which had been in doubt since he suffered a jaw injury in his December knockout loss to Anthony Joshua. He said he’s “returning to the boxing ring and making my MVP MMA debut,” the clearest signal yet that he intends to fight again on both fronts.
Martin framed the deal as a scale play for the combined operation. “This merger brings scale in operations and in distribution,” he said, pointing to sponsorship, fighter development and fan engagement as areas the new company plans to expand.
Bidarian said the merger strengthens MVP’s ability to keep building out its boxing operation alongside the new MMA push. “We are creating a new global home for combat sports,” he said.
The combined company will stage five premium live events across boxing and MMA in August. Additional details on how MVPW’s boxing calendar folds into the new structure are expected in the coming weeks.
