PFL MENA to Officially Begin Four-Event Debut Campaign in April

PFL MENA IS OFFICIAL! pic.twitter.com/G0sRCdKxo5

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024

The Professional Fighters League will officially break ground in the Middle East this April.

The organization announced on Saturday that PFL MENA will debut in April 2024. The inaugural season will feature 32 fighters competing across four weight classes in a season format, similar to what PFL Europe did during its inaugural campaign in 2023. The four-event season will include cards for the regular season, postseason and championship. A roster for PFL MENA will be announced in March, according to a release.

PFL MENA is backed by SRJ Sports Investments, which acquired a minority stake in PFL last year to aide in PFL’s Middle East expansion and to collaborate with the league to host PFL pay-per-view events in Saudi Arabia. Multiple fighters with Middle Eastern roots were on hand at PFL vs. Bellator in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday to help usher in the announcement of the new league.

“The launch of the PFL MENA League is another incredible milestone for the sport of MMA, and one we are delighted to play a role in,” said CEO of SRJ Sports Investment Danny Townsend. “Saudi Arabia is quickly emerging as the international home of combat sports; bringing world-class talent here and to the wider MENA region remains at the core of SRJ’s investment mandate. With the launch of a new PFL MENA League, we're backing the development of the region's exceptional talent, helping provide new pathways to the top. We are confident that investments like these will continue inspiring even more young people to take up sport and help grow the MMA fanbase on a global scale.”

In addition to the season format, PFL MENA will include “showcase fights to develop local and regional talents.” Hattan Alsaif, the first female fighter from Saudi Arabia to sign with a global MMA organization, is expected to make her amateur debut at a PFL MENA event.

“We are excited to announce the PFL’s second international league with our partners SRJ,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said. “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.”