Tag: Professional Fighters League

Dana White Takes Responsibility for Removing Francis Ngannou from UFC History

Francis Ngannou Dana WhiteUFC President Dana White takes full responsibility for removing Francis Ngannou from UFC history. The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya was…

Francis Ngannou Dana White

UFC President Dana White takes full responsibility for removing Francis Ngannou from UFC history. The Nigerian-Kiwi Israel Adesanya was not happy to see the removal of the former heavyweight champion.

Francis Ngannou and the UFC

The Cameroonian-born Francis Ngannou has had an incredible life story. He worked in sand mines as a child, traveled across a continent, was arrested, was homeless, then became UFC heavyweight champion and started a foundation in his hometown to support children there. Ngannou walked away from the UFC carrying the lineal heavyweight title and signed with the PFL and competed in blockbuster boxing fights. Now, with the PFL, he is creating a bigger legacy by building MMA in Africa.

The UFC has made videos claiming other fighters are the first Cameroonian athletes in UFC history, completely avoiding Francis Ngannou’s very existence. Adesanya had a complaint about this move and was not happy.

Francis Ngannou claims he was definitely robbed in boxing fight with Tyson Fury

Dana White on Francis Ngannou

The UFC President Dana White has apologized for this in a private message to ‘The Last Stylebender’ Adesanya. In a press conference, White said:

“Someone was editing that and made a conscious decision, thinking that was the right thing to do… I didn’t know about it and that was nothing that ever came across my desk. I’m in charge of everything production-related, so at the end of the day, the fact that it happened falls on me 100 percent. It’s my responsibility and I accept it. Blame me for that. I put them in such a tough spot sometimes saying all this crazy shit, it’s hard for them… Totally on me. I already called Israel Adesanya and apologized for it.”

Francis Ngannou confirms plan for PFL debut fight with Renan Ferreira in October

Jon Jones vs. Francis Ngannou

Jon Jones has been a UFC champion since 2011 and has been talking about a move to heavyweight for quite some time. Ngannou won the heavyweight title in early 2021 and would walk away from the UFC in 2022 with one title defense. Jones held the light heavyweight title during this period but did not take a fight at this time in any weight class. Instead, he waited until 2023 to move to heavyweight.

Interim Champion Tom Aspinall
Interim Champion Tom Aspinall

But, Dana White says the responsibility of that fight falling through lands on Ngannou. Dana White said:

“I have zero animosity towards Francis. Francis was out of my world a long time ago. [Sean Shelby] and Mick [Maynard] are another story. It’s a long story. [Shelby] did everything he could in his power to make Jon Jones vs. Francis. The fight did not happen and let me tell you what, it wasn’t because of Jon Jones.” [Ht MMAFighting]

Jon Jones is looking to book a fight against the aged Stipe Miocic, who has not been active, while declining to fight the interim champion Tom Aspinall. Francis Ngannou will face the knockout machine Renan Ferreira on October 19. The PFL and Ngannou have all recently said that they are willing to book a match against Jon Jones anytime.

Claressa Shields Deserves More Respect: “It’s ridiculous” – Andre Berto

Claressa ShieldsAndre Berto says that Claressa Shields is not getting the credit she deserves for her highly impressive career in…

Claressa Shields

Andre Berto says that Claressa Shields is not getting the credit she deserves for her highly impressive career in boxing. “GWOAT” Claressa Shields represented the USA in the Olympics and has since collected numerous titles across multiple weight classes.

Claressa Shields

The US-born Claressa Shields earned two Olympic Gold Medals as an amateur fighter. Since turning pro, Shields has remained unbeaten in her spotless 15-0 fight career. Along the way, she has earned WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring titles across multiple weight classes. Additionally, she competes in MMA with the PFL. Most recently, “GWOAT” Claressa Shields captured the heavyweight title by way of knockout.

Claressa Shields vs Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse heavyweight

Former Olympian, world champion, and Hall of Fame boxer Andre Berto said that Shields is not getting the respect that she deserves. Speaking in an interview on All The Smoke, he said:

“Somebody like that has been that dominant for so long, two gold medals, multiple world titles, undefeated, just accolades after accolades. I believe that she continues to feel like she has to do more and more and more to continue to try to gain any type of real respect. If it’s boxing, if it’s MMA, if it’s doing rap videos, if it’s YouTube. But she’s trying to deliver you know, to a different type of hype because she feels like she needs to,. But she’s still not getting that type of love, notoriety, or sponsors.

