Francis Ngannou explains absence from PFL’s inaugural Africa event

Former UFC heavyweight star and reigning Professional Fighters League (PFL) heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has broken his silence on why he missed PFL’s highly anticipated debut event in Africa on July 19.

Speaking on Uncrowned, a podcast hosted by renowned MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, Ngannou revealed behind-the-scenes disagreements that ultimately led to his absence from the South Africa showcase.

Ngannou, who was PFL’s most high-profile signing in 2023, said the promotion disregarded some of his concerns during preparations for the event. He argued that the inaugural PFL Africa card lacked the prestige befitting such a milestone.

“I wasn’t very okay with the first PFL Africa event seeming like an undercard,” Ngannou explained. “We worked a lot for that, but I hoped PFL Africa’s debut would have its glory, its moment. That wasn’t my decision, and I wasn’t down for it. I expressed my feelings to them.”

The event, which preceded the promotion’s Road to Dubai series, saw undefeated middleweight champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) lose his strap to Costello van Steenis (16-3) in the dying minutes of round five. The co-main event featured undefeated 2024 PFL champion Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) facing off against Sumiko Inaba (8-1).

The fighter, widely known as “The Predator,” added that he had spent two years helping shape the PFL’s Africa strategy, only to feel sidelined when the promotion went in a different direction.

Ngannou’s absence drew criticism from PFL founder Donn Davis, who admitted he was disappointed that the event’s biggest attraction did not attend.

“You have to ask Francis why he wasn’t present,” Davis told reporters at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town, as quoted by ESPN. “I’m not going to hide it — I expected him there. This is part of his vision, so that fighters on the continent don’t have to leave Africa like he did. We worked for two years. I’m disappointed.”

Ngannou signed with PFL after parting ways with the UFC in early 2023, a move that shook the MMA landscape.

He was expected to not only headline major global events but also spearhead the promotion’s expansion into Africa.