The Professional Fighters League (PFL) and Francis Ngannou have officially announced their separation this Friday. This decision ends a three-year collaboration during which the 39-year-old Cameroonian participated in only one MMA fight under the American banner.
The PFL expressed its best wishes to Ngannou for the rest of his career, a formula that sounds like a definitive farewell. This separation raises questions about Ngannou's future in MMA, as he seems to increasingly favor boxing.
Since his fights against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou has refocused his priorities on boxing. His coach, Eric Nicksick, has expressed frustration at this sudden halt, highlighting the progress made in MMA before attention turned elsewhere.
Ngannou's last MMA fight dates back to PFL Super Fights, where he defeated Renan Ferreira by KO. Despite this achievement, the native of Batié, in the West region of Cameroon, seems determined to pursue a career in boxing, with a potential third prestigious fight against Deontay Wilder in sight.
For Nicksick, this choice is regrettable, as it means a lack of continued development in MMA. Ngannou, former UFC heavyweight champion, leaves behind an MMA legacy considered unfinished by many.
The PFL, for its part, is refocusing its strategy towards recruiting and signing the best athletes for its traditional season format. This decision comes after management changes within the PFL, with the departures of Donn Davis, Peter Murray and Ray Sefo.
Although Ngannou enjoyed unprecedented flexibility in his contract with the PFL, including the right to pursue boxing fights and become president of PFL Africa, his primary commitment to boxing has limited his presence in PFL MMA events.
Discussions for a potential boxing match between Ngannou and Wilder are ongoing, although other options are also being considered for Wilder. Such a fight would be seen as a major spectacle, pitting two of the world's biggest punchers against each other. Francis Ngannou's future therefore seems to be taking shape far from the MMA cages, at least for the moment.
