プロフェッショナル・ファイターズ・リーグは2026年3月6日、元UFCヘビー級王者フランシス・ンガヌーとの3年契約をわずか1試合のMMA戦で終了し、双方合意の上で契約解消したと発表した。MMA戦績18勝3敗の39歳のカマーーン人選手は現在フリーエージェントとなり、PFLの継続的な再編とアフリカ展開への懸念の中でMMA復帰への関心を示している。
フランシス・ンガヌーのプロフェッショナル・ファイターズ・リーグ（PFL）在籍期間は、2026年3月6日に同プロモーションが相互合意の分離を確認したことで終了した。PFLの声明では、「フランシスをアスリートとしても人物としても大いに敬意を表しており、格闘技キャリアの次の章での成功をお祈りします。PFLはスポーツ界最高のアスリートをリクルート・契約することに注力し続け、世界中のファンに世界最高レベルの競技を提供し続けます。」と述べている。
X上でのPFLとフランシス・ンガヌーの契約解消に対する反応はまちまちだ。多くの人がボクシングとMMA1試合で数百万ドルを稼いだことを称賛し、キャリア上の勝利だと呼んでいる。批評家はこれをPFLの失敗とし、低ROIが代替プロモーションの信頼性を損なったと指摘。ダナ・ホワイトとの緊張からUFC復帰への懐疑論が優勢。一部ではより良いファイターペイ推進が損なわれるとの懸念もある。
Ngannou’s failure with the PFL is bad news for MMA fighter pay says @JackMac
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 6, 2026
UFC competition not doing well will not help MMA fighters get closer to the Conor Benn like pay days. pic.twitter.com/S0bB34fUmR
>atravesse o deserto 2x
— José Louis (@concatenarsim) March 6, 2026
>more na rua
>vire campeão do UFC
>Mande um foda-se pro Dana White
>Ganhe um dinheiro pra gerações realizando seu sonho no boxe/PFL
>fique livre
>não elabore
Francis Ngannou zerou o game pic.twitter.com/J0TOwByf4o
Last time Dana White publicly spoke about Francis Ngannou
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) March 6, 2026
he didn’t have anything good to say https://t.co/LFVfOoSSaV
Shoutout Francis for scamming the pfl 🤣, don’t be surprised If Dana white puts ngannou on the White House card. UFC is a business and they all about the money and not feelings!
— Nofanboymma (@nofanboymma) March 6, 2026
This was a colossal failure by PFL. Not only did Francis Ngannou only fight once under the PFL banner, they never even got him to show up to any of the PFL Africa cards.
— Mike Ginn (@_akamike) March 6, 2026
Behind the scenes, PFL really messed this one up. Now Francis walks away free and they get no real ROI. https://t.co/YB4azXY9Qe
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Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will return to MMA after a 19-month absence, facing Philipe Lins in a five-round bout headlining the undercard of Most Valuable Promotions' inaugural event on May 16, 2026. The card, headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano, streams live on Netflix from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Ngannou, 39, recently parted ways with the PFL on March 6 and signed with MVP, co-founded by Jake Paul and Nakisa Bidarian.
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.
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South African mixed martial arts fighter Nkosi Ndebele will headline the opening event of PFL Africa season two on 10 April at Sun Arena in Pretoria. The 31-year-old from Diepsloot aims to defend his bantamweight title won in the inaugural season last year.
UFC featherweight Francis Marshall is set to make his Octagon comeback after nearly a year away, facing Erik Silva at UFC Fight Night in Mexico City. The fighter reflects on his 2-3 UFC record, including two split-decision losses, and vows to deliver more dominant performances. Marshall, training at American Top Team, feels sharper and more confident ahead of the February 28, 2026, event.
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Paddy Pimblett has outlined plans for a summer comeback in the UFC following his first loss in the promotion to Justin Gaethje at UFC 324. The lightweight contender expressed frustration over rankings changes and named several potential opponents. He emphasized his readiness to fight anyone offered.
Georgio Poullas has withdrawn from a planned submission-only grappling rematch against UFC lightweight Arman Tsarukyan at Hype FC, favoring a wrestling rematch under the RAF banner instead. The shift follows their contentious wrestling bout and post-match brawl at RAF 6, with RAF executives backing a return to their promotion to settle the score.
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Gavin Tucker has reportedly retired from MMA following the UFC's announcement of a featherweight bout against Doo Ho Choi for the upcoming UFC Fight Night in Winnipeg. The fight was scrapped as Tucker never signed the contract. The event, set for April 18 at Canada Life Centre, marks the UFC's return to the city since 2017.