John Martin has been a breath of fresh air since stepping into PFLs CEO role in what most industry insiders are calling a make-or-break year for the organization.Martin appears to be as close to an honest broker as you can get in combat sports. Hes realistic about PFLs current situation. Hes making the right sounds when it comes to securing an all-important broadcast deal. Hes teased the possibility of working with Dana Whites newest nemesis Eddie Hearn, while giving the UFC leading man his own fair dues. Hes made tough decisions on stars like Francis Ngannou, but also recognizes the importance of marquee names like Usman Nurmagmedov for the company moving forward.All whispers from inside PFL are in agreement that Martin is a safe pair of hands in an otherwise fragile situation. Thats why it was so shocking when earlier this week, Uncrowneds Ariel Helwani reported that one of the options for Martins potential PFL rebrand was to revert back to the Bellator name, the struggling promotion PFL acquired in 2023.One of the latter-day faces of Bellator, former middleweight champion Johnny Eblen, reacted in a positive way to Helwanis insights, but prominent names in the space like Caposa the lifeblood of MMAs social media discourse recoiled at the thought of it.Supported Bellator through all their various eras. The brand ran its course. People even wanted THEM to rebrand at one point. Unless you're moving in a completely new and fresh direction, just stick with PFL. Now is not the time to go backwards. https://t.co/v1Yb8D1gdU caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) March 31, 2026Why would Martin, the face of renewed hope at PFL, even consider a return to Bellator branding, something thats become a code word for stagnation in mixed martial arts in 2026?Bellator of late has been a victim of more drive-bys than Spike Lee has committed to film, but it wasnt always the source of ridicule it is today. The modern sport is crying out for a promotion to come along and rival UFC. Although Bellator never had the momentum of a Strikeforce, it should be commended for its longevity and its ability to sustain itself for nearly 16 years a feat that any predominantly U.S. rival to UFC could be proud of.There were magic fights and magic nights. In 2011, Bellator staged one of the greatest contests of all time when Michael Chandler submitted Eddie Alvarez to clinch the lightweight title at Bellator 58. Dont forget the spellbinding performances Michael Venom Page displayed under the banner too. Not an MVP fan? Well, then you probably loved Douglas Limas knockout of the Brit in 2019, a moment that dominated combat sports socials on the same night that UFC 237 took place.Bellator provided opportunities for many when doors shut or didnt open in the first place. Perhaps a nod to a lack of business savvy, there are countless Bellator veterans with commensurate bouts to UFC stalwarts who walked away with a lot more financial security. It injected lifeblood into a number of international regions I saw it firsthand in Ireland across many events when UFC didnt think the juice was worth the squeeze.Yet for all those positives, were not quite in the this is awesome throwback-jersey moment for Bellator right now.Lets be honest, PFL decided just 13 months ago that the brand wasnt fit for purpose. After acquiring the promotion, there were attempts to keep it alive through the Bellator Champions Series, which just muddied the waters for PFL and led to more confusion for its audience.Before it was acquired, Bellators once bustling international events became a bore. The sentiment around the cards, particularly in Ireland, became negative, as fans and media pointed out the obvious nepotism the marquees exhibited, particularly with John Kavanaghs SBG team. Some of the biggest names who came with Bellator Patchy Mix and Patricio Pitbull Freire among them also vocalized their wishes for new pastures after the deal was done. Then PFLs former guiding light, Donn Davis, eventually cut them loose, only for Mix to go on one of the most disappointing UFC runs ever for a talent previously considered the best fighter playing his trade outside of the promotion.We are not too far removed from Bellators death throes to believe it can be restored to a thriving new property. And I get it, coming up with a new identity for a fight promotion is a lot more difficult than it sounds just look at what Chuck Mindenhall, Ben Fowlkes and I came up with on this weeks episode of The Craic. Yeah, I know, it was pretty bad.The goal of the rebrand should be to match the renewed energy put forward by Martin, coupled with the revitalized energy recent PFL events in Pittsburgh, Madrid, Belfast, Brussels and various locations around France have brought in spades.And if there is no catchy new name that will vibe with the masses, why not just stick with PFL?Bellator just doesnt compel enthusiasm a little more than a year after it was taken out back and put out of its misery.