MMA News: 2022 Set To Become PFL’s Biggest Year Yet

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is coming off arguably its most successful season yet in 2021.

The only promotion that features mixed martial arts (MMA) in a sports season-style format, PFL enjoyed growth in numerous points last year, ranging from roster depth to audience and fanbase growth.

The 2021 season featured arguably the league’s most star-studded roster yet, with the addition of world champions such as Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum and Claressa Shields.

By the end of the highly-exciting season, more titleholders were crowned and more stars were born.

Through its steps in innovation, the organization was also able to open doors for a wider fan base.

Partnerships with the biggest networks in the world, various content platforms, and even betting and sportsbook partners, PFL wad also able to tap into more eyes and more potential viewers.

With that being said, 2022 is shaping up to be an even bigger one.

For starters, the league is looking to add even more events to its 2022 schedule.

“2022’s going to be all about expanding our portfolio of live event properties,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray in an interview with Awful Announcing, “Number one, we will expand the number of events tied to our season format. Our championship will be two events versus one.”

Apart from more events, the MMA outfit is likewise set to launch a pivotal new property called the PFL Challenger Series, which will feature events in February and March.

Through the PFL Challenger Series, fighters will have the opportunity to compete for a contract that will land them a spot with the league.

“We’re going to launch the PFL Challenger Series; that will be eight consecutive live events in February and March. The PFL Challenger Series is really about pro fighters, many of whom are in the early stages of their career, who are aspiring to get to the season format or get a development deal with the PFL,” Murray explained.

“Eight contracts will be awarded, one each night, throughout the course of those fights. There will be four fights a night on those cards. And this product is going to be really a digital-focused product, a younger-skewing audience, and we’ll integrate data and betting, real-time betting within the stream. And then combine that with a panel of judges made up of icons, MMA icons, broader icons from sports, in addition to some entertainment personalities and giving fans a vote and a say on who should get the contract. That’s a real differentiator versus other properties out there,” he added.

Murray revealed that PFL will also be looking to add pay-per-view events, as well as continuing its on-going international qualifiers series that is expected to break ground in Europe and Africa this year.

“You’re talking about over 30 live events coming from the PFL in 2022. So it will be a year-round activation for live events with differentiated products. We’re very excited about it. We’re really tripling down on live event content,” Murray stated.

With more events in the pipeline plus a talent-laden roster in the fold, 2022 is indeed shaping up to be a landmark year for PFL.