Francis Ngannou is about to get paid.
The former UFC heavyweight champion, who left the promotion to sign with the Professional Fighters League mainly because it allowed him to box and compete in MMA, is set to debut with his new promotion and return from a lucrative two-fight stint in boxing.
Ngannou lost a controversial split decision to Tyson Fury in October 2023 and was knocked out in the second round by Anthony Joshua in March.
According to sources with knowledge of the agreement, Ngannou is set to make ‘over $10 million’ for his PFL debut at Battle of the Giants against dangerous Brazilian Renan Ferreira on Saturday, October 19, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The card is stacked and per the same source, the PFL is set to pay other stars on the card like Cris Cyborg ‘more than $1 million’ and Larissa Pacheco ‘just under a million,’ for their efforts on the historic card that will kick off the PFL’s PPV Superfights model.
Ferreira earned the opportunity to welcome Ngannou to the PFL SmartCage by winning the organization’s 2023 season championship. At 6’8″, the 34-year-old is among the sport’s most imposing and athletic heavyweights.
Renan Ferreira’s Last 5 Fights:
- Win against Ryan Bader by first-round TKO (punches) at PFL vs. Bellator on February 24, 2024.
- Win against Denis Goltsov by unanimous decision at the 2023 PFL Championship on November 24, 2023.
- Win against Maurice Greene by KO/TKO at PFL 8 on August 18, 2023.
- Win against Matheus Scheffel by KO/TKO at PFL 3 on June 16, 2023.
- NC against Rizvan Kuniev by KO/TKO at PFL 5 on April 7, 2023 (Kuniev tested positive for anabolic steroids).
Ferreira is on a tear, seemingly at the top of his game and eager to prove himself. While the fight could end quickly–going either way–this is a scary matchup for Ngannou, who hasn’t competed since being knocked out and tragically losing his son earlier this year.
Ngannou will also have to deal with shaking off any Octagon rust, having not competed in MMA since his last fight in the UFC in January 2022 when he defeated Ciryl Gane to retain his title.
Francis Ngannou’s Last 5 Fights
- Win against Ciryl Gane by unanimous decision at UFC 270 on January 22, 2022.
- Win against Stipe Miocic by KO/TKO (punch) at UFC 260 on March 27, 2021.
- Win against Jairzinho Rozenstruik by KO/TKO (punch) at UFC 249 on May 9, 2020.
- Win against Junior Dos Santos by KO/TKO (punch) at UFC Fight Night on June 29, 2019.
- Win against Cain Velasquez by KO/TKO (punches) at UFC Fight Night on February 17, 2019.
The payday Ngannou is set to enjoy dwarfs anything he earned for a fight while with the UFC, and his earnings are bound to continue to catch the eye of other mixed martial artists who may be approaching free agency.
While a move to the PFL may not be suitable for everyone, it seems it has worked out well for Ngannou financially. If he loses to Ferreira, some will criticize him for jumping ship.
However, at the end of the day, fighters love competing, but they do it to make an excellent living for themselves and their families.
Ngannou has already proven to be a winner in that department.
