Global Courant 2023-05-16 20:21:08
The 36-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion will compete exclusively for the Professional Fighters League in a new deal.
Former UFC star Francis Ngannou has signed a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) to continue his reign as one of the top heavyweights in mixed martial arts (MMA).
The 36-year-old was still UFC heavyweight champion as contract talks with the leading promotion fell through when the Cameroonian fighter said his demands for health insurance and personal sponsorship were rejected. UFC president Dana White stripped Ngannou of the belt in January.
The terms of Ngannou’s deal with the PFL were not announced, but a rack said Tuesday he will fight exclusively in the franchise’s pay-per-view superfight division. He is expected to make his debut in mid-2024.
Ngannou (17-3) will also serve as a leader on PFL’s global advisory board, as well as chairman and shareholder in PFL Africa.
“I believe in the ‘fighter first’ culture and global vision of the PFL, including the development of the sport in Africa,” Ngannou said in the statement.
“With that, I am also proud to announce that I will serve as President of PFL Africa, the leading MMA organization on the continent that offers great African fighters the chance to compete on a global platform,” added Ngannou, the first African – born UFC heavyweight champion.
PFL CEO Peter Murray said talks with Ngannou began when “he was no longer encumbered” and the fighter was expected to play a central role in the company’s planned global expansion.
Ngannou also wants to box and the PFL will not stand in his way, Murray told The Associated Press news agency.
“We support the fact that Francis is going to box,” he said.
Ngannou is the first African-born UFC champion (File: Greg Baker/AFP)
It’s been a long journey for the sweet-natured Ngannou who started working in a sand quarry at the age of 12 and then, in his mid-twenties, embarked on a long and life-threatening journey from Cameroon to France – a journey he once described as “hell” .
Ngannou crossed the Sahara and spent a year in Morocco before entering Spain via the Mediterranean. Upon his arrival in Spain, he was detained for entering illegally and spent two months in detention before regaining his freedom and eventually reaching France.
In Paris, he was homeless until he found a fitness center to sleep and work out. In 2013 he made his professional debut and two years later he was signed by the UFC.
‘Perfectly timed’
While the PFL has a unique MMA competition format that includes a regular season, postseason, and championship event, Ngannou will only fight in a scheduled PPV division featuring other stars such as Kayla Harrison and Jake Paul.
“This is a new model and it’s a transformational deal,” said Murray. “This is not just an athlete’s signature. This is a strategic partnership. Francis has all the capabilities not only as an elite MMA fighter but also as a businessman and we are delighted to do business with him.”
Ngannou had dropped a teaser video on social media that he was planning to make a big announcement on May 16. On Monday, he posted a photo of himself with the caption, “Looking to the bright future on the horizon.”
23.05.16 pic.twitter.com/pmy6toLkgR
— Francis Ngannou (@francis_ngannou) May 13, 2023
Ngannou bounced back from back-to-back losses in the UFC to win six straight bouts, including a championship bout against Stipe Miocic and one successful title defense.
He hasn’t fought since he defeated Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision at UFC 270 in January 2022.
His relationship with UFC frayed to the point that White vowed Ngannou would “never be in the UFC again”.
‘I never say never, but I’ll give you a never. We tried,” White said.
Ngannou negotiated with ONE Championship, but those talks came to an end shortly before the Singapore-based league made its United States debut in Denver last week.
PFL has made a big impression by signing outside stars before, with fighters such as Paul and Olympic gold medal boxer Claressa Shields. The PFL also signed French fighter and former world kickboxing champion Cedric Doumbe last week.
But none of the signings were as powerful as Ngannou.
“This is the No. 1 signing this company has ever made in MMA,” said Murray. “It is timed perfectly. We are now focused on our next phase of growth and launching our pay-per-view business and international expansion with regional competitions.
Murray said details about Paul’s PFL debut would be announced after he fights Nate Diaz in August and that Harrison will indeed fight in 2023.
“I can assure you that fighters looking to get out of their contracts look to the PFL as a major global stage with the very best talent in the world,” said Murray.
