A former World Series of Fighting consultant believes Jake Paul and MVP’s merger with the PFL won’t boost Mixed Martial Arts.
Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions made headlines earlier this summer when it was announced that MVP will merge under one banner with the Professional Fighters League. The move comes as the PFL continues to go through a transition under John Martin’s leadership, with the merger set to go into effect in 2027.
Paul is also considering making the move to Mixed Martial Arts in 2027 for a potential matchup with former UFC superstar Nate Diaz. The two sides clashed in the boxing ring in 2023, with Paul earning a unanimous decision win.
The PFL-MVP merger opens the door for top talents, such as Usman Nurmagomedov and Johnny Eblen, to make MVP MMA their long-term homes. Nurmagomedov became a free agent following a win over Archie Colgan earlier this summer.
But one former Mixed Martial Artist and World Series of Fighting consultant isn’t buying the hype behind Paul and MVP’s new partnership with the PFL.
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In a recent episode of BetOnline‘s The Fight Guys podcast, former Strikeforce fighter Erik Apple questioned the impact of Paul and MVP’s merger with the PFL.
“Nobody cares. And I’m nostalgic about the PFL. I was there on Day 1 of the World Series of Fighting with Ali Abdelaziz, Ray Sefo. I consulted for them literally on Day 1 and helped put that company together,” Apple said of Paul and MVP/PFL.
“I’d like to see them do well. But as far as I’m aware, they’ve never made money, and they’ve had round after round of investment. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted. The marketing is lackluster, if existent at all, and nobody cares. I can’t tell you the last time I watched a PFL [card]; I don’t think I’m missing anything.
“Do they have all kinds of good, international fighters? They do. But they just can’t make it interesting, even for me, someone whose life has revolved around fighting; I just don’t care,” Apple continued on Paul, MVP, and the PFL. “MVP has put on great boxing events, and I have massive respect for Jake Paul. I think he’s brilliant, and how they’ve brought his boxing career along…it’s just the PFL has been so lackluster that it’s hard for me to be convinced that it’s going to be great.”
Paul parted ways with the PFL, without ever fighting in the promotion, in January following the expiration of his contract. He reunites with the league he previously co-chaired alongside former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
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