Partner Insight Segment:Professional Fighters League - WCOS 2024 · 21:12

PFL Chairman and co-founder Donn Davis joins this Partner Insight conversation to discuss how the Professional Fighters League is redefining MMA through a season-based format, global expansion, and a fighter‑first business model. Davis breaks down why MMA is one of the world’s most under‑monetized global sports, how PFL’s “March Madness meets MMA” structure resonates with fans and fighters, and why the next phase of growth lies in regional leagues feeding a global championship ecosystem. The conversation also explores global media trends, streaming disruption, demographics, sovereign wealth investment, and what the future holds for sports leagues competing in a rapidly evolving media and business landscape. ⏱️ Timestamps (Chapters) 00:00 – Introduction & opening reactions 00:08 – Welcome to Donn Davis, PFL Chairman & co-founder 00:30 – Why Donn Davis started PFL in 2018 01:45 – Biggest surprises building PFL over five years 02:49 – Competing with UFC: brand vs. fighter quality 04:04 – Structuring MMA like a major league sport 04:12 – “March Madness meets MMA” format explained 05:11 – Why every PFL fight has real stakes 05:53 – Building a global company regionally 06:05 – PFL’s international model: Europe, Africa, Middle East 07:33 – Lessons sports executives can apply beyond combat sports 09:00 – Where global growth opportunities are headed 09:12 – The long-term bet on China and India 10:00 – Streamers, sports rights & the delayed tipping point 11:25 – When big tech truly changes sports media 11:52 – Demographics: why MMA owns the under‑35 audience 13:06 – Advertisers, youth audiences & emerging sports 14:01 – Saudi Arabia’s PIF investment and global strategy 15:08 – Why PFL aims to be a co-leader in MMA 15:50 – Why Don Davis really started PFL 19:13 – Final reflections on opportunity and impact 19:26 – Rapid fire: Buy / Sell / Hold (Spring football, youth sports, NCAA) 21:05 – Closing remarks

July 25, 2025