“Concepts are overrated, execution is underrated.” So says Donn Davis, founder, chairman and co-owner of the Skilled Fighters League. Beforehand, Davis co-founded and co-led funding agency Revolution for 10 years with companions Steve Case and Ted Leonsis. However when he learn the information of the mega sale of MMA big UFC, Davis left his profitable place and began constructing his sports activities league imaginative and prescient from scratch. Eight years later, the blood, sweat, and tears paid off: PFL is now valued at $1 billion. This is how Davis went in regards to the launch and development of his model and enterprise, which, mockingly, didn’t contain going toe-to-toe with the competitors.
Give us the elevator pitch for PFL.
Skilled Fighters League (PFL) is March Insanity meets MMA. Within the PFL, all fighters begin the season, and it’s a “win and advance” single-elimination format to find out the annual champion. This implies PFL is a fighter-driven meritocracy versus the UFC, which is promoter-driven. In only a few years since its founding, PFL has develop into the no.2 MMA firm worldwide by all measures — high quality of fighters, international distribution, worldwide viewers, fan social engagement, and firm income.
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What impressed you to create PFL?
I began PFL the day UFC was bought to Endeavor. I learn of their press supplies that MMA had the third largest international fanbase in sports activities however was most underserved with simply 50 premium battle occasions from UFC. Examine that to the soccer market with 5,000 matches from 8 leagues that divide the $35b annual income. The 650 million MMA followers needed extra premium battle occasions, and there could be multiple successful MMA firm. PFL just isn’t competing with UFC — PFL is capturing the big markets ignored or underserved by UFC.
How does operating a league like this differ from different sports activities?
There are dozens and dozens of high MMA fighters not within the UFC. MMA just isn’t like soccer, the place there usually are not sufficient good quarterbacks, or baseball, the place there usually are not sufficient high quality beginning pitchers. PFL has recruited and developed a fighter roster that’s nearly equal to UFC, which has been verified by impartial rating companies. It is a loopy statistic that almost all will not consider as a result of the UFC model is so sturdy, and the PFL model is new. When followers watch UFC on Saturday on ESPN or PFL on Friday on ESPN, they’re watching equally high quality fights and fighters. Francis Ngannou is the primary heavyweight on this planet — he’s at PFL. Cris Cyborg is the primary lady of all time — she is at PFL. Dakota Ditcheva is the primary rising star on this planet — she is at PFL.
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What does the phrase “entrepreneur” imply to you?
By no means quit! Constructing a $250K native sub store and $250M SaaS AI firm share the identical entrepreneurial bond — relentless, resilient, inventive, unwavering, and undivided dedication. Complete respect for all entrepreneurs.
What’s your greatest recommendation for upcoming entrepreneurs?
Give, not get. Ask what the opposite facet desires and put collectively a deal, resolution, or partnership that meets their wants. Like Jerry McGuire mentioned, “Assist me, enable you to.” Rising up in Cincinnati, I consider within the Midwest “win-win” philosophy. My success has come from being an amazing associate to others.
