EXCLUSIVE: Peter Murray, CEO of PFL, talks collaboration with DAZN, success in Europe and Francis Ngannou’s fight with Tyson Fury

In just under two months, PFL Europe will travel to Paris for the semi-finals of the league play-offs and there will be plenty to talk about for the day.

Many of the organization’s best fighters will head to the SmartCage with one goal in mind: to secure their place in the playoff finals.

From flyweights to light heavyweights, both men and women, some of the PFL’s top talent will be on display at the Zenith Paris, looking to build on impressive performances from earlier this year.

PFL Europe started in Newcastle, then traveled to Berlin and now Paris, ahead of the final in Dublin in December.

With all that in mind, it’s impressive to remember that PFL Europe was only formed last October, after PFL entered into a partnership with broadcasters DAZN.

In the next phase, the PFL Europe playoffs will take place in Paris, France, later this year

In recent months, more and more European top fighters have signed with the organization

Together, the two have helped provide a platform for Europe’s top mixed martial arts stars and have hosted a number of entertaining events across the continent, much to the delight of PFL CEO Peter Murray.

Murray told Mail Sport exclusively: “We are delighted to be partnering with DAZN. It is home to PFL and MMA across Europe and other international markets. DAZN is an important partner for our global product that we distribute internationally.

‘And of course DAZN is a strategic partner with regard to PFL Europe. They have an ownership position and we are proud that PFL and DAZN are marketing premium MMA across Europe on their leading sports platform.

“To let fans experience that in markets like Newcastle where we launched our first season it was an incredible success and last week in Berlin brought our second PFL Europe event, PFL and DAZN at the highest level to Berlin fans and it was another sold out show.

“There is a real demand for MMA across Europe and for PFL in particular and for our format. Because European fans really get access to the best fighters across Europe on their journey to compete in a regular season playoff and championship format.

‘I was very pleased with the production and the role DAZN played in the distribution and production of the event. The fights were incredible and we are now in the playoffs.’

The Paris semi-finals promise to be an exciting night for any martial arts fan, with some of the organization’s top talent entering the cage that night.

The PFL have done shows in Newcastle and Berlin with plans to visit Paris and Dublin this year

The PFL offers a unique “true sports season format with a regular season, playoff, and championship” within mixed martial arts

French welterweight Cedric Doumbe will make his highly anticipated debut, while impressive flyweight star Dakota Ditcheva will also be in action.

Manchester’s Ditcheva, who boasts a professional record of 8-0, has been the talk of the PFL since winning 3-0 in her time with the company and her match-up with Cornelia Holm will be another chance to showcase her talents to show.

“We are developing future champions,” Murray continued. “These are some of the greatest fighters in all of Europe and now they have the chance to get the support of a major professional organisation.

“As we roll out additional international PFL leagues – we will have six regional leagues over the next three years – we are executing our international expansion plan and global vision.

“We are building the Champions League of MMA. It starts well. And with regard to the athletes, like Dakota and Simeon Powell, these are great athletes.

“To be honest, we were looking for something as a challenger brand. And first and foremost, we offer athletes in different parts of the world, at different stages of their careers, the opportunity to compete and be supported as professionals.”

Their appeal to fighters around the world has become apparent after a plethora of exciting acquisitions over the last 12 months.

From rising British star Shanelle Dyer – who spoke exclusively to Mail Sport last month – to veteran Francis Ngannou, all the stars are streaming there.

Former UFC champion Ngannou signed an “exclusive global strategic MMA partnership” with the organization in May, which will see him take on a role outside the cage for the PFL, as well as his ventures within.

Tyson Fury faces ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in Saudi Arabia on October 28

Ahead of his PFL debut or his work with PFL Africa, Ngannou will take on boxing heavyweight star Tyson Fury in a crossover superfight this October.

“By signing Francis earlier this year, we have been very supportive of Francis’ career as an elite fighter in both MMA and boxing,” said Murray.

“We provide that level of flexibility so that Francis can take up the sport of boxing – which has always been a dream of his. We think he will be an exceptional two-sport athlete.

“We are excited about the Tyson Fury fight and we are even more excited that Francis will be returning to the MMA cage early next year on his debut with the PFL.

“And that will be the first fight in the PFL’s super fight division event and there will be more details about the opponent and venue.”