Francis Ngannou is a Cameroonian-French MMA fighter; one of the hardest-hitting fighters in the sport’s history, the former UFC heavyweight champion, and the first African heavyweight world champion in history.
However, after winning a UFC heavyweight championship, the professional fighter is preparing for his retirement. He envisaged an African version of the UFC. In a 2017 interview, he told RMC Sport that he wants the continent to develop a promotion like the UFC, since Africa has all the potential.
“We have all the potential … I think Africa can develop something big and beautiful that is adapted to the continent,” Ngannou said.
According to him, Africa has the right fighters, adding that there are more than 550 male fighters in different divisions in the UFC. Of these 550 fighters, there are less than 50 Africans, but three are champions, he noted.
“That’s less than 5% of African fighters, but 43% of champions. In terms of percentages, we dominate the UFC. If the UFC comes to Africa, it’s beautiful,” he told RMC Sports.
Today, Ngannou is putting his vision into reality through his partnership with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), making him a minority owner. PFL is regarded as one of the fastest-growing global sports leagues and the second MMA company worldwide on all metrics.
The partnership will see the professional fighter act as chairman and a minority equity owner in PFL Africa. Additionally, he will anchor the PFL’s PPV Super Fight Division and also serve on PFL’s Global Athlete Advisory Board.
“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,” Ngannou said in a press statement. “I believe in the PFL’s ‘fighter first’ culture and global vision including developing the sport in Africa.”
As part of the partnership deal, Ngannou has been recruited to fight exclusively in MMA for the PFL’s new PPV Super Fight Division, and is scheduled to make his PFL PPV Super Fight debut in mid-2024 against a major global MMA starfighter to be chosen in the future.
Moreover, the division has developed a model to enhance true economic partnerships with the sport’s top stars to compete in global mega-events, offering 50% of the revenue from the PPV fights.
Meanwhile, the PFL CEO, Peter Murray, has pledged to work with Ngannou to bring his vision to life and also impact communities in Africa.
“Beyond working with Francis to advance the sport of MMA and scale PFL globally, I’m personally looking forward to supporting Francis in his commitment to fight for communities in Africa and around the world, inspired by his vision for the Francis Ngannou Foundation,” he said.
