Ngannou’s no-shows at PFL Africa events leave fans and officials disappointed

African MMA fans were left outraged and puzzled by the absence of heavyweight superstar Francis Ngannou at both recent PFL Africa events in South Africa.

The PFL announced the launch of PFL Africa last year as part of its global expansion plan, generating huge excitement within the continent’s combat sport communities. The promotion is ranked among the top two MMA organisations in the world, and Ngannou — a former UFC heavyweight champion — was confirmed as an equity owner and chairman of the African branch.

PFL Africa aims to showcase the continent’s top talent, with champions earning a pathway to the PFL Global season. The project was inspired in part by Ngannou’s own extraordinary journey, which saw him endure hardship and danger while travelling across Africa and Europe before finding success in professional MMA.

Following the inaugural PFL Africa event in Cape Town, PFL founder Donn Davis addressed Ngannou’s absence when questioned by Independent Media.

“You’ll have to ask Francis that,” Davis said.

“I am disappointed that he is not here; this was part of his vision, and we are here because of him. I expected him to be here. PFL Africa is here so that all those fighters out there don’t have to leave the continent like he did.

“We worked for two years on this together, for this moment tonight, to help realise this vision. I would have loved him to be here… I am disappointed that he is not here,” Davis added.

The Cape Town show featured bantamweights and heavyweights competing for a place in the PFL Africa 2025 tournament finals later this year.

This past weekend, at the Big Top Arena in Carnival City, featherweights and welterweights took centre stage in front of a sold-out crowd. Stars such as Nigeria’s Patrick Ocheme and Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança impressed, but fans were again left disappointed by Ngannou’s absence.

Ngannou signed a two-fight deal with the PFL after leaving the UFC, committing to MMA bouts exclusively in the PFL’s PPV Super Fight Division alongside fellow stars Jake Paul and Kayla Harrison. He made his debut in the division last year, stopping Brazil’s Renan Ferreira in Saudi Arabia.

His contract also allows him to compete in other combat sports. Ngannou has previously boxed against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua and is reportedly pursuing further big-money bouts.

Boxing promoter and Saudi General Entertainment Authority chief Turki Alalshikh is exploring match-ups for Ngannou, including a possible clash with Deontay Wilder and even a bout with recently retired UFC legend Jon Jones.

Independent Media has reached out to Ngannou for comment, but the Cameroonian fighter has yet to respond. He recently posted images of himself doing boxing drills with coach Dewey Cooper, further fuelling speculation about his next move.