Donn Davis stepping down as PFL chairman

PFL founder and chairman Donn Davis announced Wednesday he's stepping down from his role.

Davis is leaving the company entirely, reports Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani.

"From the moment I founded Professional Fighters League eight years ago, it has been my life," Davis said in a statement. "My vision was to create an innovative and premium MMA company as the valuable alternative for those that want it or need it. ...

"Today, I'm stepping down as chairman of PFL. I care deeply about each employee, value highly every investor, respect greatly our fighters, and appreciate sincerely all our fans who supported this company - I gave you everything I've got."

Davis' departure comes less than two weeks after Peter Murray, the former PFL CEO and most recently head of PFL International, parted ways with the organization. The PFL hired John Martin as its new CEO last July in a major shakeup.

Davis founded the PFL in 2017 and helped launch the promotion in 2018, serving as chairman for more than eight years.

Now the second-biggest MMA promotion in North America after the UFC, the PFL is scheduled to begin its 2026 campaign with a Feb. 7 event in Dubai. Lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov headlines the card against Alfie Davis.