Tag: pfl

Anthony Joshua unmoved by ‘Gimmick’ fight with recent PFL signing Francis Ngannou: ‘It is dangerous’

Anthony Joshua unmoved by gimmick fight with PFL signing Francis Ngannou dangerousMatchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn has claimed that while former boxing world champion, Anthony Joshua is receptive to the idea of a future fight with former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, he claims the former is currently unmoved by the matchup – one which he describes as “gimmicky”  Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under […]

Anthony Joshua unmoved by gimmick fight with PFL signing Francis Ngannou dangerous

Matchroom Boxing promoter, Eddie Hearn has claimed that while former boxing world champion, Anthony Joshua is receptive to the idea of a future fight with former UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou, he claims the former is currently unmoved by the matchup – one which he describes as “gimmicky” 

Ngannou, a former undisputed heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, made big splashes this week as the confirmation of his signature with the PFL (Professional Fighters League) was announced officially – ahead of a return to professional mixed martial arts sometime next year.

Agreeing terms with the Peter Murray-led organization, Ngannou, who is expected to fight in professional boxing first this year before his comeback to active competition in mixed martial arts, revealed that he believed cross-over fights with former WBC heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, and current gold holder, Tyson Fury were the two most likely debut opponents for him.

Anthony Joshua remains unfocused on potential Francis Ngannou clash

Linked with a bout against former Olympian, Joshua – who recently rebounded to winning-ways in a victory over Jermaine Franklin, Ngannou’s quest for a boxing debut may not come immediately through the Watford native, however.

“I think the Francis Ngannou fight happens in the Middle East,” Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn told The Mac Life. “It’s a kind of – not freak shot, because Francis can box as well, but the big money comes there from the Middle East. And in August, it’s not really the time to do it [because of weather-], mainly.” 

“I spoke to A.J. (Anthony Joshua) about the fight [with Francis Ngannou],” Eddie Hearn explained. “He likes it and he gets it, but he’s very focused on his boxing career at the moment. And he doesn’t want to derail that to do something a little bit gimmicky. Even thought it is dangerous, he wants to prepare for Deontay Wilder, and I think he doesn’t feel that Ngannou would prepare him for Deontay Wilder.” (Transcribed by MMA Mania)

Francis Ngannou admits he will always regret not fighting Jon Jones in wake of PFL move

Francis NgannouFrancis Ngannou will always regret not stepping inside the Octagon with current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones. After months of speculation and negotiations, Ngannou revealed on Tuesday that he had signed on the dotted line with the Professional Fighters League in a groundbreaking deal that will see him act as the chairman for the promotion’s […]

Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou will always regret not stepping inside the Octagon with current UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.

After months of speculation and negotiations, Ngannou revealed on Tuesday that he had signed on the dotted line with the Professional Fighters League in a groundbreaking deal that will see him act as the chairman for the promotion’s PFL Africa expansion. In addition to a truckload of money, ‘The Predator’ will also be part of the PFL’s Fighter Advisory Board. Despite everything he’s earned, Ngannou still has one lingering regret.

Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones were thought to be one of the biggest potential fights in mixed martial arts history. The UFC worked tirelessly for more than a year to make the matchup happen, but it sadly never came to fruition. With Francis Ngannou now firmly parked across the street, it appears as though the dream match may never take place.

“I will always have a regret of not fighting Jon Jones,” Ngannou said on ESPN’s DC & RC. “I think you know, being in the sport, being in this position, what you want to do is to test yourself against somebody like Jon Jones, who stands as a GOAT of the sport.”

Francis Ngannou Hopeful That He Can Still One Day Face Jon Jones

Francis Ngannou is not giving up hope, suggesting that the bout may be able to happen as part of a cross-promotional event between the PFL and the UFC, though we wouldn’t suggest getting your hopes up.

“Still this day, I’m like, if ever there’s an opportunity to fight Jon Jones, we will do it,” Ngannou continued. “But I don’t know how. Maybe a cross-promotion? I don’t know. But Jon Jones is somebody that anyone that’s looking to make a legacy in this sport would like to fight.

“It’s like back in the day, everybody has to fight – when you’re the guy, it’s good to fight Fedor because he was out there doing his thing, and he was the guy and you couldn’t argue that. I think it’s the same thing right now. And I think it goes both ways, even for Jon Jones. Even for Jon Jones, this was a good fight to make a statement” (h/t MMA Junkie).

The Predator’ confirmed that his first appearance inside the Smart Cage won’t occur until 2024, but he aims to make his professional boxing debut in 2023 with names like Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder still in the mix.

