Hip-hop is heading into the arena to collaborate with professional mixed martial arts fighting.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced that multi-platinum Grammy and Golden Globe-nominated hip-hop artist Wiz Khalifa has invested in the fighting league. The rapping entrepreneur intends to play an active role in continuing to shape the PFL brand for this generation’s sports fans.
“I’m so proud to join forces with the Professional Fighters League,” Khalifa said in a written statement. “I’ve been doing MMA training for years now, and am also the biggest MMA fan–to be able to bring my expertise and vision to the sport is super exciting and I can’t wait for the action to get started on April 23.”
In Khalifa’s new role, he will collaborate
with the Professional Fighters League on incorporating several different elements of pop culture, which will include music integration and content creation to MMA lifestyle apparel. The PFL will also incorporate Khalifa’s music throughout its regular season, playoff, and championship events and will co-produce original MMA content for fans. Khalifa joins the ownership group which includes Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, superstar comedian Kevin Hart, Riot Games co-founder Brandon Beck, and reality TV show bigwig Mark Burnett.“I’m excited to welcome Wiz Khalifa to the PFL’s ownership group and partner with such a gifted global music and cultural icon,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Wiz will play an active role in shaping and amplifying the voice of the PFL brand and how it resonates with the 550 million fans around the world.”
Fans of the Professional Fighters League can tune in when the 2021 PFL season begins on April 23. The matches can be viewed on ESPN2, ESPN3 (Spanish), and ESPN+ in primetime. The rest of the regular season competition will be taking place on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25.