"I don't know how long he wants to fight"- PFL CEO shares honest update on Francis Ngannou’s future with the promotion 

Francis Ngannou’s next move could reshape the PFL heavyweight division. The former UFC heavyweight champion has one fight left on his current PFL deal after his only 2024 appearance, in which he scripted a first-round knockout victory over Renan Ferreira.

PFL CEO John Martin confirmed that Ngannou is expected to return to MMA in early 2026. He claimed that he is in talks with the Cameroonian's team regularly, even as Ngannou has publicly flirted with another run in boxing and hinted at broader ambitions beyond the cage.

Speaking about Ngannou's future in a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Martin said:

“Francis has got one more fight under his contract, and I am looking forward to putting on a really, really special fight for him. You are going to be seeing him fight in 2026, and then we need to talk to Francis about what his future is after that. He is 39 years old. I don't know how long he wants to fight for. I do not know if he has continued ambition in MMA or whether he wants to go back to boxing a little bit.”

He added:

“He has been an incredible ambassador for us in our venture, PFL Africa, where he is dedicated to trying to develop the sport on the continent of Africa. He has been hugely influential there. We appreciate everything and anything that Francis has done for us on that front, and I would like to be in business with him there for the considerable future. It is going to be about continuing to identify and build stars and doing that in a way where we are providing the athletes with tools and capabilities that we have not been able to do in the past, all in the spirit of trying to delight fans.”

Check out John Martin's comments below (17:30):

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Francis Ngannou could explore free agency in 2026

Francis Ngannou has officially confirmed that he will enter free agency in 2026.

The former UFC heavyweight champion says he is in no rush to lock himself into another long-term deal and plans to explore every major opportunity available. Ngannou wants to pursue the long-awaited clash with Jon Jones or a crossover bout with Deontay Wilder.

Speaking in a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, he said:

“My PFL contract is ending soon. I’ll be a free agent for 2026, so anything is possible. A fight with Jon Jones? That’s still on the table. Anything is possible. Wilder remains an option. I’m exploring everything."

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