By Boris Esono Nwenfor
The Professional Fighters League and Cameroonian mixed martial arts star Francis Ngannou have officially parted ways, bringing an end to a partnership that began with considerable fanfare in 2023.
The PFL announced the split on Friday through a statement posted on social media. The organisation confirmed that the decision had been made to end its relationship with the former Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight champion.
“The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou,” the promotion said in its 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 organisation added that it remains committed to strengthening its roster and delivering top-level competition for mixed martial arts fans worldwide. Ngannou has not publicly commented on the announcement as of Saturday.
The separation marks the end of a deal that was widely regarded as one of the most ambitious signings in the history of the PFL. In 2023, the promotion secured Ngannou’s services following his high-profile departure from the UFC, where he had established himself as one of the most dominant heavyweight fighters in the sport.
Ngannou’s signing came after months of unsuccessful negotiations with the UFC over a new contract. During those discussions, Dana White had claimed that the promotion offered Ngannou a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in the organisation’s history.
Instead, the Cameroonian fighter chose a different path, signing a unique agreement with the PFL that allowed him to compete in professional boxing while also taking on an executive role within the organisation. As part of the deal, Ngannou was appointed chairman of the PFL’s Africa division, a project aimed at expanding the promotion’s presence on the continent and developing African mixed martial arts talent.
The move generated global attention and positioned Ngannou as a central figure in the PFL’s strategy to grow its brand internationally. During his time under the agreement, Ngannou pursued opportunities in boxing, stepping into the ring for two high-profile bouts against heavyweight champions. In October 2023, he faced Tyson Fury, the reigning heavyweight champion, in a widely publicised match that surprised many when Ngannou delivered a strong performance despite losing by decision.
He returned to the boxing ring in 2024 to face another heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, in a lucrative contest that further cemented his crossover appeal between mixed martial arts and boxing. Despite the high-profile deal, Ngannou fought only once under the PFL banner. In October 2024, he headlined a major event in Saudi Arabia against Brazilian heavyweight Renan Ferreira.
The fight came during a deeply emotional period for the Cameroonian athlete, occurring less than six months after the tragic death of his infant son, Kobe. Ngannou delivered a powerful performance in the bout, defeating Ferreira via first-round technical knockout and dedicating the victory to his late child. However, Ngannou was never strongly linked to another fight with the PFL following that victory. In recent months, the promotion has undergone significant leadership changes that may have contributed to the end of the partnership.
Among the major shifts were the departures of longtime chairman Donn Davis and chief executive officer Peter Murray, two executives who had been instrumental in negotiating Ngannou’s signing in 2023.
Their exits marked a new phase for the organisation and have been accompanied by broader changes in strategy and management. The split leaves open questions about the next chapter of Francis Ngannou’s career.
The 39-year-old remains one of the most recognisable figures in combat sports, known for his extraordinary knockout power and his inspirational journey from working in sand mines in Cameroon to becoming a world champion fighter. Whether he returns to mixed martial arts competition, continues his boxing pursuits, or focuses on developing African talent through other initiatives remains to be seen.
