Francis Ngannou is a member of the Professional Fighters League. Ngannou signed an expansive “strategic partnership” with the organization that will see him star in the PFL PPV Super Fight Division in 2024, launch PFL Africa and become a part of the Global Athlete Advisory Board.
Via PFL press release:
Under the partnership, Ngannou will fight exclusively in MMA for the PFL’s new PPV Super Fight Division, joining combat sports superstars Jake Paul and Kayla Harrison. The Super Fight Division was launched to revamp the antiquated business model of MMA and to forge true economic partnerships with the sport’s top stars to compete in global mega events, offering 50% of the revenue from the PPV fights. Ngannou will make his PFL PPV Super Fight debut in mid-2024 against a major global MMA star fighter to be chosen in the future. DAZN is a partner of PFL’s Super Fight Division and will distribute events on its PPV platform in Europe and other priority international markets.
The PFL Global Advisory Board has been established for the league to closely collaborate with the greatest athletes and minds in the sport of MMA to ensure the PFL stays focused on its fighters-first mission, combined with recruiting and developing future global champions. As part of the strategic partnership with the PFL, Ngannou will serve in a leadership role on the PFL Global Advisory Board, making him the first active fighter to serve on the board and represent fighters’ interests.
John Nash of Bloody Elbow has been on top of this story and revealed some interesting figures per BE (subscribers only):
Payout Perspective:
This seems like a calculated risk for the PFL as it tries to bolster its PFL PPV Division with Ngannou. Moreover, it is trying to position itself as the second biggest MMA organization in the sport. For Ngannou, the terms of the deal (per Nash) seem very good in his favor. Specifically, the lack of a Champions Clause allowing freedom to become a free agent if he comes to a contractual impasse as champion and the opportunity to do boxing without the harness of a promotional organization tied to him (think Conor McGregor when he fought Mayweather). Ngannou’s ties to Africa may provide some competition for athletes from the continent as the UFC has been tied to expanding into Africa too.
The biggest question out of the deal is whether there will be quality opponents for Ngannou. Also, can the 36-year-old stay healthy for the PFL? If Ngannou were to be out of action due to injury, it may inhibit the investment by the PFL. With the signing, the PFL has raised interest in its product but we will have to see what other moves it makes around Ngannou to find short term recoup on its investment.
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