Donn Davis has officially stepped down as chairman of the Professional Fighters League, closing a significant chapter in the organization’s history as it prepares for a pivotal year ahead.
The announcement was made on Wednesday through Davis’ personal statement shared across social media platforms. His departure comes after eight years at the helm of the promotion he founded, and follows recent exits by longtime PFL CEO Peter Murray and president Ray Sefo.
With leadership changes accelerating and a restructured ownership group now in place, the PFL enters 2026 at an important crossroads.
A Founder’s Farewell Message
In his statement, Davis reflected on the journey of building the PFL from the ground up. He described the promotion as his life’s work and emphasized the challenges faced in its early years.
Davis highlighted how the organization began with limited resources and widespread skepticism, yet steadily grew into what he described as the world’s second largest MMA promotion.
He credited the league’s rise to a commitment toward innovation, global expansion, and creating a viable alternative within the sport.
Building the PFL From the Ground Up
Donn Davis founded the Professional Fighters League in 2017 after a group of investors purchased the World Series of Fighting. The promotion officially launched in 2018 with a format that stood apart from traditional MMA organizations.
PFL introduced a season based structure that included a regular season, playoffs, and championship finals. This approach brought a sports league model into mixed martial arts, offering fighters a clear path to titles and million dollar prize purses.
Under Davis’ leadership, the promotion expanded rapidly, growing from a domestic operation into a global league with events staged across multiple continents.
Expansion and Global Reach
Over the past eight years, the PFL built a wide international footprint. The promotion established partnerships with major broadcasters and distributed content across nearly 190 countries.
The league also expanded into regional markets, launching operations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa while continuing to develop its North American presence.
Davis frequently emphasized fighter empowerment as a central pillar of the organization, highlighting transparent contracts, seasonal formats, and financial incentives as key differentiators.
Leadership Changes Accelerate
Donn Davis’ exit follows the recent departures of CEO Peter Murray and PFL president Ray Sefo, marking a period of substantial leadership turnover.
Former Time Warner executive John Martin joined the organization in late 2025 as the new chief executive officer. Under Martin’s leadership, the promotion has already implemented changes to competition formats and branding strategy.
The organization has also added several new senior executives, including a chief operating officer and chief commercial officer, as it prepares for the next phase of growth.
New Ownership Structure Takes Shape
Alongside Davis’ resignation, the PFL announced a successful new capital raise aimed at strengthening its financial position.
According to the company, the funding will be used to retire existing debt and support ongoing operations throughout 2026. Investment firms Knighthead Capital Management and 885 Capital increased their ownership stakes and now hold lead ownership positions.
The promotion also confirmed the creation of a new nine member board of directors tasked with overseeing strategic direction as the company evolves.
Navigating a Critical Year Ahead
The leadership shift comes at a particularly important moment for the promotion. PFL’s broadcast agreement with ESPN is expected to expire at the end of 2026, placing additional focus on performance, viewership, and brand positioning throughout the year.
The organization is scheduled to launch its 2026 campaign on February 7 with an event in Dubai. The card is set to be headlined by lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defending his title against 2025 tournament winner Alfie Davis.
With 24 live events planned across the calendar year, the league will look to maintain momentum while navigating structural changes behind the scenes.
Davis Reflects on the Legacy
In his farewell message, Davis expressed gratitude toward PFL employees, investors, fighters, and supporters who contributed to the league’s rise.
He stated that the organization’s global footprint and asset base had never been achieved by any MMA promotion outside of the UFC, and voiced confidence that the foundation laid over the past eight years would support long term success.
Davis did not announce any immediate future plans, though his statement made clear that he views his role in building the PFL as complete.
A Defining Moment for the PFL
As the Professional Fighters League moves forward without its founder, the coming months will play a significant role in shaping its direction.
With fresh leadership, renewed investment, and an evolving competitive format, the promotion enters 2026 positioned for both opportunity and scrutiny.
Donn Davis’ departure marks the end of an era, but also signals the beginning of a new chapter as the PFL looks to solidify its place in the global MMA landscape.
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