The PFL executive shakeup continued in a big way Wednesday, with founder Donn Davis announcing that he is no longer chairman.
“Today I’m stepping down as chairman of PFL,” Davis said in a statement posted on X. “I care deeply about each employee, value highly every investor, respect greatly our fighters, and appreciate sincerely all our fans who supported this company. I gave you everything I’ve got.”
Davis, 63, acquired the World Series of Fighting brand in 2017 and turned it into the PFL. When it first launched in June 2018, the PFL arrived with Davis’ vision of a season format, in which fighters would compete in a regular season looking to advance to playoffs that culminated with $1 million championship fights in each division. After seven years, the promotion moved on from that format following the 2024 season.
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During his time as chairman, Davis oversaw the promotion’s expansion into PFL Europe, PFL MENA and PFL Africa, but his biggest move was the acquisition of Bellator, which was finalized in November 2023. That created a new set of challenges as many of Bellator’s top fighters – Patricio Freire, Gegard Mousasi and Aaron Pico, among them – expressed unhappiness in dealing with Davis. Mousasi filed a $15 million breach of contract lawsuit against the promotion in October 2017. Freire and Pico signed with the UFC after they were released.
Davis also was behind the promotion’s biggest signing, Francis Ngannou, in May 2023, but the former UFC heavyweight champion has since competed for PFL only once.
Davis’ resignation comes on the heels of other major changes among PFL brass this month. Former CEO Peter Murray departed the promotion six months after stepping into a new role focusing on international development, while longtime president Ray Sefo and the PFL parted ways.
Last July, the PFL named John Martin as new CEO.
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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: PFL founder Donn Davis steps down as chairman
