Ngannou Looks Back On Leaving The UFC; Cyborg Vs. Harrison Is Off
Francis Ngannou reflected on his decision to leave the UFC and join the PFL.
The former UFC heavyweight champion reportedly turned down an $8 million offer from the UFC to go elsewhere. Ngannou’s decision was based on the fact he would not be an independent contractor. The contract would have limited his freedom to control his career. After the departure, Dana White promised never to work with him again. This shut down any chances of fans seeing a mega fight with Jon Jones.
Ngannou had been linked with the PFL, BKFC and even One Championship. He decided on the PFL, which gave him the option to box. [And] he seized the opportunity to fight Tyson Fury and earn the highest purse of his career. He also performed on fight night.
In the third round, he dropped the WBC heavyweight champion with a sweeping left hook. He went toe-to-toe until the final bell. Although he lost a split decision, the win has earned him much praise with links against Deontay Wilder and Anthony Joshua for further boxing fights. But the process of leaving was accompanied by many hurdles, which he recognized.
Ngannou’s UFC Departure
“It’s part of the business and that’s something that I learned this year – how this business can be nasty. You have people who pretend to be something that they are not. But it’s a good part of the learning process.
“Becoming a fighter and stepping into that position is something you are not educated about. Most fighters never get educated, and that’s why for the most part, fighters keep getting screwed. I’m lucky I got into the position where I had to learn that, and then comes the PFL with a great offer, a great contract and a great opportunity that I couldn’t turn down,” Ngannou said
Cyborg Vs. Harrison
From one PFL star to another, Kayla Harrison allegedly turned down an offer to fight Cris Cyborg in the PFL.
Cyborg, the current Bellator women’s featherweight champion, has been linked with facing Harrison for some time. Harrison almost signed with Bellator in 2021 to make the fight, but the PFL matched the offer, as she stayed. Following the PFL’s decision to buy Bellator, there were hopes the fight could happen again. Now, this appears unlikely. Cyborg took to social media, saying she had agreed on all the details of a fight, only for Harrison to pull out.
“I am disappointed to hear that after @PeteMurrayPFL offered me the date and location for a fight against @KaylaH and after we accepted the bout that she has now declined the offer,” Cris Cyborg said
Cyborg’s focus appears elsewhere. She will have her boxing fight this month against Kelsey Wickstrum. There is also the chance Cyborg could face Larissa Pacheco. The latter is on a ten-fight-win streak, which included a win over Harrison.
Leah McCourt is also another possibility. After stopping Sara McMann at Bellator 300, McCourt was in line to fight for the title. The PFL’s acquisition of Bellator disrupted that but the fight could emerge later. Either way, Cyborg has plenty of options.
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