Professional Fighters League splits with heavyweight Francis Ngannou

The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has announced it has parted ways with heavyweight star Francis Ngannou.

The organization released a statement Friday confirming the decision.

“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 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.”

The Cameroonian fighter joined the PFL in May 2023 after leaving the UFC following a contract dispute while he was still the reigning heavyweight champion.

Ngannou first debuted in the UFC in 2015 and rose to become heavyweight champion in 2021. During his run, he recorded 11 stoppage victories, including knockout wins over fellow champions Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski.

His final UFC appearance came at UFC 270 in January 2022, where he defended his title with a unanimous decision victory over Ciryl Gane.

Ngannou fought only once under the PFL banner, defeating Renan Ferreira via first-round ground-and-pound in the main event of a PFL card in October 2024.

The 39-year-old was also named chairman of PFL Africa when the regional league launched in May 2025.

Outside of MMA, Ngannou competed in two high-profile boxing matches. He lost a narrow decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023—despite knocking down the former undisputed champion—but was later knocked out by Anthony Joshua in March 2024.

It remains unclear what Ngannou’s next move will be, whether a return to MMA or another venture into professional boxing.