Will Ngannou Fight In MMA After PFL Departure?

Francis Ngannou has addressed his future for the first time since being released from The PFL. 

Despite a three-year partnership with the PFL that yielded only a single MMA appearance, the 39-year-old former UFC heavyweight champion remains adamant that his career in MMA is far from over. Critics were quick to suggest that Ngannou’s focus on boxing matches against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua had signaled the end of his MMA career. Ngannou, however, offered a different viewpoint. While he has only fought once in the cage since January 2022 (his 2024 knockout of Renan Ferreira), Ngannou remains on a seven-fight winning streak in MMA, a fact he is eager to build upon.

"Yes, of course," Ngannou said

Ngannou’s free agency arrives at a moment of volatility in the heavyweight division. The news of his release broke alongside another major piece of new: Tom Aspinall signing with Eddie Hearn’s new management agency. With Ngannou now a free agent, the "Jon Jones Superfight" has once again come back on the agenda. However, a return to the UFC remains unlikely, as Dana White recently reiterated that a reunion is "unlikely." Reports suggest Ngannou is "expected" to compete on a card as early as May 16. This event, reportedly produced by Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and aired on Netflix, is rumored to be headlined by Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.

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