PFL CEO John Martin previews “the most important year in the company’s history”

Professional Fighters League CEO John Martin spoke with Grind City Media’s John Morgan. With five months at the helm of the organization Martin outlined several key changes and labeled 2026 the most important year in the history of the mixed martial arts promotion, which hosts its first event of the new year on Saturday, February 7, live on the ESPN App.

Martin talked about recent personnel changes at the company, the importance of an additional fundraising round, a new deal with Fox, the implementation of fighter rankings, and much more – including the possibility of a Cris Cyborg vs. Dakota Ditcheva superfight later in the year.

0:00 – Departure of Donn Davis, Pete Murray, Ray Sefo and more
2:55 – Role of Knighthead Capital and 885 Capital as longterm partners
3:53 – Fox broadcast deal in Mexico and Central America
5:14 – Status of adding more international leagues
7:29 – Partnering with Combat Registry to provide PFL rankings
9:15 – Previewing PFL Dubai on February 7
12:24 – Dakota Ditcheva update
14:00 – Checking in on Francis Ngannou
14:35 – “This is the most important year in the company’s history”