Francis Ngannou might have a future as a professional boxer. But that does not mean he is leaving mixed martial arts at the same time. PFL CEO Peter Murray discussed the former UFC heavyweight champion during a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio.
As far as the PFL and CEO Peter Murray are concerned, all the hype, headlines and clicks generated by Francis Ngannou and his battle with Tyson Fury are for the good of the promotion.
While some have wondered aloud of Ngannou could be done with mixed martial arts, Murray does not believe that to be true. In fact, plans to announce his debut with the PFL for 2024 on pay-per-view are closer by the day.
“He put on an incredible performance,” Murray said during a recent appearance on MMA Junkie Radio. “We all know that, and he really won that fight. He won everybody’s heart, proved everybody wrong, so now it’s on to the next chapter and next year.
“We launch our pay-per-view division. Francis Ngannou will be a big part of that. He’ll return to the cage with the PFL. We’ll be announcing those details, I would say, in the coming weeks in terms of an opponent and timing. We’re working through that.”
Francis Ngannou To Continue Boxing In Future
Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, signed with the promotion after his contract with the UFC expired. Part of the agreement included giving him the opportunity to box, along with helping grow the sport internationally.
“Francis is going to continue to box,” Murray said. “We’ll see if there’s a rematch. I know there’s a number of big-time boxers who now saw that Francis is the best combat sports athlete on the planet and has all the skill in the world in boxing.
“It’s gonna be exciting to watch.”
PFL Africa is scheduled to launch in 2025 and Ngannou will be “a big part” that.
“That’ll be a big part of his legacy in terms of pacing the way for the next great athletes and fighters from the continent of Africa,” he said. “Francis is incredibly passionate about that.”
