![]() ![]() There is also no obvious opponent for Ngannou to face who would build a mega event. This company has no established track record for promoting - and profiting from - PPV events. He also has been given equity in the PFL Africa brand.įor the PFL, it's less clear. Exact terms haven't been disclosed however, PFL co-founder Donn Davis told ESPN the deal matches what the UFC offered Ngannou earlier this year, which the UFC stated would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history. Okamoto: For Ngannou, it would seem remarkable. What are the financial implications of the move - for the PFL and Ngannou? The promotion announced earlier this year that under PPV Super Fight Division contracts, revenue from events is equally split between athlete and promoter. At this point, it is unlikely that the PFL will promote a PPV event in 2023, but it has expressed interest in holding two PPVs per year. The PFL has promoted only one PPV event, which took place last year, but has strong ambitions for growth in that area moving forward. Two-time PFL champion Kayla Harrison is also essentially on this type of PFL contract, as she is not included in the 2023 season. Ngannou joins the PFL's "PPV Super Fight Division," a category of contracts that also includes professional boxer/social media influencer Jake Paul. Will Ngannou be part of the next heavyweight season? Ngannou wants to grace the boxing ring at some point this year, but what that will look like - if it does happen - remains to be seen. He has expressed interest in matches against Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, but neither of those elite heavyweights is likely available in 2023. The PFL is not involved in his boxing career at all, which means Ngannou is contractually available to any promoter he chooses. Ngannou wants to box, and is free to do so - under any terms he wishes. This deal wouldn't exist if the PFL wanted to stand in the way of Ngannou's interest in boxing. ![]() But as much of a pickup as it is for the PFL, Ngannou's signing raises questions about his boxing ambitions as well as what's in store for him inside the PFL cage.ĮSPN's Brett Okamoto and Jeff Wagenheim outline what this deal means for Ngannou and the combat sports industry.ĭoes this end Ngannou's pursuit of big boxing matches? The game-changing arrival of Ngannou, who vacated his UFC title and left the company in January, is by far the biggest acquisition by the PFL in its five-year existence. That effort has received pushback, though, from fans and media who see more high-level champions competing in MMA's perennial second fiddle, Bellator.īut now the ambitious PFL can make a claim that is difficult to dispute: With the signing of former UFC champion Francis Ngannou, the PFL now boasts arguably the best heavyweight in MMA. ![]() 2 fight promotion in the sport, behind only the mighty UFC. The PFL has made it a mission to persuade the MMA public that it is the No. ![]() What we know and don't know about Francis Ngannou's signing with the PFL You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser ![]()
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