By Daily Sports Nigeria on December 11, 2025
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou says his contract with the PFL ends "soon" and "everything can happen" in 2026.
Speaking on the Ariel Helwani Show, the Cameroonian suggested potential fights against UFC legend Jon Jones and former boxing world champion Deontay Wilder, and did not rule out re-signing with the PFL.
Ngannou, 39, signed with the PFL in 2023 but has fought only once in the promotion, knocking out Renan Ferreira last year.
"I'm getting very close with the PFL contract, so they have to give me a fight," said Ngannou.
Ngannou did not specify when his PFL contract ends, but confirmed he would be a free agent in time for the UFC event at the White House in Washington DC on 4 July.
Asked about a fight with former champion Jones, Ngannou said: "That could happen. If I were you, I wouldn't be that excited, that fight being so complicated."
Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023, citing disagreements with UFC president Dana White.
While being signed to the PFL, Ngannou has had two boxing bouts, suffering defeats against British heavyweights Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.
Asked if there is a possibility that he could re-sign with the PFL, Ngannou said: "First I need a fight, because I don't want to stay out this long. But if there is a fight, why not?"
If Ngannou leaves the PFL, the likelihood of him signing a deal with the UFC would largely depend on his relationship with White.
Ngannou said he left the promotion for "freedom" rather than money, citing frustrations at being bound by UFC contract rules.
Last month White described Ngannou as a "bad guy",, external citing an alleged confrontation they had after one of Ngannou's UFC fights.
White claimed Ngannou "pushed" him in his office after not being awarded a post-fight bonus, and later grabbed another UFC official by the shirt.
Asked about the allegations, Ngannou said: "Why am I not surprised?
"If Dana says this, then I'm out here to defend myself. Whatever he said, if he's at peace with it, it's OK.
"Maybe I'm getting old. I have less energy for drama. I just want to be at peace and for people to leave me alone."
Source BBC Sports
Posted December 11, 2025
You may also like...
CHAN 2016: We are yet to receive a...
Bolton Players to Boycott Remaining League Games over...
Visa knocks out John Ogu from Corsica, Togo...
Federer To Be Celebrated On Swiss Coins
Semi-Final U-17 Women W/C: Nigeria’s Flamingos Ready For...
Roger Federer withdraws from Rogers Cup!

FIFA Monday meeting to determine Eagles’ World Cup fate
Adesanya keen to prove GOAT status
Davis Cup: Ochei sparks Nigeria’s tennis revival
56 grassroots clubs battle for Taiwo Afolabi Cup
ICYMI: CAF reaffirms Morocco as host of WAFCON 2026, rejects postponement talk
PHOTOS: Kenya’s Ezra Kering wins 2026 Lagos city marathon
Chukwuemka prefers Austria to Nigeria
Enekwechi throws season best, Okezie finishes second in Serbia
Ogazi wins SEC Runner of the Week
Lookman has matched Osimhen’s impact – Peseiro
West Ham plot Chukwueze summer hijack
Tennis: Stakeholders dream big after Davis Cup promotion
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,556 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,863 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,770 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,414 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,329 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,244 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,113 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,664 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,833 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,364 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,755 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,219 views)