Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, has been released from his contract with the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The announcement was made by the organization on Friday, May 24, 2024. Ngannou, who signed a three-year partnership with the PFL in May 2023, competed in only one mixed martial arts (MMA) bout under the promotion, defeating Renan Ferreira in October 2024.
Release and PFL Statement
The Professional Fighters League confirmed Ngannou's release with an official statement:
"The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou. 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 PFL remains focused on recruiting and signing the best athletes in the sport while continuing to deliver world-class competition for fans around the globe.”
This marks the second instance in Ngannou's MMA career where he has been released before the completion of a contract.
PFL Tenure and Contract Details
Ngannou joined the PFL in May 2023 as part of a three-year partnership, following his departure from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in January 2023, where he was the reigning heavyweight champion. His PFL contract permitted him to pursue non-MMA opportunities.
During his time with the PFL, Ngannou competed once in MMA, securing a first-round knockout victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2024 at the "Battle of the Giants" event in Riyadh. This bout was his only MMA appearance in four years.
The contract also allowed Ngannou to engage in high-profile boxing matches, including contests against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He was defeated by Joshua via knockout in March 2024.
Prior to the official release, the PFL had issued new promotion rankings that did not include Ngannou in the heavyweight division. PFL CEO John Martin stated that the promotion was not responsible for Ngannou's exclusion, suggesting that his inactivity might have rendered him ineligible.
Career Context and Future Prospects
Francis Ngannou is currently ranked as the No. 2 heavyweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings. His competitive schedule in 2024 was affected by personal events, including the death of his son Kobe and his involvement in a motorcycle accident in Cameroon in April, which resulted in a fatality.
A potential return to the UFC for Ngannou appears unlikely, based on previous statements from UFC CEO Dana White indicating no interest in re-signing him.