Francis Ngannou Released From PFL After One Fight in Three Years
By Eddie Sanchez
Francis Ngannou is once again the biggest free agent in MMA, three years after his high-profile deal with PFL was cut short. On Friday, PFL announced that the promotion was parting ways with Ngannou after only one fight under the banner, since signing the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Ngannou parted ways with UFC in January 2023. As the reigning heavyweight champion, Ngannou and UFC had reached an impasse in negotiations over both pay and Ngannou’s desire to pursue big boxing matches.
Ngannou signed with PFL the following May, but it took fifteen months before he fought for the PFL. That night, Ngannou took less than one round to defeat Renan Ferreira to win the symbolic PFL super fight heavyweight title.
During his time with PFL, Ngannou also served as chairman of PFL Africa, which he helped launch.
“The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou,” PFL said in a statement on Friday. “We have great respect for Francis as both an athlete and a person, and we wish him success in the next chapter of his combat sports career. The PFL remains focused on recruiting and signing the best athletes in the sport while continuing to deliver world-class competition for fans around the globe.”
In December, Ngannou hinted that he was interested in a fight with Jon Jones at UFC’s planned event at the White House, saying, “there’s a chance.”
So What’s Next?
If Ngannou and the UFC are to repair relations, this would surely come at the perfect moment for the organization. Current champion, Tom Aspinall, is recovering from multiple eye surgeries, Jon Jones is playing cat-and-mouse with his status as a fighter, prospect Gable Steveson is yet to sign with the UFC, and although Alex Pereira is expected to join the division, it remains to be seen if he will need tune-ups of sorts to acclimate to the division.
With those five men, you can easily see a perfect storm or absolute tragedy for the division. Given the latest news though, all eyes will be on Ngannou.
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