The PFL has officially revealed its long-rumored acquisition of Bellator, and PFL Chairman Donn Davis thinks UFC CEO Dana White may be taken aback by the announcement.
When Bellator was first established in 2008, it was unquestionably the second-best MMA organization in the industry, trailing only the UFC. Even after two stacked shows in October and November, there have been persistent rumors that Bellator would be for sale. This week, the PFL officially revealed that it had purchased the competitor promotion.
What Did Donn Davis Said On Dana White After Acquiring Bellator?
In an interview with Ariel Helwani the day the news was announced, Davis discussed a variety of subjects and speculated about White’s possible emotions following his previous press conference questions about a possible PFL and Bellator merger.
“Everybody knows Dana well enough that he only dismisses things that worry him, or else he just doesn’t comment,” Davis said on The MMA Hour. “He didn’t comment on the PFL for four years, ‘cause he wasn’t worried. He’s commented on the PFL a lot the last six months – [he’s] worried.”
After changing its name from World Series of Fighting (WSOF), the PFL launched its first season in 2018. This year, the promotion has brought in big stars in the free agency market, like Francis Ngannou, Amanda Serrano, and Jake Paul.
The PFL’s position as the second-largest MMA organization globally, behind the UFC, will only be strengthened with the addition of Bellator’s athletes, and Davis fully anticipates that difference to narrow even further in 2024.
In order to get the best talent available and get rid of rival promotions, the UFC is well-known for having acquired Pride, Strikeforce, and WEC. Although many of those fighters went on to have great success in the organization, those business decisions also contributed to the current lawsuit against the UFC.
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