The Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) Breaks New Ground: Jiu-Jitsu League Expands to Full Pro Season, Inks 7-Figure Deal, and Welcomes its First Franchise Team The New Hope Kings
PGF Becomes First-Ever Professional Jiu-Jitsu League to Sell a Franchise Team, as a “New Era” for the Sport Begins.
Las Vegas, NV (June 10, 2025) — The Professional Grappling Federation, the world’s fastest-paced grappling format, and a driving force in the evolution of modern Jiu-Jitsu, announced today that it has finalized a 7-figure sale of its first PGF team, now to be named the “The New Hope Kings.” The franchise has been acquired by New Hope Regeneration, a national leader in regenerative therapy and athletic recovery.
This landmark transaction marks the PGF’s formal entry into the pro sports franchise model, mirroring league systems like the NFL, NBA, and Formula 1—where teams are owned, becoming potentially appreciating assets with long-term upside.
“We are beyond excited, and it is a dream come true to participate in professional sports history by partnering with PGF, and purchasing the world's first professional Jiu-Jitsu franchise team, the New Hope Kings. PGF is what grappling should be, it's real for the athletes and it's built for the fans,” said Kevin Lucas of New Hope Regeneration.
The announcement follows a breakout year for the PGF. Season 7 alone generated over 11 million views across all social media and media rights distribution platforms, driven by the league’s unique format, cinematic storytelling, and explosive growth across digital and social media. PGF content has been distributed globally through platforms such as UFC Fight Pass, helping establish its reputation as one of the most watched and respected properties in the sport.
“I’ve spent over two decades building global brands and bands, taking them from ground zero to sold-out arenas, international recognition, and multi-platinum success,” said Zoltan Bathory, PGF co-owner, serial entrepreneur, and founder of one of the most successful rock bands of our time, Five Finger Death Punch. “I know what it takes to make an impact while building something real that has lasting relationships with fans. That’s exactly what we’re doing with the PGF. This league has all the right structural pillars of a major sport: elite athletes, team rivalries, a full-season format. But more importantly, it has the cultural momentum. For future team owners, this isn’t just a lucrative investment in the fastest-growing combat sport, but a chance to be part of building the next great league from the ground up.”
“My family helped introduce Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to the World and created the UFC which changed the course of martial arts forever. Now, with the PGF, we’re writing the next chapter,” said Heather Grace Gracie, PGF co-owner and member of the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Dynasty. “We’re building a league, a structure that gives athletes real careers and fans a true sport to follow. I’m proud to carry my family’s legacy forward by helping bring Jiu-Jitsu to its next level: The professional era.”
A New Era of Professional Jiu-Jitsu
Season 8 will debut the Kings on the league’s biggest stage yet, kicking off with the PGF Draft on June 25th, followed by weekly matches beginning July 23, and culminating in a high-stakes playoff championship event on September 10. The league’s new Full League Era format, introduced in 2025, replaces the previous 1-week tournament model with a 12-week season featuring athlete contracts, team rivalries, and long-form fan engagement.
“This is more than a milestone. It’s proof of concept,” said Brandon McCaghren, PGF Founder and Commissioner. “This sale signals that the PGF model is not only working—it’s investable, it’s scalable, and it’s got the potential to change how the world views Jiu-Jitsu. The Kings are the first. They won’t be the last.”
With additional ownership conversations underway, the PGF is accelerating toward its vision: a true professional Jiu-Jitsu league, complete with permanent teams, fantasy sports, franchise economics, and year-round content.
About the PGF
The Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) was created to revolutionize Jiu-Jitsu competition and bring real career opportunities to athletes in the fastest-growing combat sport on Earth. With an emphasis on fast-moving action, team-based formats, franchise ownership, and high-quality streaming content, the PGF has become one of the most influential brands in modern grappling. Information on PGF events, seasons, athletes, and additional content can be found at www.pgf.world or the league’s social channels.
PGF Founders and Board of Advisors
Brandon McCaghren – PGF Commissioner. A 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu black belt and Hall of Fame inductee, Brandon is one of the sport’s most respected voices, serving as an on-air analyst and commentator for UFC Fight Pass, Combat Jiu-Jitsu (CJJ), Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), and ADCC.
Keelan Lawyer – Founder of Subconscious Studios, BJJ black belt, and visionary filmmaker who redefined how Jiu-Jitsu is shot, edited, and delivered to the world. His cinematic style and real-time storytelling helped set a new standard for how grappling is streamed and experienced.
Zoltan Bathory – One of the most recognized ambassadors of Jiu-Jitsu in mainstream culture. A black belt in both BJJ and Judo, Zoltan is a serial entrepreneur with multiple global brands under his leadership—and also moonlights as the founder and guitarist of the multi-platinum, global arena-headlining band Five Finger Death Punch.
Heather Grace Gracie – A key figure from the royal family of martial arts, Heather has grown up immersed in the world of Jiu-Jitsu. She is the owner of Gracie Worldwide, a fight management agency, and a serial entrepreneur with deep connections in athlete development and combat sports business.
