The Professional Fighters League announced on March 6, 2026, that it has parted ways with former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Ngannou, who joined PFL in 2023, competed in only one MMA bout for the promotion. He is now a free agent at age 39.
Francis Ngannou's tenure with the Professional Fighters League ended abruptly on March 6, 2026, when the organization released a statement confirming the split. "The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou," the statement read. "We have great respect for Francis as both a 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 signed with PFL in May 2023 following a contentious departure from the UFC, where he had become the heavyweight champion in 2021 by knocking out Stipe Miocic and defended the title against Ciryl Gane in 2022. His UFC exit stemmed from a contract dispute, during which he advocated for better fighter pay and health benefits. The PFL deal allowed flexibility for non-MMA pursuits, including boxing matches against Tyson Fury in 2023, which he lost by decision, and Anthony Joshua in 2024, ending in a knockout defeat. These bouts reportedly earned him a combined $30 million, according to Sports Business Journal and his coach Eric Nicksick.
In his sole PFL appearance, Ngannou defeated Renan Ferreira via first-round knockout in October 2024 at the "Battle of the Giants" event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, capturing the PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship. He also served as chairman and equity owner of PFL Africa but did not attend its 2025 debut in Cape Town, South Africa. Ngannou's MMA activity has been limited over the past four years, with his last fight before Ferreira being his UFC title defense in 2022.
The release comes amid personal challenges for Ngannou, including the death of his son Kobe in 2024 and a motorcycle accident in Cameroon in April that resulted in a fatality. His relationship with UFC CEO Dana White remains strained, marked by past allegations of unprofessional conduct, including an incident where White claimed Ngannou grabbed his shirt during a bonus dispute. While a UFC return is speculated, White's comments suggest it is unlikely. PFL, shifting focus for its 2026 schedule, plans events in locations such as Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Brussels.
