PFL and Bellator promise ‘new era of MMA’ with launch of ‘Champions Series’ with title fight and huge rematch confirmed

BELLATOR and the Professional Fighters League have promised a “new era of MMA” following the launch of their “Champions Series”.

The PFL last year confirmed their takeover of Bellator with the two promotions merging this year.

Bellator’s first event of 2024 has been confirmed

It all starts on February 24 in Saudi Arabia when champions from the promotions collide for bragging rights.

But the Bellator banner will return in 2024 under the ownership of the PFL with eight standalone events to come this year.

And the first will be on March 22 in Belfast, where Corey Anderson faces hometown hero Karl Moore for the vacant light-heavyweight title.

And Leah McCourt looks to avenge her 2022 defeat to Sinead Kavanagh in a huge rematch, all on DAZN in the UK.

PFL CEO Peter Murray said: “After the landmark acquisition of Bellator, the Professional Fighters League is excited to officially announce a new era of MMA with the launch of the ‘Bellator Champions Series’ global franchise.

“The Bellator Champions Series” will feature reigning Bellator Champion fighters defending their titles against the best fighters in the world from the start studded Bellator roster.”

The PFL’s regular season sees stars in each division compete in qualifying and knockout stages.

Points are earned per method of victory in the two qualfying rounds with the top four in each division then progressing to the play-offs.

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From there, the semis and finale fights follow where $1million and a title belt is up for grabs.

But this year, the PFL will also launch a “super-fight” series set to host YouTuber-turned boxer Jake Paul’s MMA debut and Francis Ngannou’s cage return.

As well as the series, the regular season and Bellator events will also take up the 2024 PFL calendar.