It took the Professional Fighters League less than five years to find themselves at the top of the mixed martial arts industry. As a result, they now share the seat with an institution such as the UFC. Four years and three successful seasons in the US-based MMA league is already one of the most talked-about. This was bound to happen with stars like Kayla Harrison and Ray Cooper III carrying the PFL banner.

Further, proven world champions like Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum, Rory MacDonald, and Claressa Shields have all chosen to ply their trade in the league.

The genius behind PFL’s success

The PFL’s success is because of what one can see upfront – a unique sports-style tournament format and a star-studded roster. However, a lot of the league’s success can be attributed to what goes on behind the scenes. More specifically, PFL chairman and co-founder Donn Davis.

Apart from bringing in an all-star cast of partners and investors, Davis has also helped the PFL stand out from the rest of the field. In fact, he is a master at building disruptive companies. He has brought the same disruptive genius to the PFL, starting with the league’s one-of-a-kind format, which isn’t the norm in the MMA world.

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“I grew up loving boxing and I love a big boxing match, but a promoter deciding who’s fighting for the championship is not sport, because sport is meritocracy, transparency, win in advance, lose and go home. You have to earn it,” Davis said in an interview with TVSportsMag.com.

“I said, we’re going to start the PFL and it’ll be fighter first, fan first, and we’ll give them a sports season format just like the NBA day or the NFL. A regular season, those who qualify make the playoffs, single-elimination playoffs, and culminates in a championship,” he continued.

Fighters control their destiny

According to Davis, it’s the fighters who control their destiny in the PFL. However, this isn’t necessarily the case with other promotions.

“In the PFL they control their own destiny. That’s what you want. That’s what I want. That’s what anyone wants. Is the opportunity to go as far as your talent will take you and have no one standing in your way with any BS or any politics.”

Further, innovation is also something that Davis has championed in the PFL. Through his efforts, the PFL has become the most innovative sports league in the world. The most notable execution is the league’s proprietary SmartCage technology, which brings the viewers closer to the action than ever.

“The PFL video product is the most exciting, innovative video product in all of sport. If you haven’t seen it, you’ll be blown away. So if you’re not even an MMA fan, but just a sport fan, you have to check it out. You’ll have the hardest punch in that round. You’ll have computerized storing telling you what’s happening. And that’s all innovation on top of the best fights in MMA,” Davis explained.

The PFL has exciting plans for 2022

As the league celebrates a widely successful 2021 season, they’re already gearing up for their upcoming 2022 season. Many expect 2022 to be their biggest yet. This year, the league will launch brand-new properties. Therefore, they expect to ramp up the number of events throughout 2022.

PFL Continues Massive Fighter Acquisition Spree to Match Promotional Growth

“We’re excited about two things: One we’re launching PFL pay-per-view super fights, massive fights outside of the league season,” Davis shared.

“The second thing is a PFL challenger series where unknown pro fighters, should they win the challenger series, they immediately get a contract or a slot in the league that year and they could become a real world Rocky, become champion, win a million dollars,” he continued.

Lastly, much like the fighters that look to become champions and change their lives, Davis says that he too is on a quest to become better at what he does.

“I’m on the same journey that the PFL fighters are on. They’re trying to make themselves be champion and they’re entrepreneurs, they’re betting on themselves,” he said.

“I’m trying to make the PFL become a co-leader at MMA. So the fighters and the PFL are on the same journey together. How do we change the sport of MMA for the better? And I love doing it,” he added.