PFL boss John Martin has only been in his new job for a matter of weeks, yet he talks about the company as if it’s been his life’s work.
A seasoned and successful media executive, Martin was chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting between 2014 and 2018, a period in which he oversaw 130 channels across nearly 200 countries, leading the company to $13 billion in annual revenue and nearly $5 billion in operating income. It's fair to say he knows how to tap into what consumers want.
Sitting down with The National in Dubai ahead of Friday's PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai – The Rematch – the PFL's second major event in the emirate this year – Martin enthuses that MMA is entering a new era, and that the PFL can define it.
He is kicking off his reign with a bang. On Friday, Usman Nurmagomedov defends his lightweight title against Paul Hughes, the headline act in one of the most highly anticipated bouts of the year. Their first bout, also at the Coca-Cola Arena back in January, was a barnburner. Although Nurmagomedov took a majority decision, Hughes had a strong case for the upset.
Victory extended the Dagestani fighter's undefeated streak to 19 wins (one no contest). Irishman Hughes bounced back from that loss with a spectacular 42-second KO of Bruno Miranda in May, thus laying the groundwork for a blockbuster rematch.
For Martin, it encapsulates everything compelling about MMA: a clash of styles, traditions and narratives that transcend the cage.
“The first fight was incredibly exciting and Paul Hughes really shined,” Martin says. “He was a Cage Warriors champion, he beat AJ McKee in America, and people took notice. His fight with Usman last January went the distance and was close. Then he came back and had a 42-second stoppage in the UK.
“And for Usman, he wants to end the conversation altogether. So you have Irish versus Dagestanis, which I think is an interesting dynamic. There’s such great tradition behind both of these guys. For the PFL, it underscores that we, organisationally, have great fighters on our roster. One of the things that I want to do, as the new CEO, is make sure we showcase as many of these great fighters as we can as we host events around the world.”
A big part of Martin's vision is to position the PFL as a leading brand and a chance to take MMA beyond the cage.
“I would love for the PFL over time to evolve from just being a live events global MMA sports company into being a broader-based media company,” he says. “And thinking about that with that level of ambition, I think the UAE is a very important part of the world.”
For Martin, storytelling must be at the core of the sport’s growth. “Looking at fighter stories, tapping into who they are from a personality standpoint, their backstories, and then distributing them around the world – that’s where my background comes in.
“The way you engage fans now is different. They’ll stay with you longer, they’ll spend more time with you, they become your best brand ambassadors. That engagement is critical.”
Beneath the corporate polish, Martin speaks with the passion of a lifelong fan. Now in his 50s, he traces his connection to the sport back 30 years.
“I became a mixed martial artist when I was 25. I did it for 15 years. I fought in amateur tournaments. I've been watching the UFC since UFC 1,” he says.
When asked if this feels like his dream job, Martin doesn’t hesitate. “It is,” he replies. “In many respects, it is.”
In just seven years, the PFL has already built strong foundations. The organisation boasts a world-class fighter roster, has 26 media partners broadcasting in 170 countries, and is always on the lookout to expand its global reach. The next step, Martin says, is about scaling up, raising the fan base and monetising in new and innovative ways.
It is here where the UAE can play a big part. In July, The Professional Fighters League strengthened its ties with Dubai after announcing Sheikh Mohammed bin Maktoum had joined the promotion's global ownership group. The country has become a priority market, part of a broader PFL strategy built on a distinctly global focus, one Martin sees as setting his organisation apart.
“Mixed Martial Arts has no borders. It’s instantly identifiable around the world. It’s the third-largest fan base in the world,” he says. “The commitment the PFL has towards developing fighters in various parts of the world is different. We’ve got a league set up in the Middle East and North Africa … I’m honoured to lead a company that can put on big-time events like this anywhere around the world.”
The PFL is also about legacy. Martin says he wants his organisation to build a lasting presence in the region with at least one big event in Dubai a year.
“This is an important part of the world for many reasons. There’s already an engaged audience, but there’s also so much commerce happening, so much global interest and new levels of investment. MMA is being validated as a mainstream sport, even in the US. For this part of the world, having us here is important as we think about growing opportunities.”
As in all sport, particularly at the top level, competition is fierce. The UFC, the world's lead MMA promotion, casts a shadow over all rivals. Martin concedes as much, even admitting he tried to acquire a stake in the UFC during his time at Time Warner. Though the UFC are “clear leaders” in the MMA world, Martin believes there is room for the PFL to flourish.