“You got a woman that’s so dominant and has been collecting everything. What else does she need to do to get those real dollars? Those real fight dollars, those real endorsement dollars. Cause, like I said, I see her working overtime. Everybody’s been seeing her working overtime.”

Not only does Claressa Shields not get the respect she deserves, as someone with so many impressive accolades, but she is also actively disrespected, Berto explained. An Olympic medalist and multi-division world champion in boxing, people should be celebrating her as they are witnessing history.

Last year when I spoke to Shields, she broke down exactly where she keeps all of her impressive titles. Because it’s not easy to store so many gold belts and medals.

Berto Continued:

“I know these platforms give people a voice that otherwise wouldn’t have one. And a lot of times people say whatever they want to say, but what is all that? The hate and vitriol that’s coming at Claressa Shields. Where is this coming from? My heart for her, man, is just to rest in her greatness. Resting on what she’s accomplished and finishing her career out strong. Get as many bags as she can. Maintain her integrity in the process and, try to leave this thing undefeated.

“I’m not standing for the blatant disrespect of this young lady from these grown men. It’s ridiculous.“

PFL 8 Results and Highlights: Impa Kasanganay and Brent Primus Advance to Finals

Impa Kasanganay PFL 8PFL 8 saw four semifinal matchups go down, two in each of the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Four…

Impa Kasanganay PFL 8

PFL 8 saw four semifinal matchups go down, two in each of the light heavyweight and lightweight divisions. Four men entered, but only two could reach the final. Now, for light heavyweight and lightweight we have our finalists who will compete for PFL gold, and a million dollars later this year.

PFL 8 2024 Highlights

Impa Kasanganay vs. Josh Silveira

Josh Silveira was looking to avenge his prior loss to the division champion Impa Kasanganay. After a wild matchup, it was a back-and-forth affair with each man taking a round, Kasanganay raised his hand and showed why he deserved to compete for PFL gold.

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Rob Wilkinson

In the finals, Kasanganay will meet Turkmenistan’s Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov for one million dollars. Yagshimuradov defeated Rob Wilkinson with a series of strikes on the feet, and taking the match via unanimous decision.

Gadzi Rabadanov vs. Michael Dufort

The student of Khabib Nurmagomedov, Gadzi Rabadanov continued his win streak at PFL 8 by earning a TKO victory against Canada’s Michael Dufort.

Brent Primus vs. Clay Collard

Former Bellator champion Brent Primus will meet Rabadanov in the lightweight finals as he was able to defeat the top-ranked Clay Collard by unanimous decision.

PFL 8 2024 Results

Impa Kasanganay Def. Josh Silveira Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov Def. Rob Wilkinson Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Gadzi Rabadanov Def. Michael Dufort Via TKO (Punches) — Round 2 – 1:51

Brent Primus Def. Clay Collard Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

Biaggio Ali Walsh Def. Brian Stapleton Via Knockout (Punch) — Round 1 – 0:55

Danny Sabatello Vs. Lazaro Dayron Ends In Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Mads Burnell Def. Elvin Espinoza Via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Thad Jean Def. Chris Brown Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Jordan Oliver Def. Braydon Akeo Via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Michelle Montague Def. Marilia Morais Via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) — Round 1 – 1:44

Francis Ngannou Opens Up About the Grief of Losing His Son Kobe: ‘Feels like you’re missing a part of yourself’

Francis Ngannou GriefCameroon’s Francis Ngannou lost his 15-month-old son Kobe earlier this year. The former UFC heavyweight champion, and current PFL…

Francis Ngannou Grief

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou lost his 15-month-old son Kobe earlier this year. The former UFC heavyweight champion, and current PFL athlete, opened up about the loss and the struggle with the process of grief.

Francis Ngannou Discusses Kobe

Speaking in an interview with The Diary Of A CEO, the 37-year-old Francis Ngannou opened up about the tragic loss of his son Kobe. Now, he feels that nothing matters. He said:

It’s something I never imagined. Suddenly, nothing really matters. You realize that you were complaining a lot instead of feeling blessed and being grateful. You were focused on things that didn’t work, but in reality, everything was actually going well.

On losing a child, Ngannou explains the void he feels. He adds:

I’m alive, surviving, but it’s just not the same. I don’t think things will ever be the same. I can’t explain how, in just 15 months, a child or a person can take up so much space and become such a central part of your life. When they’re gone, it feels like you’re missing a part of yourself. Just 15 months ago, he wasn’t there, and now, he came and went, and it feels like a strange, unsettling void.

francis ngannou son kobe 2133915190

The hardest part is the powerless feeling Ngannou suffered from. The athlete has had an extraordinary life fighting for his family. As a child, he worked in sand mines to provide for his home. Ngannou left his birthplace and crossed Africa. He spent time in a refugee camp and was later imprisoned. Then, after being homeless in Paris, he began training in combat sports which led to a successful career in MMA and Boxing. He continues:

My whole life has been about fighting to prevent my family from going through tough situations, to avoid feeling powerless or useless. But for the one person I should have fought for, I couldn’t even do that. I didn’t get a chance.

