MMA League Planning To Launch Division Out Of U.A.E. In 2023 Or 2024

The Professional Fighters League is making moves. Big moves.

A couple weeks ago, the season-based MMA league announced it would launch PFL Europe in 2023 — a division that will feature events that exclusively take place in European countries, broadcast and streamed primetime in Europe, and feature fighters from the continent.

Following Europe, the next stop for the PFL will be the Middle East — more specifically, the United Arab Emirates.

PFL president Peter Murray recently said his organization plans on launching the PFL UAE in 2023 or 2024. The UAE division will feature fighters solely from the Middle East and broadcast and stream on regional distribution.

“Different countries want to be at the forefront of the next phase of growth of this global sport. We’re really, really excited about what’s going on,” Murray said.

The league’s ultimate plan for PFL UAE is to develop talent from the Middle East and provide a pipeline for the region’s best fighters to reach the PFL global roster.

Murray pointed out that the Middle East is rich in MMA talent, noting that the PFL already has one Middle Eastern star on its roster, welterweight Jarrah Hussein Al-Silawi, who hails from Jordan.

“There’s a hunger in the region and a multitude of athletes who are training,” Murray said. “And with our expertise to further develop athletes at the grassroots level, and at the pro level, we can provide an outlet for the fighters.”

Murray said consumer demand is another factor on the PFL’s move to the Middle East, with Murray citing data that nearly 50% of sports fans in the UAE are avid fans of MMA.

Murray said more specific details of PFL UAE will be announced later this year while adding: “We have a number of options for strategic partners to make it happen and we are assessing the right path in the UAE.”

PFL playoffs up next…

Amid global expansion news, the PFL is prepping for its postseason. The first playoff event is set for the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, featuring lightweights and light heavyweights.

The playoffs continue across the pond. Welterweights and heavyweights will battle it out in Cardiff, Wales on Aug. 13, and then featherweights and women’s lightweights will face off in London on Aug. 20. On both U.K. cards, European fighters will be competing for PFL contracts.

“We’re entering that next phase to fulfill that demand among fans,” Murray said. “And the PFL will fulfill that demand, and provide regional athletes a chances to compete.”