The Professional Fighters League announced on March 6, 2026, that it has parted ways with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, ending a three-year contract after just one MMA bout. The 39-year-old Cameroonian, now a free agent with an 18-3 MMA record, has expressed interest in returning to MMA amid PFL's ongoing restructuring and questions over its African expansion.
Francis Ngannou's time with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) ended on March 6, 2026, when the promotion confirmed the mutual separation. In a statement, PFL said: "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."
Ngannou joined PFL in May 2023 after a contentious exit from UFC, where he won the heavyweight title in 2021 by knocking out Stipe Miocic and defended it against Ciryl Gane in 2022. His UFC departure centered on disputes over fighter pay and benefits. The landmark PFL contract offered a seven-figure per-fight salary, flexibility for boxing, and roles on the global advisory board plus chairman of PFL Africa.
Ngannou fought only once for PFL, defeating Renan Ferreira via first-round knockout at the 'Battle of the Giants' event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2024 to win the Super Fights heavyweight championship. His focus largely shifted to boxing, where he went 0-2: dropping Tyson Fury but losing a controversial decision in October 2023, and suffering a second-round knockout to Anthony Joshua in March 2024. These bouts reportedly earned him around $30 million combined.
Tensions emerged during his PFL stint, including Ngannou's absence from the first two PFL Africa events in 2025, criticism of the promotion for not prioritizing African fighters, and his limited MMA activity since 2022. The split coincides with PFL's restructuring, including the departures of longtime president Ray Sefo and founder Donn Davis, as the league eyes a 2026 schedule with events in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Brussels.
Ngannou has faced personal hardships, including the 2024 death of his son Kobe and a motorcycle accident in Cameroon in April that resulted in a fatality. His relationship with UFC CEO Dana White remains strained due to past conflicts, making a return unlikely.
Addressing his future, Ngannou told TMZ Sports he plans to fight MMA again, responding 'Yes, of course' and noting he is 'in the process of arranging something.' His departure leaves uncertainty for PFL Africa's growth, where he held an equity stake.