Francis Ngannou has expressed surprise at the announcement of his split with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), stating he was not informed of the decision before it was made public.
In a recent interview, the former UFC heavyweight champion said he had been waiting for a fight since last year and was surprised to learn of his separation from the PFL through social media. "I was hoping to have a fight since last year. I was asking for a fight, and they kept telling me they were working on it," he explained. "We parted ways in January. It was their decision, not mine. I was a little surprised when they made the announcement. They should have at least warned me. People just sent it to me. It was already public, and I wasn't aware at all".
Ngannou had signed with the PFL in May 2023 after unsuccessful negotiations with the UFC. The deal with PFL allowed him to participate in boxing matches, a key point he had pushed for during his time in free agency. He subsequently participated in high-profile boxing fights against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. In October 2024, he made his return to MMA and defeated Renan Ferreira.
Ngannou's contract with the PFL was unique. It included a leadership role as chairman of PFL Africa, a seat on the PFL Global Advisory Board, and the ability to manage his own sponsorship deals. Additionally, he had negotiated a minimum payout of $2 million for his opponents.
The PFL confirmed the separation with Ngannou in a statement, thanking him for his contribution and wishing him well in his future endeavors. "The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou," the organization said in a statement. "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 news of this separation has surprised many observers, given the PFL's initial ambitions to make Ngannou a figurehead of the organization. Ngannou, for his part, seems ready to explore new opportunities in the world of combat sports.
The PFL remains focused on recruiting and signing the best athletes in the sport, while continuing to deliver world-class competition to fans around the globe.
