Francis Ngannou could become an MMA free agent in 2026.
The former UFC heavyweight champion has been under the PFL banner since 2022, having joined the promotion after a lengthy contractual dispute with Dana White’s organization concluded with the Cameroonian’s exit.
Fans have seen ‘The Predator’ compete inside the cage just once since then. Ngannou dominantly beat Renan Ferreira in his PFL debut, which came after two huge outings in boxing. And the 39-year-old looks to have his sights on the ring again amid a struggle to find opponents in the PFL.
Many seem to believe the promotion has been hard done by in the arrangement, and Ngannou’s time in the PFL could be over sooner rather than later after he revealed the expiry of his contract in 2026.
But even the prospect of the heavyweight star becoming a free agent before the White House event on June 14 doesn’t look like enough for the UFC president to alter his stance on re-signing him.
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Rate the chances of Francis Ngannou ever fighting in the UFC again out of 10
Dana White says nothing made him happier than ‘throwing’ Francis Ngannou to the PFL
Things have been far from friendly between ‘The Predator’ and his former employer in recent years. Their animosity took another turn in November when White accused Ngannou of pushing him at a past UFC event.
The bridge between the former UFC heavyweight champion and the 56-year-old promoter has been firmly broken, and White appears to have no plans to mend it.
After Ngannou’s contract bombshell, the UFC CEO reacted during an interview with The Mac Life.
“I don’t know how I can make it anymore f—- clear,” White said while laughing after being asked if he is interested in bringing Ngannou back.
“There was nothing that made me happier than throwing that guy over to the f—- PFL.
“Let me tell you what, if we let guys go, feel bad for the f—- company that gets them,” he continued. “We let them go for a f—- reason. I don’t have to let anybody go.
“I don’t want to be in business with guys I don’t like and don’t think are good guys.”
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Francis Ngannou addressed Dana White’s allegation
After being accused of pushing his ex-boss, Ngannou reacted to White’s allegation while speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show.
The former heavyweight king did not outright deny the claim, instead suggesting that there must have been cameras on site to prove the UFC CEO’s claim.
“Why am I not surprised?” Ngannou said. “At some point, it feels very annoying to just have to be responsible of what people say. Basically, if Dana says this, then I’m out here to defend myself of what Dana said, or whoever.
“I don’t find it important [to respond]. I don’t find it necessary. At some point it was, but over time, it’s not anymore. Maybe I’m getting old. I have less energy for drama or for stuff. I just want to be at peace, and for people to leave me alone. That’s all.
“In his office, that’s what he said, right?” Ngannou asked. “Well, I’m sure he has a lot of cameras there.”
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