“I don’t believe UFC is going to be a winner-take-all. I don’t believe it’s a global monopoly. So if it’s not a monopoly, PFL occupies a very strong number two position. And as UFC and PFL continue to grow the category, our ability to draft up – and maybe even close the distance a little bit – provides a huge landscape to grow value for stakeholders and fans.”
The PFL also has one of the most bankable stars in the sport. Francis Ngannou remains the PFL’s marquee figure in what is generally considered the marquee division of all combat sports: heavyweight.
The Cameroonian joined the PFL in May 2023 on a multi-fight deal after failing to agree fresh terms with the UFC. He has only fought once under the PFL banner, pummeling Renan Ferreira to score a first-round KO to claim the heavyweight championship in October 2024 in Riyadh.
Under his agreement with the PFL, Ngannou has also been allowed to pursue a boxing career. His fighting future remains unclear, but no matter what his future holds – in the cage or the ring – Martin is keen to work with him.
“Francis is here in Dubai,” Martin says. “He’s done a fantastic job working with us to launch PFL Africa – we were the first premium MMA company to host an event on the continent – and he’s been a huge ambassador for that. His fight career is still ongoing, and we want to talk about what’s next.”
Martin is careful not to be drawn on specifics. “It might be Africa, it might be somewhere else, but we want to put him in an extremely attractive, high-profile location. He’s a global name.”
For now, all eyes are on Dubai for a night that carries more weight than a title alone. For Martin, it is about proving the PFL’s ambition, showing this is an organisation capable of hosting the sport’s biggest nights anywhere in the world.
“We’ve held events in 11 countries across four continents,” he says, reeling off the numbers like a badge of honour. “Saudi, Dubai, Africa, France – places people didn’t think we could go. We’re just getting started.”
INFO
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE%20Warriors%2045%20Results
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Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
HOW TO WATCH
Facebook: TheNationalNews
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
On sale: now
The%20Letter%20Writer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Layla%20Kaylif%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eslam%20Al%20Kawarit%2C%20Rosy%20McEwen%2C%20Muhammad%20Amir%20Nawaz%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
Results
Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent
Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent
Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent
Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent
The specs: 2017 Porsche 718 Cayman
Price, base / as tested Dh222,500 / Dh296,870
Engine 2.0L, flat four-cylinder
Transmission Seven-speed PDK
Power 300hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque 380hp @ 1,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined 6.9L / 100km
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EKinetic%207%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rick%20Parish%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Abu%20Dhabi%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Clean%20cooking%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%2410%20million%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The%20specs%3A%202024%20Mercedes%20E200
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%20four-cyl%20turbo%20%2B%20mild%20hybrid%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E204hp%20at%205%2C800rpm%20%2B23hp%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E320Nm%20at%201%2C800rpm%20%2B205Nm%20hybrid%20boost%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E9-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7.3L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENovember%2FDecember%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh205%2C000%20(estimate)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Race card for Super Saturday
4pm: Al Bastakiya Listed US$250,000 (Dh918,125) (Dirt) 1,900m.
4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m.
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Conditions $200,000 (Turf) 1,200m.
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,600m.
6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $300,000 (T) 1,800m.
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 $400,000 (D) 2,000m.
7.30pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 $250,000 (T) 2,410m.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20OneOrder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%202022%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Tamer%20Amer%20and%20Karim%20Maurice%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Cairo%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E82%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Series%20A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETelr%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202014%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E65%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFinTech%20and%20payments%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enearly%20%2430%20million%20so%20far%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WHAT IS A BLACK HOLE?
1. Black holes are objects whose gravity is so strong not even light can escape their pull
2. They can be created when massive stars collapse under their own weight
3. Large black holes can also be formed when smaller ones collide and merge
4. The biggest black holes lurk at the centre of many galaxies, including our own
5. Astronomers believe that when the universe was very young, black holes affected how galaxies formed
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
Racecard
6pm: Mina Hamriya – Handicap (TB) $75,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
6.35pm: Al Wasl Stakes – Conditions (TB) $60,000 (Turf) 1,200m
7.10pm: UAE Oaks – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,900m
7.45pm: Blue Point Sprint – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,000m
8.20pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy – Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (T) 2,810m
8.55pm: Mina Rashid – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (T) 1,600m
