The Professional Fighters League (PFL) and RMC Sport have announced a multi-year partnership to broadcast all PFL live events and original programming. This collaboration, revealed on February 6, 2026, extends across France, Monaco, Andorra, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, as reported by pflmma.com.
This renewed agreement aims to significantly expand the PFL brand and the sport of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) throughout France. The partnership seeks to engage the region's rapidly growing fanbase with elite PFL athletes, according to the official announcement.
RMC Sport, a prominent French sports broadcaster, will distribute PFL content across its linear, digital, and social platforms. The network also plans to invest in comprehensive marketing campaigns and create original programming to maximize PFL's presence, as stated by SVG Europe.
The first live broadcast under this new deal is scheduled for Saturday, February 7, featuring the PFL Road to Dubai event. This card will showcase PFL Lightweight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov and include three elite French athletes: Taylor Lapilus, Abdoul Abdouraguimov, and Amin Ayoub, pflmma.com confirmed.
MMA has experienced spectacular growth in France since its authorization in 2020, following a quarter-century ban. The French Mixed Martial Arts Federation (FMMAF) doubled its membership in the 2023/2024 season, reaching 8,922 licensees, a 334% increase from 2021/2022, Francs Jeux reported.
This partnership underscores PFL's ongoing global expansion strategy, which includes the successful launch of PFL Europe in 2023. The league's unique season format, culminating in a championship, continues to attract fighters and fans worldwide, according to sportspro.
RMC Sport is recognized as a leading channel for combat sports in France, already broadcasting major organizations like UFC, Oktagon MMA, and Hexagone MMA, as noted by RMC Sport's own combat sports page. This established presence provides a strong foundation for the PFL's increased visibility.
- The multi-year partnership between PFL and RMC Sport is a continuation of previous collaborations, including a 2023 partnership and an exclusive agreement for the 2022 season, demonstrating a sustained commitment to the French market.
- Mixed Martial Arts has seen explosive growth in France since its legalization in 2020, with the French Mixed Martial Arts Federation (FMMAF) reporting a 334% increase in licensees between 2021/2022 and 2023/2024, highlighting a fertile ground for PFL's expansion.
- RMC Sport, a subsidiary of Altice France, boasts a comprehensive multi-platform distribution strategy across linear TV, digital, and social media, ensuring broad accessibility for PFL content to French-speaking audiences.
- PFL's global expansion efforts, including the establishment of PFL Europe in 2023 and plans for PFL MENA and PFL Africa, position this RMC Sport deal as a strategic move to solidify its presence in a key European region.
- The inclusion of prominent French athletes like Taylor Lapilus, Abdoul Abdouraguimov, and Amin Ayoub in upcoming broadcasts is expected to resonate deeply with local fans, fostering stronger engagement and national pride in the sport.
- RMC Sport's commitment extends beyond live event broadcasting to include original programming, marketing campaigns, and long-form content, aiming to build deeper narratives and maximize the PFL's brand visibility in the region.
- This partnership leverages RMC Sport's existing reputation as a premier destination for combat sports, which already features major MMA promotions, providing a familiar and trusted platform for PFL to reach a dedicated audience.
