John Martin has stepped down as CEO of the combined MVP-PFL company, effective immediately. Martin announced the decision Tuesday on his personal Instagram account.
https://x.com/arielhelwani/status/2102401473963540848Martin credited what he called an incredible year and the successful combination of PFL and MVP, then named MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian as the person he believes should lead the organization through its next phase.
“I’m grateful to the entire team and Board for their partnership,” Martin wrote, “and I’ll be cheering for MVP as both a former executive and a fan.”
Martin’s statement did not name a formal replacement or describe an interim leadership structure. It also did not give a specific reason for his departure.
Martin’s exit comes less than two months after MVP and PFL completed their merger on July 30. That deal put boxing and MMA operations under the MVP banner, with Martin named CEO and a board member of the combined business.
Jake Paul and Bidarian, who co-founded MVP, joined the board under that original arrangement, with Bidarian continuing to oversee MVP’s boxing operation and its live events. Martin was given overall leadership of the combined company, spanning promotion, athlete development, event production and global distribution.
Martin’s departure marks the second major leadership shakeup at PFL in under a year. Donn Davis, the promotion’s founder, stepped down as chairman in January during an executive exodus that also saw former CEO Peter Murray and president Ray Sefo depart.
No change to a fight card, broadcast arrangement or athlete contract was announced alongside Martin’s statement.
