Francis Ngannou strikes new deal with Professional Fighters League, PFL

By David Atangana

Cameroonian born former Ultimate Fighting heavy weight champion, Francis Nganou has signed a new contract with Professional Fighters League, PFL, several months after he announced he was quitting UFC-his former fighting company.

The deal was announced Tuesday May 16, 2023The ‘strategic partnership’ gives Ngannou equity and leadership roles in the mixed martial arts company while also letting him pursue outside boxing fights. Reports say Ngannou intends to fight a mixed martial arts bout in the P.F.L. in mid-2024, after competing in a boxing ring sometime this year.

He adds that, “They didn’t just show up as a promotion that was looking for a fighter, but really came as a partner that sees more value in you as a person.”Among his desired terms, he said, was an increase in salary and the ability to box.

It should be noted that Ngannou fell out with his former employer after failing to agree on a salary increase and other working conditions.

The 36 year-old native of Cameroon, who moved to the United States after beginning his mixed martial arts career in France, entered the U.F.C. in 2015 and became the heavyweight champion in 2021.

But before the last fight on his U.F.C. contract in January 2022, Ngannou said he was ” lprepared to leave the promotional company if they could not reach an agreement on a new contract.”