May 16, (THEWILL) – Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, has signed a contract with the Professional Fighters League, he announced Tuesday.
“I’m very excited about this deal with the PFL because they basically showed what I was expecting,” Ngannou revealed. He is looking to return to MMA competition in mid-2024 and has committed to two or three fights with PFL, earning a “high seven-figure” purse for each bout.
As part of his contract with PFL, the 36-year-old fighter will become the chairman for PFL Africa, an expansion initiative to produce events on the continent, according to details of the deal. PFL CEO Peter Murray said the new venture is expected to launch in 2024 and could be hosting events on the continent by 2025.
Ngannou will also have the ability to schedule boxing events outside of PFL’s umbrella, providing him with an opportunity for new challenges and growth. The 36-year-old, who has not fought since earning a unanimous decision over Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022, became locked in a contract dispute with the UFC, which finally released him in January.
His signing with PFL follows the promotion’s recent acquisition of Jake Paul, and the new deal will not only make Ngannou one of the highest-paid fighters but also give him a significant level of freedom and favourable terms.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
