“Concepts are overrated, execution is underrated.” So says Donn Davis, founder, chairman and co-owner of the Professional Fighters League. Beforehand, Davis co-founded and co-led funding agency Revolution for 10 years with companions Steve Case and Ted Leonsis. However when he learn the information of the mega sale of MMA big UFC, Davis left his profitable place and began constructing his sports activities league imaginative and prescient from scratch. Eight years later, the blood, sweat, and tears paid off: PFL is now valued at $1 billion. Here is how Davis went in regards to the launch and progress of his model and enterprise, which, satirically, didn’t contain going toe-to-toe with the competitors.
Give us the elevator pitch for PFL.
Skilled Fighters League (PFL) is March Insanity meets MMA. Within the PFL, all fighters begin the season, and it’s a “win and advance” single-elimination format to find out the annual champion. This implies PFL is a fighter-driven meritocracy versus the UFC, which is promoter-driven. In just some years since its founding, PFL has change into the no.2 MMA firm worldwide by all measures — high quality of fighters, international distribution, worldwide viewers, fan social engagement, and firm income.
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What impressed you to create PFL?
I began PFL the day UFC was bought to Endeavor. I learn of their press supplies that MMA had the third largest international fanbase in sports activities however was most underserved with simply 50 premium struggle occasions from UFC. Evaluate that to the soccer market with 5,000 matches from 8 leagues that divide the $35b annual income. The 650 million MMA followers needed extra premium struggle occasions, and there can be multiple successful MMA firm. PFL isn’t competing with UFC — PFL is capturing the big markets ignored or underserved by UFC.
How does operating a league like this differ from different sports activities?
There are dozens and dozens of high MMA fighters not within the UFC. MMA isn’t like soccer, the place there are usually not sufficient good quarterbacks, or baseball, the place there are usually not sufficient high quality beginning pitchers. PFL has recruited and developed a fighter roster that’s nearly equal to UFC, which has been verified by impartial rating companies. It is a loopy statistic that the majority will not imagine as a result of the UFC model is so robust, and the PFL model is new. When followers watch UFC on Saturday on ESPN or PFL on Friday on ESPN, they’re watching equally high quality fights and fighters. Francis Ngannou is the primary heavyweight on this planet — he’s at PFL. Cris Cyborg is the primary girl of all time — she is at PFL. Dakota Ditcheva is the primary rising star on this planet — she is at PFL.
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What does the phrase “entrepreneur” imply to you?
By no means hand over! Constructing a $250K native sub store and $250M SaaS AI firm share the identical entrepreneurial bond — relentless, resilient, artistic, unwavering, and undivided dedication. Whole respect for all entrepreneurs.
What’s your greatest recommendation for upcoming entrepreneurs?
Give, not get. Ask what the opposite aspect desires and put collectively a deal, resolution, or partnership that meets their wants. Like Jerry McGuire stated, “Assist me, aid you.” Rising up in Cincinnati, I imagine within the Midwest “win-win” philosophy. My success has come from being an awesome accomplice to others.
