Donn Davis, founder and chair of the Professional Fighters League (PFL), has departed from his long-standing role with the mixed martial arts promotion.
In a statement posted on social media, Davis revealed that he was ending his tenure as chair of the board of the promotion that he founded in 2017 and launched in 2018.
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This comes just a week after long-serving executive Peter Murray, who transitioned away from the chief executive role in 2025 to lead the organization's international business, stepped away entirely.
The departure of Davis, who has long been the business face of the promotion, represents the latest major shift at PFL ahead of an important year for the company.
Davis’ announcement coincided with the promotion revealing the completion of a capital raise, with existing investors Knighthead Capital and 885 Capital taking control of the organization.
Both investment funds grew their ownership stakes in the capital raise, which PFL said has utilized to pay off existing debt, and “fund ongoing growth and operations”.
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By GlobalDataIt is likely that, in growing their own stakes, Knighthead and 885 diluted Davis’ holdings in the company, leading to his exit as chair.
PFL chief executive John Martin, who replaced Murray in mid-2025, commented: “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.”
Michael Schmidt, chief investment officer at 885 Capital, added: “John Martin and the PFL have a clear vision of how modern combat sports should be structured, marketed, and scaled. We believe the league’s athlete-first model, international footprint, and leadership position it well for long-term value creation, and we are pleased to deepen our commitment as the business enters this important chapter.”
Both 885 and Knighthead cited Martin as a key driver behind their latest investments in PFL, giving backing to the new chief executive at a major time of change.
Over the past year, PFL has drastically altered its product, first going away from its initial league format and then shifting focus towards higher-profile matchmaking and an official rankings system.
885 Capital’s portfolio includes stakes in the Baller League digital-focused soccer competition and multi-club soccer ownership group, Blue Crow Sports Group, which itself is invested in French top-tier Ligue 1 team Le Havre and Spanish second-tier side Leganes.
Knighthead, meanwhile, is most prominently the owner of English second-tier soccer side Birmingham City and a minority stakeholder in the Birmingham Phoenix cricket team of England’s The Hundred competition, while its controlling owner, Tom Wagner, is also invested in the Las Vegas Raiders NFL franchise.
PFL’s domestic media rights partnership with Disney-owned sports network ESPN is due to expire at the end of 2026, in what could be a major turning point for the organization.
This year, PFL will host 24 global live events with an increased focus on the US market, the success of which will likely define the promotion’s ability to secure another rights contract in the country for 2027 and beyond.
