Stan Sport’s growing focus on combat sports has been underscored today by securing the exclusive Australian broadcast rights to the Professional Fighters League on a multi-year deal.
The fast growing and innovative MMA organisation features household names in the fight game including former UFC champions Anthony Pettis and Fabricio Werdrum and the greatest female boxer of all time, Claressa Shields.
The partnership marks the PFL’s first foray into Australia and follows Stan’s Turf War announcement, with footballing legends Sonny Bill Williams and Barry Hall set to square off in a pay-per-view boxing blockbuster in Sydney on March 23.
Sonny Bill Williams takes on Barry Hall on March 23. Stan subscribers can purchase the ‘Turf War’ fight for $50. Register your interest here!
The action begins on Saturday with the inaugural PFL Challenger Series while Stan Sport will also bring MMA fans exclusive PFL content including archival footage from the 2019-2021 seasons and original content from PFL Studios.
“Our exclusive new partnership with the PFL will bring Australian MMA fans a world class competition on Stan Sport,” Stan’s acting chief executive Martin Kugeler said.
“The PFL features some of the biggest names in MMA, with some trailblazing Aussie fighters joining the league in 2022.
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“MMA is one of the fastest growing sports in Australia.
“The pedigree of the PFL’s roster combined with the league’s extraordinary production quality, will make it a key pillar in our combat sports offering.”
Unique to the PFL is the lucrative prize money and seasonal structure, with the men and women who win the PFL playoff final in their respective weight classes each awarded a massive $1.4 million along with a world championship crown.
Featherweight Aaron Blackie will make his PFL debut on March 12 as he looks to earn a 2022 regular season contract while fellow Aussie Rob Wilkinson is hunting riches in the light heavyweight division.
“The Professional Fighters League is proud to announce our multi-year broadcast partnership with Stan Sport in Australia beginning with the inaugural PFL Challenger Series this month,” PFL chief executive Peter Murray said.
“Australia is one of the fastest growing MMA markets in the world and Stan Sport is the perfect partner to deliver our innovative products and live year-round programming schedule to the fans.”
PFL is the world’s No.2 MMA company and 25 per cent of its fighters are independently ranked in the top 25 in the world – including 2021 PFL champions Kayla Harrison, Ray Cooper III and Movlid Khaybulaev.
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