Donn Davis is the latest senior PFL executive to part ways with the company. The former president and founder of the MMA promotion announced his shocking departure on Wednesday, just days after longtime PFL president Ray Sefo and PFL CEO Peter Murray also left the organization.
Davis’ full statement is below:
“From the moment I founded Professional Fighters Alliance eight years ago, it has been my life. My vision was to create an innovative and quality mixed martial arts company that would provide a valuable option to those who wanted or needed it. We started with nothing – except for widespread skepticism. Against all odds, we succeeded.
“Right now PFL is undoubtedly the second largest MMA company in the world and the only other quality product.
“Today, I am resigning as chairman of PFL. I care deeply about every employee, I value every investor, I respect our fighters deeply, and I am deeply grateful to all the fans who support this company – I gave you everything I have.”
“The PFL’s global footprint, valuable assets and market position are unprecedented in MMA outside of the UFC. I believe this foundation will lead to tremendous success in the future.
“The PFL is changing the great sport of MMA for the better—meaningful innovation, unique global expansion, fighter empowerment—and the company is just getting started. I love fighting to build the PFL. What are you fighting for?”
The exits of Davies, Seifer and Murray come at the start of a crucial crossroads year for the PFL as the competition’s much-hyped broadcast deal with ESPN is expected to expire at the end of 2026.
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Former Time Warner executive John Martin recently joined PFL as its new CEO in late 2025 as the company makes a series of sweeping changes to its competitive format and branding.
In what could be a related move, the PFL also announced on Wednesday the latest round of successful funding that will “strengthen the organization’s financial position and ownership structure” in 2026.
According to the press release:
“The newly raised funds will be used to repay existing debt and fund continued growth and operations, providing PFL with enhanced balance sheet strength and greater operating flexibility. As part of the transaction, Knighthead Capital Management, LLC (“Knighthead”) and certain affiliates of 885 Capital expanded their ownership stakes, strengthening their long-term support of PFL’s global strategy, premium live events model and international expansion.”
In the same press release, the promotion announced the “formation of a new board of nine members who will oversee the strategic direction of the organization as it enters its next phase of growth and product evolution.”
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The PFL schedule is expected to take place on February 7 in Dubai, with lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov defending his title against 2025 lightweight champion Alfie Davis.