888poker is on the cutting edge of the online poker industry. Now, the operator has joined forces with the fastest-growing sports league in MMA, the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which is quickly becoming a force in the MMA world as the #2 player in the industry and the League is jumping into the ring with its new poker partner.
Partnerships between online gaming platforms and sports franchises and leagues are becoming increasingly common lately, with various deals recently announced across multiple sports. 888poker is looking to get into the action as well by jumping into the ring for a tag team with the PFL, the most innovative format in professional fighting.
The new partnership is specifically focused on the upcoming PFL Europe Championship starting on December 8, with branding from 888poker set to adorn the SmartCage while the event is underway. The two new partners will also join forces for branding and promotional activity in the lead-up to the Championship and throughout the event.
The feature bout in the upcoming Championship sees combat sports superstar Simeon Powell go toe-to-toe with Jakob Nedoh in the Light Heavyweight class. Other matches on the star-studded fight card include Dakota Ditcheva vs. Valentina Scatizzi in the Women’s Flyweight Championship.
888poker & PFL — A Powerhouse Tag Team
As one of the most innovative online poker platforms, 888poker always looks to improve its product on and off the felt. That includes looking to expand the reach of online poker via strategic partnerships outside the gaming industry, and the latest deal with the PFL is a great example.
As the fastest-growing company in MMA, the PFL is on the rise. The league is currently the second-biggest MMA company worldwide, and the growth is largely due to the innovative league format of the PFL.
The league is the only MMA property that uses a sports-season format that includes a regular season followed by playoffs and an annual championship matchup. That makes the PFL much more like other sports leagues outside the MMA industry, as the format means the cream rises to the top more consistently than in the single-match formats of other MMA properties.
The two companies seem well suited to the partnership, as 888poker is an industry leader in technical innovation in the online poker sphere. Similarly, the proprietary SmartCage technology that powers real-time betting and advanced viewing options puts the PFL head and shoulders above its competition.
With 888poker’s current Knockout Series, the timing of the new partnership couldn’t be better with players on the online platform jumping into the poker octagon for a series of nothing but Knockout poker.
“We are delighted to announce our exciting new partnership with the Professional Fighters League,” said Amit Berkovich, VP Head of Poker and MD ROW, 888 William Hill. “With the PFL’s position in the world of mixed martial arts, together with 888poker’s award-winning gaming platform, this sponsorship deal presents a unique opportunity to reach more diverse audiences.”
For its part, the PFL also seems all in on the new partnership. According to James Frewin, SVP International of PFL, “This partnership with a dynamic brand like 888Poker represents an exciting venture, particularly given the strong synergies between the poker community and the mixed martial arts world. The distinctive seasonal format of PFL is set to captivate poker players and enthusiasts globally, as they are accustomed to league and tournament structures that foster engaging narratives and dramatic spectacles.”
About the PFL
Founded in 2018, the PFL is the most innovative company in the fighting game. Its league format looks to upend the traditional format of fight cards in other MMA properties. The proprietary SmartCage technology helps provide fans with cutting-edge betting and viewing experiences.
The PFL is backed by major blur-chip investors like Luxor Capital and Waverley Capital and franchise owners from various other professional sports like the NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS.
The PFL has four global live fight franchises:
- PFL League Season
- PFL Challenger Series
- PFL PPV SUPER FIGHTS
- PFL International Regional Leagues
