Donn Davis has officially stepped down as chairman of the Professional Fighters League, marking another major shift in leadership for the promotion as it charts its course toward 2026 and beyond.
Davis’ exit follows a year of sweeping changes inside the PFL, including the rollout of a new competitive format set to take effect this season. His departure reshapes the organization’s executive structure and raises fresh questions about the league’s long-term direction.
Davis played a central role in shaping the PFL’s identity, pushing a bold vision that blended MMA with a professional sports-style presentation. Under his leadership, the promotion introduced a seasonal format built around regular-season fights, playoffs, and championship bouts. Winners in each division originally earned a $1 million prize alongside the world title, although last year’s champions received $500,000 instead.
The announcement comes amid a broader leadership shakeup within the PFL. Former CEO Peter Murray and longtime president Ray Sefo both parted ways with the organization in recent months. In July, the league appointed John Martin as chief executive officer, tasking him with guiding the PFL through its next phase and implementing a revised strategic direction.
Davis confirmed his decision in a post on X, where he reflected on his journey with the promotion.
“I’ve loved fighting to build @PFLMMA. What do you fight for?” Davis wrote.
In a longer statement, Davis expressed pride in what the PFL achieved under his leadership.
“From the moment I founded Professional Fighters League eight years ago, it has been my life,” Davis said. “My vision was to create an innovative and premium MMA company as the valuable alternative for those that want it or need it. We started with nothing, except universal skepticism. Against all odds, we succeeded.”
He reiterated that sentiment while formally announcing his departure.
“Today, I’m stepping down as chairman of PFL,” Davis wrote. “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 leaves the PFL at a critical juncture. The promotion’s current broadcast agreement with ESPN expires at the end of 2026, placing added pressure on leadership to stabilize operations and secure long-term partnerships. Before Davis stepped aside, the organization hired former Time Warner executive John Martin to steer the company forward.
The PFL’s 2026 calendar begins in February, with lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov set to defend his title in Dubai. Additional events are already scheduled in Spain and Pittsburgh as the promotion continues to expand its global footprint.
“PFL changed the great sport of MMA for the better,” Davis wrote. “Meaningful innovations, unique global expansions, fighter empowerment and the company is just getting started. I’ve loved fighting to build PFL. What do you fight for?”
With Davis, Murray, and Sefo all gone, uncertainty surrounds whether more senior executives could exit ahead of the 2026 season. Still, the PFL moved quickly to signal stability by announcing a new round of financing this week.
Knighthead Capital Management, LLC, and 885 Capital expanded their ownership stakes as the promotion looks toward its next chapter.
“This capital raise marks a pivotal moment for PFL,” Martin said in a press release. “With a stronger financial foundation, engaged ownership, and experienced leadership in place, we are positioned to build a more compelling product for fighters and fans while accelerating our global ambitions.”
As the PFL turns the page, the legacy of Donn Davis looms large over a promotion now navigating one of the most consequential periods in its history.