PGF Board of Advisors
Royce Gracie – UFC Hall of Famer and global ambassador of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Carlos Machado – 8th-degree coral belt and renowned instructor to thousands worldwide.
Jean Jacques Machado – 8th-degree coral belt and 2024 ADCC Hall of Fame inductee.
Renzo Gracie – PRIDE, UFC, and ADCC legend, founder of Renzo Gracie Academy NYC.
Pedro Sauer – 8th-degree coral belt under Rickson Gracie and revered technician.
Mica Cipili – 6th-degree black belt, competitive champion and master instructor.
Eddie Bravo – Founder of 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI).
Jonathan Anastas – Former CMO of ONE Championship, veteran global brand marketer and operating executive.
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EVERYTHING YOU LOVE ABOUT SPORTS... PLUS JIU-JITSU!
PGF’S TEAM BASED COMPETITION:
ONCE THE ATHLETES ARE DRAFTED BY THE CAPTAINS, IT'S THE PERFORMANCE OF THE TEAM AS A WHOLE THAT MATTERS THE MOST. THIS ADDS AN ELEMENT OF STRATEGY AND CAMARADERIE NOT COMMONLY FOUND IN INDIVIDUAL-FOCUSED GRAPPLING TOURNAMENTS. THIS TEAM ASPECT ALSO ADDS IMMENSE PRESSURE TO WIN, AS THE INDIVIDUAL ATHLETE’S PERFORMANCE AFFECTS THE ENTIRE TEAM’S PATH TO THE $100,000 GRAND PRIZE… SO THE STAKES ARE HIGH.
THE RULES:
UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF THEIR CAPTAINS, THE TEAM MEMBERS WILL FIGHT AGAINST ALL MEMBERS OF THE OPPOSING TEAMS OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK. THE TEAM WITH THE HIGHEST COLLECTIVE SCORE WINS. PGF BOUTS FEATURE SUBMISSION-ONLY, 6-MINUTE RAPID-PACE ROUNDS. CHOKES EARN 6 POINTS; JOINT LOCKS, 3 POINTS. DRAWS ARE PENALIZED TO KEEP THE FORMAT A “GENTLEMANLY VIOLENT” SUBMISSION HUNTING FRENZY.
THE PLAYOFFS:
AFTER THE TEAM TOURNAMENT IS OVER AND ONE TEAM EMERGES VICTORIOUS, THE EIGHT OVERALL HIGHEST-SCORING ATHLETES — REGARDLESS OF WHICH TEAMS THEY WERE ON — ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER THE PLAYOFFS. IT’S POSSIBLE THAT THE COMPETITOR WITH THE MOST WINS OR THE HIGHEST SCORE HAS ENDED UP ON A TEAM THAT DID NOT WIN. HOWEVER, THE PLAYOFFS STILL ALLOW A CHANCE TO WIN THE PGF ABSOLUTE BELT AND THE PGF ABSOLUTE GRAND PRIZE OF $20,000..
SEASON 8 TEAM CAPTAINS ARE FOUR
JIU JITSU LEGENDS
Mica Cipili
TEAM 1
Andy Varela
TEAM 2
Robert Drysdale
TEAM 3
Renato Canuto
TEAM 4
THE PROFESSIONAL GRAPPLING FEDERATION (PGF) IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE MOST FAST-PACED GRAPPLING TOURNAMENTS IN THE WORLD, LARGELY DUE TO ITS UNIQUE STRUCTURE AND RULESET. WITH A STRONG EMPHASIS ON SUBMISSIONS AND TEAM DYNAMICS, THE PGF INTRODUCES A DRAFT AUCTION SYSTEM THAT CREATES AN ULTRA-COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT THAT IS BOTH STRATEGICALLY COMPLEX AND INTENSELY PHYSICAL.
THE FIRST DAY OF EVERY PGF SEASON BEGINS WITH THE FAN-FAVORITE "DRAFT AUCTION," WHERE THE FOUR TEAM CAPTAINS ATTEMPT TO ASSEMBLE THE BEST POSSIBLE TEAM FROM THE 20 PRE-QUALIFIED ELITE LEVEL GRAPPLERS. [ QUALIFY HERE ] . EACH CAPTAIN HAS AN EQUAL AMOUNT OF “PGF DOLLARS” WHICH THEY USE IN A LIVE AUCTION TO BID FOR THE FIGHTERS THEY WANT ON THEIR TEAM. THIS PROCESS INVOLVES A LOT OF STRATEGY AND CLEVER MANEUVERING, BIDDING AND OUT BIDDING EACH OTHER, OR JUST DRIVING UP THE PRICE TO RUN THE OPPOSING CAPTAINS OUT OF PGF MONEY, LEADING TO COUNTLESS LAUGHTER-FILLED MOMENTS. THESE FACTORS COMBINED MAKE PGF A UNIQUE AND EXHILARATING EXPERIENCE FOR BOTH ATHLETES AND FANS.