The Professional Fighters League (PFL) on Monday said it has formed a partnership with gaming platform Rival.
Rival said it will launch the PFL's dedicated gaming community, thereby enabling PFL fans to participate, compete and engage in competitions with popular gaming titles.
Further, Rival said its enterprise solution will provide the PFL and its fans the ability to host competitive tournaments in their community along with future esports initiatives.
The winner of the first tournament hosted on the Rival gaming platform will receive a private match hosted by 2021 PFL Light Heavyweight Champion Antonio Carlos Jr.
The agreement with PFL marks Rival’s first partnership within the combat sports space.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
PFL offers an MMA league with a sports-season format, in which fighters from around the world compete in a regular season, playoffs and championship. The four competitors in each division who earn the most points in the regular season advance to the win-or-go-home playoffs, followed by the PFL World Championship – with each winner going home with the $1 million prize.
Officials said PFL has live event coverage in 160 countries on distribution platforms and delivers its product to the more than 600 million MMA fans globally.
“The PFL is proud to partner with Rival and embrace esports in a specialized gaming community, giving MMA fans unprecedented connectivity,” PFL CEO Peter Murray said in a statement. “In this partnership, the PFL continues to disrupt traditional MMA, embrace technology and give our fans a unique experience.”
Rival CMO Dan Parise added: “We are thrilled to welcome PFL and their passionate fanbase to the Rival platform. With the launch of their new gaming community, PFL continues the trend of creativity and innovation when it comes to engaging fans and creating opportunities for corporate partners.”
