PFL aims to create opportunities for African fighters to become world champions – Murray

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), Peter Murray, has said that the aim of the American Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) league is to create opportunities for African fighters to become world champions.

Murray has also insisted that Africa as a continent is well-positioned for the expansion of the PFL.

He said this during an exclusive interview with The Guardian, where he stated that there is a significant interest in expanding the PFL which is the fastest-growing sports league and the second MMA company worldwide in Africa.

Murray has also expressed his belief in the PFL to thrive in Nigeria and Africa, which he sees as the world’s second-largest continent and offers immense opportunities for the sport.

Murray who oversees all business strategy and operations, fighter roster, event management, production, content and marketing for the PFL which is the first organization ever to present MMA in a true sport format spoke about a lot of things in this interview…

What is the whole idea or concept behind the Professional Fighters League (PFL) Africa which is simply known as PFL Africa?

There is a significant interest in expanding MMA in the Middle East and Africa (MENA) region. Africa, being the world’s second-largest continent, offers immense opportunities.

Fans in Africa are eager for high-quality MMA events, creating a substantial demand.

Furthermore, at grassroots, amateur, and professional levels, there’s a growing pool of fighters seeking platforms to compete on a global platform.

Africa has produced formidable World Champions like Francis Ngannou, showcasing immense untapped talents.

Considering the consumer market and the talents available, we believe it’s the right time to invest more resources in bringing our MMA brand to Africa.

This will not only promote healthy competition but also unite fans across the continent.

What exactly are the plans the PFL has for its expansion in Africa as a continent?

We will organize events in our primary markets, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, and Egypt.

These countries will serve as the league’s hosts, with various events, including regular season playoffs and championships, taking place in different African nations.

The league will feature athletes from various countries, promoting diversity and representation.

Currently, our focus is on identifying, recruiting, and nurturing talent. We are dedicated to investing resources into developing the MMA ecosystem in these regions.

Do you sincerely believe that Africa is ripe enough for such an expansion?

Yes, we believe that Africa is well-positioned for this expansion. The growing interest in MMA is undeniable, further fueled by the remarkable success of African MMA champions like Francis Ngannou. Africa has gained recognition for producing some of the most exceptional fighters, celebrated not only for their skills but also for their incredible strength and tenacity.

Our objective extends beyond just capitalizing on this existing talent pool. We are committed to unearthing and nurturing more talent within the continent.

Our aim is to create opportunities for African fighters to become world champions in greater numbers, building upon the already illustrious legacy of the region.

The combination of fan enthusiasm and the inherent potential of African athletes makes us confident that this expansion will be a great success.

What led the PFL to sign the MMA Heavyweight Champion from Cameroon, Francis Ngannou and do you genuinely feel this will help you in penetrating the African market?

The signing of MMA Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou isn’t merely an athlete acquisition; it marks the beginning of a strategic partnership.

Francis possesses not only the skills of an elite MMA fighter but also the acumen of a businessperson, and we are thrilled to embark on this business venture with him.

Given that the PFL is a “fighters-first” organization, we wholeheartedly support Ngannou’s decision to pursue a boxing match on his own terms.

In addition, he will receive equity in the company, a seat on the PFL’s athlete advisory board, and assume the role of Chairman for PFL Africa.

We firmly believe that Ngannou’s global reputation, his capabilities on the African continent, and his strategic business relationships, when combined with the PFL’s vision and proven infrastructure, will ensure the success of PFL Africa.

We know about the PFL’s expansion plans in the Middle East, its move towards Africa and its brand partnerships. If I may ask, what has the reception in Africa been like? Have African brands started accepting the PFL?

Yes, things are progressing rapidly in Africa. We have signed a deal with SportyTV, which will air our content in Ghana and Nigeria.

Additionally, we have recently announced a strategic content partnership with Bets.io, a prominent iGaming platform.

This partnership will provide fans with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of our journey towards PFL Africa, including a closer look at Francis Ngannou’s efforts to bring PFL Africa to life in 2025.

This is just the start of the many partnerships we are actively working on in Africa.

How does the PFL intend to recruit fighters from this region and what is the major role of Francis Ngannou as Advisor in the PFL Global Athlete Recruitment Board and its significance for sports business and MMA’s growth, especially in Africa?

The PFL Global Advisory Board has been established for the league to closely collaborate with the greatest athletes and minds in the sport of MMA, ensuring that the PFL remains focused on its fighters-first mission and on recruiting and developing future global champions.

As part of the strategic partnership with the PFL, Francis will assume a leadership role on the PFL Global Advisory Board, becoming the first active fighter to serve on the board and represent fighters’ interests.

Together with Francis, we will be launching training camps on the continent and selecting athletes from various countries in Africa.

We will also be organizing PFL training programmes, which involve visiting the world’s best MMA gyms.

In addition to nurturing homegrown African talent, the PFL is also looking to bring more well-known names on board.

With the signing of notable athletes like Muhammad Ali’s grandson, Biaggio Ali Walsh and Saudi Arabian MMA star, Abdullah al-Qahtani, do you see the PFL achieving the same level of success it has in the United States (US) and European markets in Africa in the nearest possible future?

Yes, our goal is to replicate the success we’ve achieved in PFL Global and PFL Europe in MENA in 2024 and 2025.

The PFL offers a unique and exciting brand of MMA, characterized by its seasonal format, including qualification and knockout stages.

Fighters in the PFL earn regular season points based on their performance, with additional bonus points for knockouts and submissions, which determine their eligibility for championship events and a chance to win USD 1 million.

We have also established strategic partnerships in each region, such as Francis Ngannou for Africa, to identify and nurture the best talents and provide compelling sports action for fans.

Therefore, we are confident that the successful PFL format that has worked in the US and Europe can be extended to other markets, including Africa.

What makes the PFL different from the others? I mean what makes it stand out from other sports businesses and the competition within the industry?

These are the main key points that makes PFL stand out from the rest: It is the number two MMA company in the world, the PFL is also the number one fastest-growing company in MMA.

25% of PFL fighters are independently ranked in the top 25 in the world while the PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage.

The PFL is the only league in MMA with a sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in regular season, playoffs, and championships each year, making PFL a “win and advance” meritocracy like all other major sports.

Why has the PFL been attracting big sports stars like Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou and what makes it a preferred choice for them?

The PFL has been able to attract prominent sports figures like Jake Paul and Francis Ngannou due to its commitment to being a fighters-first organization.

Currently ranked as the number two MMA organizations globally, the PFL provides an exceptional platform for fighters.

The demand for MMA content among fans is substantial and our organization stands as a great choice for fighters aspiring to compete on a global stage alongside top-tier talent.

At the PFL, we enthusiastically welcome star and high-caliber fighters, offering them lucrative contracts while prioritizing their interests.

Our approach makes the PFL an irresistible choice for athletes of their caliber.