In a major development that has rocked the combat sports landscape, the Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced its acquisition of Bellator MMA on Monday, effectively merging two of the top MMA promotions into one formidable organization. With this strategic move, PFL founder Donn Davis believes that the combined roster of PFL and Bellator will pose a significant threat to the Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) long-standing reign as the biggest and most powerful promotion in MMA.

Highlighting the promotional power and potential of the new entity, Davis pointed out that even UFC CEO Dana White has mentioned the PFL in recent appearances. Davis sees this as a sign of White's concern about the competition, especially now that two of his major rivals have joined forces. Davis envisions PFL eventually becoming a "co-leader" alongside the UFC instead of remaining in the No. 2 position.

However, some individuals within the industry are skeptical about PFL's ability to challenge the UFC's dominance. UFC fighter Matt Brown dismissed Davis' claims, emphasizing that the UFC is synonymous with cage fighting. Brown highlighted the UFC's stranglehold on the sport, including its profitability, record revenues, sold-out arenas, and pay-per-view sales that overshadow other major competitors.

Despite the skepticism, PFL's acquisition of Bellator has attracted attention and commendation for its bold move. The purchase made headlines, coinciding with PFL's upcoming championship card pay-per-view, which marks the end of the 2023 season. PFL also has its sights set on notable additions to its roster, including the potential return of ex-UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou in 2024 and the expected MMA debut of YouTube star Jake Paul.

Brown recognized PFL's efforts to shake up the MMA landscape and wished them success. While he believes that PFL and Bellator can provide fans with different matchups and a unique format, he regards them as a distant No. 2 to the UFC. Brown, an old-school MMA fan, expressed appreciation for the presence of alternative promotions and his desire to see fighters flourish outside of the UFC.

As the PFL sets its sights on long-term success, there is a recognition that being the second-largest promotion in MMA is not a detriment. The merge with Bellator brings together two organizations that aim to offer a quality product and diversify the combat sports market. While it may be a monumental task to compete with the UFC on equal footing, the PFL's acquisition of Bellator signifies a notable step forward in challenging the industry giant.

In a sport that has witnessed the rise and fall of numerous promotions, the hopes for PFL's continued growth lie in providing fans with thrilling matchups, an innovative format, and the opportunity for fighters to make their mark outside of the UFC. Only time will tell whether the PFL can truly establish itself as a worthy contender or if the UFC's dominance will remain unchallenged for the foreseeable future.