Francis Ngannou On Grief

Losing a child is a heartbreaking situation and Francis Ngannou explains that he was never given to tools how to handle these feelings. He added:

Grief is a process I’ve never learned or fully understood. Some days you deal with it, and some days you don’t. There’s no set process for how to go through it. People handle it in different ways, and it’s hard to know how long it takes to grieve or when it will stop.

The Cameroonian athlete Francis Ngannou would ultimately become a UFC heavyweight champion before stepping away from the organization. Today, he works closely with the PFL as the Chairman looking to launch PFL Africa soon. After two blockbuster boxing matches, he will step back into the cage against Renan Ferreira on October 19.

BREAKING: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in…

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in the Professional Fighters League. This fight event will feature the inaugural PFL Superfight Belts.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou will meet the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira later this year in the PFL. Problema’ Ferreira stands at an incredible 6’8″ and is coming off of a quick 22-second knockout of Ryan Bader, the Bellator heavyweight king. Throughout the Brazilian’s career, he has earned the 2023 PFL Heavyweight Championship in addition to the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Super Belt. Incredibly, he has a knockout win rate of eighty-five percent.

The lineal MMA world champion Francis Ngannou will finally make his long-awaited debut in the PFL. The Cameroonian-born athlete holds the lineal titles from the UFC Heavyweight Championship, PRIDE FC, UFC 1, Strikeforce, and plenty more. He is the former UFC heavyweight king who walked away from the organization and now works as a core member of the PFL. Ngannou is the Chairman of PFL Africa and will help launch the organization soon.

Ngannou and Saudi Arabia have become key partners of the PFL. The Cameroonian athlete has boxed world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Renan Ferreira earned his stunning knockout of Bader in the nation’s capital.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira on October 19 will be for the PFL Superfight Belt.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

Also featured at the same event will be Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco. The PFL Superfight Belt will be on the line in this highly anticipated matchup. Brazil’s Larissa Pacheco is a two-time PFL world champion, who has notable wins over fighters such as Kayla Harrison, Julia Budd, and Marina Mokhnatkina, among others.

Having earned titles in Bellator, Strikeforce, and the UFC, Cris Cyborg is a trailblazer in the sport and one of the all-time greats. She will look to earn another title against the Brazilian Larissa Pacheco on October 19.

BREAKING: Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in…

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira in the PFL booked for October 19

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira was just confirmed hours ago. It will be taking place on October 19 in the Professional Fighters League. This fight event will feature the inaugural PFL Superfight Belts.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira

Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou will meet the towering Brazilian Renan Ferreira later this year in the PFL. Problema’ Ferreira stands at an incredible 6’8″ and is coming off of a quick 22-second knockout of Ryan Bader, the Bellator heavyweight king. Throughout the Brazilian’s career, he has earned the 2023 PFL Heavyweight Championship in addition to the PFL Champions vs. Bellator Champions Super Belt. Incredibly, he has a knockout win rate of eighty-five percent.

The lineal MMA world champion Francis Ngannou will finally make his long-awaited debut in the PFL. The Cameroonian-born athlete holds the lineal titles from the UFC Heavyweight Championship, PRIDE FC, UFC 1, Strikeforce, and plenty more. He is the former UFC heavyweight king who walked away from the organization and now works as a core member of the PFL. Ngannou is the Chairman of PFL Africa and will help launch the organization soon.

Ngannou and Saudi Arabia have become key partners of the PFL. The Cameroonian athlete has boxed world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Renan Ferreira earned his stunning knockout of Bader in the nation’s capital.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira on October 19 will be for the PFL Superfight Belt.

Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco

Also featured at the same event will be Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco. The PFL Superfight Belt will be on the line in this highly anticipated matchup. Brazil’s Larissa Pacheco is a two-time PFL world champion, who has notable wins over fighters such as Kayla Harrison, Julia Budd, and Marina Mokhnatkina, among others.

Having earned titles in Bellator, Strikeforce, and the UFC, Cris Cyborg is a trailblazer in the sport and one of the all-time greats. She will look to earn another title against the Brazilian Larissa Pacheco on October 19.