PFL is continuing to grow its brand in the Middle East as they bring in Dubai businessman Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum.
With the finals of their PFL MENA tournament still to come later this year, the promotion are strengthening ties in the region with the addition of the business mogul. Their Champions Series events are already branded ‘Road to Dubai’, and they are expected to return later this year.
Just last weekend, they brought the Champions Series to South Africa, where Costello Van Steenis stunned the unbeaten Johnny Eblen to become middleweight champion. The card also featured the returns of Dakota Ditcheva and Corey Anderson.
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PFL adds new member to global ownership group
This morning, PFL announced the newest member of their global ownership group; Sheikh Mohammed Bin Maktoum Bin Juma Al Maktoum. The Emirati businessman is the founding Chairman of Alpha MBM Investments, and plays a big part in Dubai’s economic direction.
“I am delighted to join the PFL’s ownership group as I believe in PFL’s global vision to grow the sport of MMA,’ Sheikh Mohammed said in a statement today. “And I am excited by PFL’s momentum in staging world-class fight events in Dubai and the UAE region.”
“PFL is excited to welcome Sheikh Mohammed and his expertise to our ownership group,” Peter Murray, CEO of PFL International, added. “This marks another major milestone in our global expansion strategy and reinforces our long-term commitment to expanding our presence in the Middle East.
“With the addition of Sheikh Mohammed to the PFL ownership group, the league is further poised to deliver premium MMA experiences in the UAE and across the broader MENA region, while also building pathways for regional fighters to compete on the global stage.”
PFL’s last visit to Dubai was promotion’s biggest ever fight
Last time the PFL visited Dubai, fans at the Coca-Cola Arena were treated to a stunning five round battle between Paul Hughes and Usman Nurmagomedov. The champion just about reclaimed his gold, and fans have been clamouring for the rematch ever since.
Unfortunately, the promotion appear to be gearing towards Nurmagomedov fighting the lesser-known Archie Colgan instead. The unbeaten American has been on a winning run, and recently defeated Mansour Barnaoui to become the official number one contender.
This hasn’t stopped Hughes from campaigning, however, and fans are keen to see the pair face off once more. The Irishman, in the interim, packed out the SSE Arena in his home town of Belfast and quickly knocked out Bruno Miranda to stay busy.