What began as a high-profile partnership between Francis Ngannou and the Professional Fighters League has come to an end.
On Friday, the promotion announced it had officially released the former UFC heavyweight champion from his contract, closing the chapter on a three-year relationship that once promised to reshape the landscape of combat sports.
PFL released a statement on Friday morning.
“The Professional Fighters League has made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou. 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 (18-3) made just one appearance for the PFL, scoring a first-round TKO victory over Renan Ferreira at PFL Super Fights in 2024.
Despite his limited activity in the promotion, Ngannou spent much of that time competing in the boxing ring. He dropped a split decision to Tyson Fury in 2023 before suffering a knockout loss to Anthony Joshua in 2024.
News of Ngannou’s release quickly spread across social media, with many fans speculating about a possible return to the UFC, particularly for a long-discussed showdown with Jon Jones. UFC CEO Dana White has previously stated there is no path back for the heavyweight, though in MMA, circumstances can change quickly.
