Helios invests in African MMA league
Helios invests in African MMA league
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the launch of PFL Africa.
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The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced the launch of PFL Africa, which joins PFL Europe and PFL MENA as part of PFL’s network of regional leagues that aims to become the Champions League of mixed martial arts (MMA).
PFL Africa will introduce a regular season, playoffs and championship sport-season format featuring top African fighters with all events hosted on the continent.
Helios Sports & Entertainment Group (HSEG) has made an investment and will hold a stake in the promotion, of which MMA superstar Francis Ngannou will serve as chairman. The newest PFL regional league will launch in the second quarter of 2025 across linear, digital and mobile platforms.
“African talent has had disproportionate success on the global MMA stage and MMA currently has a scarcity of events despite significant demand, creating a huge opportunity for growth as young Africans consume more digital content on their devices,” commented Tope Lawani, co-founder and managing partner of Helios Investment Partners.
“We are looking forward to partnering with the PFL, a world class organisation, and with Francis Ngannou, who is a manifestation of the success of African talent on a global stage. HSEG is a committed partner of choice for global blue-chip sports and entertainment properties in Africa such as the PFL. This marks our fourth investment following our successful partnership with the NBA in the NBA Africa, our investment in global entertainment company The Malachite Group with a portfolio that includes Afro Nation and Piano People and our investment in Zaria Group, a multi-purpose venue management business. We see several areas of direct synergies between PFL Africa and HSEG’s existing unique portfolio and we are excited by the opportunities such collaboration can bring to the continent,” he added.
“The Professional Fighters League is excited to announce PFL Africa, the third international fight franchise as we continue on our path to becoming the Champions League of MMA,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Africa is home to some of the greatest fighters in the world, including our league chairman Francis Ngannou, and some of the greatest fans in the sport. PFL Africa aims to serve the great fans with premium content while strengthening the PFL global footprint in what has for too long been an underserved market. Alongside our great investment and broadcast partners we cannot wait to kick off PFL Africa league action in 2025.”
“I am excited and honoured to serve as chairman of PFL Africa, a league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA,” said Francis Ngannou, chairman PFL Africa. “As we have seen there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”
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