Francis Ngannou has cleared the air on why he wasn’t at PFL Africa.
The PFL’s signing of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was one of the MMA promotion’s biggest wins in 2023.
However, the Professional Fighters League doesn’t have much to show for it, as Ngannou has only fought in their cage once since inking his PFL contract—a devastating first-round knockout of champion Renan Ferreira last October.
When Ngannou was signed, the Cameroonian star was said to be instrumental in the PFL’s outreach to Africa. But, weeks ago, when the time finally came for PFL Africa, ‘The Predator’ was nowhere to be found.
PFL founder Donn Davis says he was ‘disappointed’ in Ngannou not attending their first event, to which Ngannou has finally responded.
Francis Ngannou wasn’t okay with PFL Africa’s ‘undercard’ quality
On Monday, Ngannou made an appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show, confirming he heard Davis’ comments on his no-show at PFL Africa.
The inaugural PFL Africa event in Capetown featured Bellator champion Johnny Eblen, Dakota Ditcheva, AJ McKee, and Corey Anderson.
Ngannou wasn’t too pleased with the quality of the card, opting to not attend the inaugural event or the next card in Johannesburg.
“It was something that he shouldn’t bring it out [to the public], right?” Ngannou said of Davis saying he was ‘disappointed’ in him not being at PFL Africa.
“At least, if it was me, I wouldn’t keep it out there now because he get in the position that we have to bring up context like why didn’t I come there? He did know why I didn’t come.
“I mean, I’ve been waiting this for two years and this was a big part of it,” Ngannou said of his vision for PFL Africa.
Ngannou explained why he didn’t show up to Capetown.
“For example, like if you want to know what exactly is the reason why I wasn’t there. I wasn’t very okay with the first PFL Africa event seeming to be like an undercard.
“Quoting him, we work a lot for that, PFL Africa, but I hoped PFL Africa’s debut would have at least have its glory, its moment. But that wasn’t my decision and I wasn’t down for it. I express my feeling to them,” Ngannou said.
John McCarthy wants Francis Ngannou’s division cut
Legendary MMA referee John McCarthy says Ngannou is doing nothing for the PFL.
In one of his more recent takes, McCarthy has implored the MMA promotion to cut ties with not just Ngannou but the rest of the heavyweight division.
“It’s a glamour division with no talent,” McCarthy said on the Weighing In Podcast.
“Get rid of it. All it does is cost you way more money than it’s worth for your promotion. Get rid of the heavyweights, put in all the other weight classes, have 125, 35, 45, 55. You’ll have it all the way to 205,” McCarthy added.
“You don’t need the heavyweights because they’re not doing anything for you. And Francis is not doing anything as far as what he was supposedly contracted for,” McCarthy mentioned Ngannou.