Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, has signed a new outstanding deal, not with the UFC, but with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), which will see him realize many of his demands from the sport.
The PFL, an American mixed martial arts league, was founded by venture capitalist Donn Davis in 2017 and launched in 2018.
Since officially parting ways with the UFC on January 14, 2023 on mutual grounds, Ngannou has been from one negotiation to the other, searching for the perfect contract that would meet at least 90% of his demands. Therefore, an agreement with the PFL means that the contract terms are favorable to him.
As part of the agreement, Ngannou will become chairman of PFL Africa, an expansion initiative to produce events on the continent, and will serve on the company’s advisory board to represent fighter interests. In an interview Ngannou said,
The past few months have been a very interesting time to understand and see the landscape but I’m very excited about this deal with the PFL because they basically showed what I was expecting,” Ngannou said in an interview.
They didn’t just show up as a promotion that was looking for a fighter, but really came as a partner that sees more value in you as a person.
Francis Ngannou
On one side, there is team doubtful and and on the other, team optimistic. Those who are on team doubtful are not sure if Ngannou’s joining the PFL is the right move or decision for him. On the other hand, team optimistic think this is the best decision and move for his career right now and believe the ex-UFC heavyweight champion still has what it takes to win another championship.
