The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has solidified its presence in the Japanese market, announcing a renewed broadcast rights agreement with U-Next, a leading streaming service in Japan. This extension ensures U-Next will remain the exclusive home for all PFL content in the country, including PFL Global events, PFL MENA, and PFL Africa, as the mixed martial arts promotion continues its international expansion.
The deal, unveiled today, coincides with the upcoming PFL Madrid event, scheduled to air in Japan early Saturday morning, March 21st, local time. This strategic partnership underscores the growing importance of the Asia-Pacific region to the PFL’s global strategy, aiming to deliver compelling MMA action to a dedicated fanbase.
The PFL’s commitment to the Japanese market is further evidenced by its roster of prominent Japanese fighters, including Kana Watanabe, Masayuki Kikuiri, and Takeshi Izumi. The league aims to continue attracting top Asian talent and expanding its footprint throughout the region.
“Asia is a critically important region for the global growth of MMA and for the future of the PFL,” stated John Martin, PFL’s Chief Executive, in a press release. “Over the past year, we have expanded our presence across the Asia-Pacific region as we aim to create new opportunities for fighters and fans. Looking ahead, our goal is to continue signing top Asian talent, deepen our partnerships across the region, and bring more PFL events to fans throughout the Asia Pacific.”
Tenshin Tsutsumi, U-Next’s Chief Executive, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Through our platform, we have been proud to deliver a diverse range of martial arts content from both Japan and around the world. As PFL continues to expand its global footprint with the new launch of PFL Global events, we are excited to further grow the league’s presence in Japan and bring world-class MMA competition to Japanese fans with the same passion and energy felt inside the arena.”
This renewal follows a recent broader agreement between the PFL and Sportradar, announced earlier this month. Sportradar will distribute betting data and streaming rights for PFL events, positioning the firm as central to the promotion’s global betting and gaming strategy. The partnership encompasses betting data, odds formation, live broadcasts, real-time betting wagers, and fan engagement initiatives.
The PFL’s expansion into Japan, and its continued partnership with U-Next, represent a significant step in the league’s ambition to become a leading global force in mixed martial arts. The league’s unique season format, culminating in million-dollar championship events, has proven popular with fans worldwide.
As the PFL continues to build momentum in the Asia-Pacific region, the focus will likely shift towards securing additional broadcast deals and identifying promising Japanese and Asian fighters to join the PFL roster. The league’s next event, PFL Madrid, will serve as a showcase for its growing global talent pool and a demonstration of its commitment to delivering high-quality MMA action to fans around the world.
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