On the other side of the street, Jon Jones will gear up for a clash with general consensus heavyweight GOAT Stipe Miocic later this year. The duo initially set their sights on a showdown as part of the promotion’s International Fight Week in July, but recent reports suggest a November meeting at the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, is the goal.

Jake Paul offers solution to proposed Francis Ngannou, Jon Jones fight, suggests cross promoted event on ESPN

jake paulJake Paul offers optimistic resolution to the current Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones situation. Yesterday, it was revealed that that Ngannou had signed a monumental deal with the PFL after leaving the UFC earlier this year. While many took the opportunity to congratulate ‘The Predator’ for the achievement once proposed foe, Jones, certainly did not. The […]

jake paul

Jake Paul offers optimistic resolution to the current Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones situation.

Yesterday, it was revealed that that Ngannou had signed a monumental deal with the PFL after leaving the UFC earlier this year. While many took the opportunity to congratulate ‘The Predator’ for the achievement once proposed foe, Jones, certainly did not.

The two had been tipped to face one another, the fight ultimately fell through but that hasn’t stopped them from going back and forth.

‘Calling yourself the baddest man on the planet from across the street, who does that? Lol’- Jones Tweeted following the news.

‘Then cross the street’- Ngannou replied.

Jake Paul proposes a solution

Paul also announced that he had signed a deal with PFL earlier this year, and of course chimed in with his own idea.

‘Or let’s have PFL and UFC work together and put on a massive event on ESPN. Ngannou vs Jones, Nunes vs Harrison, Edwards vs Doumbe & of course Diaz vs Paul after I knock his ass out in boxing. Francis, Kayla, Cedric you in?‘- Jake Paul

While Paul’s idea is a nice one, it is about as unrealistic as it gets. Cross promotion in MMA is rare, and when it comes to the biggest competitors in the space – unheard of. Paul may think his handful of fights as a glorified white collar boxer may be enough for him to be a combat sports strategist and matchmaker but, anyone who has the any clue would know that this ‘event’ would never happen.

Still though, PFL are making significant effort in levelling the playing field with the UFC, who have dominated the sport for some time now. Hopefully all these moves, singing and expansion lead to a better product for the fans.

Do you like Jake Pauls idea?

Francis Ngannou hits out at Chatri Sityodtong amid PFL move: ‘I think he was just performing’

Francis Ngannou hits out at ONE Championship Chatri was just performingOff the back of his monumental signature to the PFL (Professional Fighters League), former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed he felt pressured by ONE Championship CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, in his bid to attempt to lure his signing. Ngannou, a former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, was officially announced as the newest acquisition of […]

Francis Ngannou hits out at ONE Championship Chatri was just performing

Off the back of his monumental signature to the PFL (Professional Fighters League), former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, Francis Ngannou has revealed he felt pressured by ONE Championship CEO, Chatri Sityodtong, in his bid to attempt to lure his signing.

Ngannou, a former undisputed UFC heavyweight champion, was officially announced as the newest acquisition of the PFL yesterday, with the Batié native striking a ground-breaking deal with the Peter Murray-led promotion.

Expected to make his return to mixed martial arts competition next year in a planned PFL debut, Francis Ngannou, who has been granted the freely competed in boxing under his new contract – is earmarked to make his debut in the squared circle later this year.

Francis Ngannou reveals details of his failed talks with ONE Championship

Holding talks with ONE Championship CEO, Sityodtong ahead of the confirmation of his move to the PFL, Ngannou was touted as rejecting a guaranteed $20,000,000 payday from the promotion, before he then claimed that promoters were “two-faced”.

Revealing details of his sitdown with Sityodtong in Los Angeles, Ngannou claimed he felt pressured by the promotional leader.

“I think Chatri (Sityodtong) was just performing,” Francis Ngannou told Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour. “I told him and Matt Hume that I got the best offer from PFl and I don’t think, I’m not going to do any negotiation with you guys. That was like back, six weeks before that. And he was like, ‘Oh, I can fly you to Singapore. I can fly to Camerron. I got this.’ He was all in. I was like, this is too much. I don’t know how to handle this.”

“How are you going to fly to Cameroon? What for? I just told the guy the situation and then he kept pushing. Then I sent it to my team. ‘I can’t handle this pressure from Chatri.’ Then he kept pushing, kept pushing. …So I have to seee, for respect. We had a talk, I respect the guy, Matter of fact, I love Chatri. Now I even question if that story is true. But I used to love that story.”