Professional Grappling Federation adds Philadelphia Phenoms
Las Vegas, NV — The Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) has announced another landmark seven-figure franchise sale with the launch of the Philadelphia Phenoms. This latest expansion further accelerates PGF’s rise as the Major League of Jiu Jitsu, while also making history with Lauren Barone stepping in as the league’s first female team owner.
Barone isn’t just an investor — she is an active participant in the sport, regularly training and competing in Jiu-Jitsu. More importantly, she has been deeply involved in the community,
bringing the perspective of a dedicated practitioner and passionate supporter. Her ownership reflects both a personal commitment to the art and a vision for helping professional grappling
reach new heights.
“Beyond grateful that this is the path my life has led me down — building a PGF team and becoming part of a league that’s reshaping the future of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu,” said Barone. “It’s beyond humbling to be surrounded by the legends, pioneers, and those who make the magic happen behind the scenes. With the Philly Phenoms, my goal is to build a team with heart, grit, and ferocity — supported by experienced minds and leaders who know what it takes to compete at the highest level — one that becomes a serious contender next season. We’re bringing that Philly spirit to the PGF, and we’re here to make the entire Jiu Jitsu community proud. Get ready for the Philly Phenoms to invade the PGF!”
The Phenoms will make their debut in Season 9, joining fellow PGF franchises the New Hope Kings and the Alabama Twisters in league play. Their arrival marks another bold step forward
in PGF’s mission to combine grassroots authenticity with big-league infrastructure, transforming Jiu-Jitsu into a fully realized professional sport.
A League Redefining Professional Grappling
The sale of the Philadelphia Phenoms represents the next major milestone in PGF’s franchise model. Each deal signals increasing confidence from investors, gym owners, and entrepreneurs
who see professional grappling as a high-growth global market.
“This is what it must have felt like to get in on the ground floor of the NFL or the NHL,” said Zoltan Bathory, co-owner of the Professional Grappling Federation.
“The difference is, this time the format was engineered for scale from day one. Once we opened the doors to team ownership, the floodgates opened — the New Hope Kings were first, then the Philadelphia Phenoms, followed by the Alabama Twisters, with more already in negotiations. At this pace, we anticipate expanding to 8–12 teams in the coming months, which puts us firmly on track toward the 16-team national league we originally envisioned.”
Meanwhile, PGF’s Season 8 has already shattered expectations, delivering record-breaking engagement and reach across digital platforms. With free weekly broadcasts on YouTube and
expanded distribution through streaming and television partnerships, the league has pushed Jiu-Jitsu further into the mainstream sports conversation than ever before.
“Jiu-Jitsu is the fastest growing combat sport in the world, and it’s becoming the sport of royalty,” said Brandon McCaghren, Commissioner of the Professional Grappling Federation. “From everyday people to A-list celebrities like Mark Zuckerberg, Tom Hardy, Keanu Reeves, and Guy Ritchie, everyone is on the mats now. PGF is here to harness that momentum and lead Jiu-Jitsu into its professional era.”
