This morning Francis Ngannou's long-awaited decision has been made. We have known for the last few months that Francis would either sign with ONE or the PFL. News broke a few weeks ago that ONE was out and chatter began to spew all over the internet about Ngannou fumbling the bag. Trolls and even some "experts" were seen tweeting about how Ngannou made a huge mistake leaving the UFC to sign with an MMA promotion that would meet his demands. This morning all the haters and doubters have been proved wrong. Francis signed a multi-million dollar contract that includes: two fights, 2 million dollars guaranteed to his opponents, the Chairman of the PFL Africa board, and more. This is groundbreaking for a fighter to receive a deal like this. If I'm the PFL Heavyweight Champion after this season I want Ngannou immediately in one of his PPV mega-fights. I would take a grade nine concussion from Ngannou for two million. Plus you have to look at it like if you beat Ngannou, you are the next big thing. Ngannou's contact isn't only going to benefit him, but his opponents and fighters from the continent of Africa. Francis wants to help his people, even more than just the fighters. Could you imagine Francis on the PFL board, representing PFL Africa, he takes the PFL to Africa before the UFC? Dana White would lose his mind.
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If Ngannou takes the PFL to Africa, then who fumbled the bag? Sounds like Dana White, Hunter Campbell, and the UFC. Sure ONE probably could be thrown in that category as well, but I imagine they wanted more than two fights out of Francis. I can see the PFL getting there soon. I wouldn't be shocked if they made it possible for Francis's debut. I can see a race to Africa beginning for MMA promotions right now. The UFC, the PFL, and I can see Bellator joining the race because they're pretty good about traveling. An active fighter being on the board is wild to imagine though. Ngannou's deal isn't as lucrative but is just as groundbreaking as Michael Jordan's Nike shoe deal. Jordan was the first player to receive royalty payments based on shoe sales. Ngannou is the first active fighter on the board of a promotion. No UFC fighter would ever be granted that opportunity while active, I can't imagine ONE and Bellator would allow that either. The PFL is taking risks, they want the headlines, they want the views. That's why they signed Jake Paul. They just signed pro kickboxer Cedric Doumbe as well. The chances they are taking are slightly risky though. The PFL is a different machine as far as how they operate, they have a regular season, a playoffs, and then a pay-per-view circuit. Ngannou is going to be a part of the PPV circuit.
I'm extremely excited to see what Ngannou and the PFL have in store for us. If Ngannou's first fight in the PFL is against the Heavyweight Champion in Africa, the PFL is making headway at taking some viewership away from the UFC.
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