Following his recent release from the PFL, Francis Ngannou dismissed criticism about his UFC exit harming his legacy during a March 10 press conference, stressing family security as true legacy. He voiced support for Jon Jones' UFC contract disputes and announced a new deal with MVP for a May 16 fight against Philippe Lins.
Francis Ngannou spoke at a press conference on March 10, 2026, promoting the upcoming Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano event, just days after his March 6 mutual separation from the PFL—ending a deal signed in 2023 that followed his UFC departure.
Addressing critics who say his career moves diminished his heavyweight legacy, Ngannou prioritized family. "Let me tell you what’s a legacy: my legacy right now is my kids back home, is my family back home getting health care, getting security, being able to put food on the table, being able to put a roof on their head," he told MMA Junkie. "That’s a better legacy... You cannot go to the store, or to the gas station, or at school and pay the school a fee with legacy."
Ngannou also supported Jon Jones amid the UFC champion's contract standoff with Dana White. On X, he wrote: "Watching this story unfold yesterday was very interesting... Jonny boy, if you manage to get your freedom, then let me know. You deserve that $30M+ after everything you’ve done for the sport." At the presser, he added: "I was saying this not only to Jon Jones but to everyone... We are independent contractors, and we should be able to get what we deserve. And if we don’t get it, we should be able to walk away."
Ngannou has since signed with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and will fight Philippe Lins in the co-main event of the Rousey-Carano card on May 16, 2026, at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, airing on Netflix.