US mixed martial arts promotion the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced that Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena and London’s Copper Box Arena will host its first events in the UK as part of a new deal with live entertainment company Live Nation.
The PFL, which after being founded in 2018 now claims to be the No.2 MMA company worldwide by all key metrics, will stage two major back-to-back 2022 Playoffs in Cardiff and London on August 13 and August 20, respectively.
The 2022 PFL Playoffs will kick off in New York City on August 5 at Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, before the league heads over the Atlantic to conclude with the events at Motorpoint Arena and Copper Box Arena.
“We’re thrilled to announce our international partnership with Live Nation as the world’s top music and entertainment promoter makes its move into the world’s fastest growing sport,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
The pathway to the 2022 PFL World Championships, and $1m (£798,300/€937,300) purse that comes with it, will begin with a field of 24 fighters across six divisions. Each of the three Playoff events will feature the top-four fighters across two weight divisions battling to earn a spot in the final.
“We’re delighted to partner with the Professional Fighters League to deliver their first UK events this summer,” said Sean Ryman, vice-president of sport and family entertainment at Live Nation UK. “The PFL is a global brand in combat sports with an elite roster of athletes, the UK is excited and ready for this and it’s long overdue”.
The PFL’s announcement comes after the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) last week detailed plans for its debut in France, with Accor Arena to host an event in Paris on September 3.
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