PFL leader John Martin is preparing for Francis Ngannou to return to action and says a major matchup is already being lined up. Conversation around Ngannou’s contract has been active for weeks and Martin addressed the situation directly during a recent appearance.
He said the heavyweight star still has obligations with the promotion and that fans can expect to see him back in competition soon.
Martin Lays Out His Plans For Ngannou
Martin expressed confidence that Ngannou will appear in the PFL in the near future and explained how the final fight on his current contract fits into the calendar. When speaking on the subject he stated:
“Francis has one more fight on his contract and I am looking forward to putting on a really, really special fight for him. So you are going to see him fighting in 2026.”
He added further thoughts about Ngannou’s age, long term goals and the various directions his career could take.
“Then, we need to talk to Francis about what his future is after that. He is thirty nine years old. I do not know how long he wants to fight for. I do not know if he has continued ambition in MMA or whether he wants to go back to boxing a little bit.”
Martin also highlighted Ngannou’s work outside the cage.
“He has been an incredible ambassador for us in our venture for PFL Africa, where he has developed to help develop the sport in the continent of Africa. He has been hugely influential there. So we appreciate anything and everything Francis has done for us on that front. I would like to be in business with him there for the considerable future.”
Martin finished the topic by explaining how the PFL wants to continue growing its roster.
“Look, it is going to be about continuing to identify and build stars and do that in a way where we are providing the athletes with tools and capabilities that we have not been able to do in the past, all in the spirit of just trying to delight fans.”
Ngannou’s Past With The UFC And His Move To The PFL
Francis Ngannou left the UFC after a prolonged contract standoff that created tension between him and UFC leader Dana White. The split was very public and the heavyweight title was left behind when Ngannou walked away.
After joining the PFL, he was given the freedom to box. He faced Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, coming up short in both contests but gaining massive attention. In the PFL cage, he recorded a quick victory over Renan Ferreira, which served as his official debut for the promotion.
The positive energy did not last long. Public comments from both Ngannou and PFL founder Donn Davis suggested disagreements regarding communication and expectations. Despite that, Martin took time to note that the situation is calm today.
Martin Says The Relationship Is Back On Track
Martin addressed the story of a disagreement between Ngannou and Davis and dismissed the idea that any real tension remains.
“I think Donn and Francis are fine now,” Martin said. He continued:
“That dustup that occurred, that was immediately before I got here. Francis attended and sat next to me for a time at the Dubai event. I have spoken to him after that. I think everything is fine. I do not even remember what happened or what the dustup was. This is the fight game. This stuff happens.” via MMAJunkie
Ngannou has not stepped into any form of combat since the Ferreira fight. He has recently shown curiosity about a possible UFC return, but Dana White dismissed the idea publicly.
As for who his last PFL opponent will be and where that fight may happen, those answers remain unknown. For now, the only certainty is that the promotion expects him to appear in their cage sometime in 2026.
