Francis Ngannou, widely regarded as the world’s greatest heavyweight mixed martial artist, has signed a “strategic partnership” with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) following his split with the UFC. As part of the deal, Ngannou will serve as chairman of PFL Africa, anchor the PFL’s star-studded pay-per-view Super Fight Division, and represent fighters’ interests on PFL’s Global Athlete Advisory Board. He is expected to make his PFL debut in early 2024, with a minimum salary of $2 million for opponents per fight. The contract also allows Ngannou to pursue boxing fights and bring his own sponsors into the ring.
The PFL is known for having a “fighter first” culture, and Ngannou’s deal is seen as a major boost for the promotion, which distributes fights through ESPN and DAZN. The Cameroonian-French fighter is the latest high-profile fighter to join PFL’s flagship division for super fights, which also includes stars like Kayla Harrison and Jake Paul.
Ngannou’s departure from the UFC came after he failed to agree on new terms with the organization, which sparked his exit. He walked away from a record $8 million offer as part of a multi-bout UFC agreement to fight Jon Jones, citing his want for improved fighter treatment and representation. UFC President Dana White’s statements about him were also described as demonstrably not true.
In contrast, PFL CEO Peter Murray praised Ngannou, saying his deal was not “just an athlete signing” but a “strategic partnership”. The 36-year-old fighter is not only an elite MMA fighter, Murray noted, but also a businessperson, making him an exciting partner for the PFL.
Ngannou’s new contract with the PFL is seen as the most valuable MMA deal awarded to an individual fighter. With his leadership role on PFL Africa and representation on the Global Advisory Board, Ngannou’s involvement in the MMA promotion is expected to bring in significant value. The PFL has also announced its intention to launch multiple leagues across different continents, with PFL Africa slated to be the leading MMA organization on the continent.
As the first active fighter to serve on PFL’s global advisory board, Ngannou’s presence in the promotion is seen as a major threat to the way major promoters like UFC typically operate. He is a rare fighter willing to use his platform and risk leverage to create a better tomorrow for MMA athletes. With his new partnership with PFL, Ngannou has the opportunity to further his vision for a fighter-first culture in the MMA world.
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