Francis Ngannou , the former UFC heavyweight champion, has made a decision regarding his future in combat sports. After a prolonged period of speculation, it has been confirmed that he will be joining the Professional Fighters League (PFL).
Ngannou’s last fight took place in early 2022 when he defended his UFC title by defeating former interim champion Ciryl Gane via decision. However, following the fight, he found himself embroiled in a contract dispute with the UFC, which resulted in him leaving the promotion in January and relinquishing his championship belt.
Initially, Ngannou’s primary goal as a free agent was to pursue a career in professional boxing. However, several reputable MMA organizations, such as Bellator, ONE Championship, and the PFL, expressed interest in signing him.
Ultimately, it was the PFL that secured Ngannou’s services. They offered him a lucrative and unprecedented deal. Ngannou will make his debut in the PFL’s “Super Fight Division” in 2024. Moreover, he will have a share in the pay-per-view revenue generated from his fights. In addition to competing, Ngannou will play a significant role in the PFL’s expansion into Africa as the chairman and minority equity owner of the new PFL Africa division. Furthermore, he will serve on the PFL athlete advisory board.
In summary, Francis Ngannou has chosen to join the Professional Fighters League, where he will compete in the “Super Fight Division” and take part in the organization’s endeavors in Africa. His signing with the PFL marks a new chapter in his combat sports career.
After the much awaited announcement ,the MMA world reacted to the news –
With Ngannou on the board of PFL Africa, the league is well-positioned to be the first major international MMA promotion to break ground in the continent.
It probably wouldn’t be as big as a UFC event—the UFC brand unfortunately sells more tickets than any single fighter—but it would still be big, especially with the likes of Ngannou and fellow Cameroonian and PFL newbie Cédric Doumbé on the card.
