John Martin has announced he is stepping down as CEO of PFL-MVP, the combined entity formed from the merger of PFL and Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian's Most Valuable Promotions. Martin, who took the role in July 2025, released a statement endorsing MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian as his replacement. The leadership change comes just weeks after the merger between the two promotions was announced, with an official rebranding of events expected in 2027.
John Martin is stepping down as chief executive officer of PFL-MVP, the promotional entity created through the merger of the Professional Fighters League and Most Valuable Promotions, and is backing MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian to take his place.
Martin took the CEO role in July 2025, making his tenure at the top of the combined organization roughly 14 months before his departure. In a statement accompanying the announcement, he endorsed Bidarian — who co-founded Most Valuable Promotions alongside Jake Paul — as the right person to lead the company forward.
The leadership transition comes at an early and consequential moment for PFL-MVP. The merger between PFL and Most Valuable Promotions was announced just weeks ago, and the organization has not yet completed its public-facing integration, with an official rebranding of events not expected until 2027. Handing the chief executive role to one of MVP's founding figures so soon after the deal closed signals a shift in who will shape the combined promotion's direction during that build-up period.
Why it matters
- Bidarian, as a co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions, brings direct ownership history to the role rather than arriving as an outside executive hire.
- The change lands before the 2027 rebranding, meaning Bidarian will oversee much of the planning and positioning that defines how PFL-MVP presents itself to fighters, broadcasters, and fans.
- Organizational continuity will be closely watched by fighters currently signed to either PFL or MVP, as leadership stability typically influences contract confidence and talent retention in a competitive promotional landscape.
