Jake Paul welcomes ‘baddest man in the planet’ Francis Ngannou to PFL after MMA star leaves UFC
JAKE PAUL welcomed the “baddest man in the planet” Francis Ngannou to the Professional Fighters League.
Ngannou has signed for the MMA promotion after walking out of the UFC as heavyweight champion following a breakdown in contract talks.
Jake Paul welcomed the ‘baddest man in the planet’ Francis Ngannou to the PFLRichard Pelham / The Sun
@francis_ngannou
Francis Ngannou has signed for the PFL[/caption]
Paul this year signed with the PFL to head up a “super-fight” series on pay-per-view, which also looks set to host his MMA debut.
And the YouTuber-turned prizefighter was quick to welcome Ngannou as the newest addition to the PFL’s roster.
He tweeted: “The baddest man in the planet has officially joined.”
Paul, 26, followed it up by saying: “Francis, welcome to the PFL. Everybody, it is official.
“This is massive, massive, massive, massive news in MMA. We have some huge fights on the horizon.
“Congratulations, Francis, you deserve this. The best heavyweight in the f*****g world to the PFL, and PFL Africa is going to be massive.
“So excited. Let’s go.”
PFL’s format consists of qualification and knockout stages, acting as MMA’s only seasonal league.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
Points are earned according to the method of victory in the opening two bouts, with the top four in each weight progressing to the playoffs.
From there it is win-or-go-home culminating in a semis and finals where a title belt and $1million prize cheque lays in wait.
But the PFL have now launched a breakaway super-fight series, separate from their usual season, where Ngannou, 36, is set to debut in 2024.
He said: “I am very excited for this game changing partnership with the Professional Fighters League to continue my MMA fighting career in the PFL’s PPV Super Fight Division.
“I believe in the PFL’s “fighter first” culture and global vision including developing the sport in Africa.
“With that, I am also proud to announce that I will serve as Chairman of PFL Africa which will be the leading MMA organisation on the continent providing great African fighters the opportunity to compete on a global platform.”
It has also been revealed DAZN is a partner of PFL’s super-fight division and will distribute events on its PPV platform in Europe and internationally with ESPN to carry US rights.
PFL CEO Peter Murray with Francis Ngannou
