Francis Ngannou promises to shape foundation of African MMA as PFL Africa chairman amid rumors of co

The PFL Africa joins the PFL Europe and PFL MENA in their regional league extension. The PFL Africa will consist of a regular season followed by a playoff format, kicking off in 2025. Ex-UFC Heavyweight and PFL’s biggest signing, Francis Ngannou, will chair the helm of PFL Africa.

After a contentious end to his heavyweight running, then-champ Francis Ngannou quit ahead and joined PFL in May 2023. Ex-bossman Dana White said he was getting the most extensive deal for a heavyweight. Nevertheless, the French-Cameroonian begged to differ. After some failed contractual rehashings, he joined PFL, which already gives him equity and a leadership role.

I am excited and honored to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, a league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA...As we have seen, there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.

Ngannou’s PFL cage debut still awaits. Since parting ways with the UFC, Ngannou has fought twice in boxing. The first bout saw him losing a razor-thin decision to former WBC heavyweight champ Tyson Fury. In early 2024, he suffered a KO loss to Anthony Joshua in March. Many former peers have urged him to continue his prime athleticism in boxing further.

For now, Renan Ferreira (13-3-3) awaits to welcome him to the PFL canvas. Followed by a 21-second finish of Ryan Bader in February, he’s next in line. The partnership sees Ngannou fight exclusively in MMA for PFL’s new PPV Super Fight division. As such, ‘Predator’ as a minority equity owner, can fuel strategic changes to the African MMA scene.

PFL management credits Francis Ngannou for his new role in shaping African MMA

The PFL is MMA’s only sports-season organization, with individual fighters competing in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. As a result, it has heralded quite a few minds opting for the promotion. Now, with Francis Ngannou and his superstardom, it is consequently stepping even forward.

Per new reports (Lagos, Nigeria, July 10, 2024 /H/T: prnewswire.com), Helios Sports & Entertainment Group has invested and will co-own the promotion, with Ngannou as the brand face. PFL Africa will launch in Q2 2025 across linear, digital, and mobile platforms. With the recent tragedy that befell him, management has commended Ngannou for quickly stepping into the role.

You have to give a ton of credit to Francis. Most fighters couldn’t go through what he went through this past year. He understands his value and has been extremely patient to get to this point. Now, not only is he the best heavyweight in the world, but he has a deal that is unmatched and will set him up for life.

The PFL MENA (Middle East and North Africa) held its inaugural event earlier this year. Subsequently, now the promotion has officially announced its third full league format in 2025 with the PFL Africa. Ngannou’s star power can prove paramount in bolstering more African MMA talent to the forefront. Creating more possible Ngannous down the line.

Francis Ngannou to usher in ‘unbelievable’ new talent in MMA

Francis Ngannou’s steps into MMA are an inspiration to anybody, especially in his home country, Cameroon. He risked a harrowing journey from Africa to Europe, which included a stint in prison, when he arrived in Spain on an inflatable raft. From that to heavyweight champion to budding boxer is just beyond measure.

Ngannou has long hailed plans for a MMA league in Africa as the “masterpiece” of his new deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Now, he is that close to those dreams. Dublin native Frans Mlambo, Conor McGregor’s longtime sparring partner, left his native South Africa 20 years ago. He is one of the most successful stars to come out of the Team SBG Ireland gym.

Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, the Zulu-Irishman said he was surprised on his visit to the Fight Militia gym in Johannesburg. Coming back after years, he met new talent rag-dolling him. Mlambo credits the conditioning and determination of fighters in Cameroon to Ngannou’s mammoth rise to fame as inspiration.

Ngannou joined Nigerians Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya as UFC champions in 2021. The trio raised the bar on MMA’s profile in Africa as much as McGregor did in Europe. Now that he has more freedom with PFL Africa, this could prove doubly valuable in inspiring more talent.

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