The former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has finally signed a new deal with a major promotion. After promotions like UFC, Bellator, and ONE Championship failed to come to a term with Ngannou, it was PFL that offered him the most lucrative deal, and “The Predator” took it gladly!
UFC President Dana White announced in January 2023 that Ngannou will no longer continue with the company. It came as a major shock to MMA fans all around the world. Supporters and pundits were stunned to see the 36-year-old leave the UFC at the height of his power. Many also questioned whether he would get a deal that even came close to the money that UFC was offering.
Francis Ngannou rejects UFC and ONE Championship for PFL
As per reports, Ngannou had an offer on the table that would allow him to earn $8 million per fight. However, Francis wanted to sign a 3-fight deal and also asked for the freedom to take boxing bouts. Needless to say, the UFC team did not agree to the deal. Even ONE Championship tried to get in the race to sign the Cameroon native.
According to ONE Championship’s CEO Chatri Sityodtong, the Asia-based MMA promotion offered Francis $20 million. However, Ngannou apparently rejected that as well. But after all the drama, Ngannou has finally sorted out a contract that he is happy with. After the news was made official, Ngannou also issued a statement and called PFL’s “fighter first” policy one of the reasons behind his signing a contract.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
“The Predator” @francis_ngannou is PFL bound!He’s set to fight in the PFL’s PPV Superfight division https://t.co/Jal3clCZhW pic.twitter.com/5RRaG7oFwr
— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 16, 2023
He added, “I am very excited for this game changing partnership with the Professional Fighters League to continue my MMA fighting career in the PFL’s PPV Super Fight Division… I believe in the PFL’s ‘fighter first’ culture and global vision, including developing the sport in Africa. With that, I am also proud to announce that I will serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, which will be the leading MMA organization on the continent providing great African fighters the opportunity to compete on a global platform.”
Will Ngannou earn more in PFL than in UFC?
Francis Ngannou will have a lot of freedom to pursue his other interests while being under contract with PFL. According to a report from New York Times, Ngannou will be making his boxing debut later in 2023. However, Ngannou will have the option to look for boxing deals elsewhere as his PFL deal is strictly related to his MMA career. But he will not be just any other fighter in the PFL.
PFL launched a PPV division earlier and named it the “Superfight” division. Just like Jake Paul, Ngannou will also be fighting in the PPV division rather than taking part in the regular PFL season. As for his promotional debut, Ngannou is set to grace the PFL smart cage sometime in 2024. So the question becomes, what are the perks of the deal which made Francis choose PFL?
Ngannou is set to receive equity and will assume a leadership role in the company. PFL is set to expand its wings with PFL Africa taking effect from 2024. PFL CEO Peter Murray revealed that Ngannou will be “an equity owner in PFL Africa.” The former UFC fighter will also have a seat on the PFL’s Global Advisory Board. While his exact salary has not been revealed just yet, Ngannou is expected to earn 50% of the PPV revenue for his fights.
Aside from securing a large chunk of money for his future, Ngannou also beats Conor McGregor in a crucial area. In 2016, Conor was the biggest star in MMA, if not the whole combat sports world. With high-selling PPVs like UFC 196, UFC 202, and UFC 205 under his belt already, McGregor had his eyes on something much bigger. He wanted a part of the company, or in his words, “An equity stake in the company.”
Although Conor could not do it in the UFC, Ngannou has achieved the feat in PFL. So what are your thoughts on the matter? Let us know in the comments down below.