Globo’s Combate network and free-to-air platform continues as exclusive PFL
Broadcaster in Brazil for all PFL and Bellator live events and on-demand
video content
Brazil’s deep roots in combat sports has produced six PFL World Champions
NEW YORK (March 5, 2024) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced a multi-year media rights renewal with Globo, Brazil’s leading media rights company, who will continue to serve as the exclusive broadcast partner in the country for all PFL and Bellator live events, as well as archival footage and original content.
PFL and Bellator live events will air live on Combate platforms (pay tv channel, website, app and social networks), in addition to being featured live on Globo’s free to air platform.
The league’s world-class roster features some of Brazil’s best combat sports fighters, including eight fighters in the upcoming 2024 PFL Regular Season.
Six Brazilians have become PFL World Champions including two-time PFL World Champion, Larissa Pacheco, Light Heavyweight Antonio Carlos Jr., Heavyweight fighters Renan Ferreira and Bruno Cappelozza, and Lightweight fighters Raush Manfio and Natan Schulte.
“The Professional Fighters League is thrilled to expand our partnership with Globo, the premium media company in Brazil, as the continued home of PFL,” said PFL CEO, Peter Murray. “Brazil’s rich history in combat sports reigns supreme in the PFL, with six fighters achieving PFL World Champion status, and we are excited to continue delivering Brazilian MMA fans with access to the best action and fighters across the sport.”
"We are very happy with this new agreement. It represents not only the maintenance of a partnership that has brought great results for Combate but also the possibility of continuing to offer our subscribers, the Brazilian audience who loves fighting, two of the best MMA events currently," says Rafael Gruenbaum, Combate Channel Product Manager.
PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next-generation viewing experience. PFL is primetime on ESPN/ESPN+ in the U.S. and is broadcast and streamed in 150 countries with 20 premium media distribution partners.
ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league worldwide. PFL has five live fight franchises, offering year-round content: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sports business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.
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ABOUT GLOBO
Brazilian content is the essence of Globo. As the largest media company in Latin America, Globo takes pride in having Brazil as its source of inspiration. Its content informs, entertains, and contributes to the evolution of Brazilian society by engaging with millions of people every day - reaching 2/3 of the Brazilian population weekly and 96% annually. This impact is made possible by Globo’s unique ecosystem of strategically distributed content across multiple platforms. As the largest producer and investor in the country's audiovisual market, Globo holds the largest studio complex in Brazil and encompasses free-to-air channels - with five proprietary channels and a network of 118 affiliates -, 20 pay-tv channels, a streaming platform, and digital products. The company has had its content dubbed into 70 languages in 160 territories and has received over 90 nominations for the International Emmy Awards.