The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced a significant leadership change, naming John Martin as its new chief executive officer.
Martin steps into the role previously held by Peter Murray. While the reasons for Murray`s departure were not publicly disclosed, Martin brings extensive experience from a distinguished career in broadcast media and executive leadership.
His background includes prominent positions at Time Warner and Turner Entertainment. He served as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Time Warner before transitioning to become the CEO of Turner Entertainment in 2014. In this capacity, he oversaw major networks and properties including TBS, TNT, CNN, and Turner Sports. Martin was recognized for his influence in the entertainment industry, being named to the Variety 500 list in 2017. He left Turner in 2018 following AT&T`s acquisition of Time Warner and the subsequent formation of WarnerMedia.
Martin takes the helm at PFL during a pivotal phase for the organization. The promotion is actively working to solidify its position within the competitive combat sports market, which is largely dominated by the UFC.
This leadership transition follows a period of major strategic shifts for PFL. After acquiring competitor Bellator from Paramount, PFL implemented substantial changes for 2025, including moving away from its previous season-long league format in favor of a more traditional tournament structure. The prize money for tournament winners was also adjusted from $1 million to $500,000. The Bellator brand was effectively discontinued, and the promotion saw the departure of several notable fighters.
PFL is currently nearing the conclusion of its 2025 tournament schedule and is preparing for upcoming events, including a special fight card set for Cape Town, South Africa on July 19. This event is scheduled to feature prominent matchups with fighters like former Bellator champions Johnny Eblen and Corey Anderson, alongside PFL standout Dakota Ditcheva.
