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Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou has quietly returned to his native Cameroon to step up efforts to develop MMA in Africa through the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The return marks a major turning point for his project, with the PFL’s African branch scheduled to launch in April 2025.
Ngannou has made his way from Batty, Cameroon to the world’s biggest boxing and MMA arenas, but along the way, he has never forgotten his roots. He regularly returns to Africa to support various initiatives, including the football club and MMA gym he helped create in his homeland. The return in August 2023, while cautious, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen his commitment to the development of MMA in Africa.
Since joining the PFL in May 2023, Ngannou has set himself the goal of proving that success outside of the UFC is possible while contributing to the growth of MMA on the African continent. Unlike the UFC, which has shown little interest in Africa, Ngannou sees in the PFL an opportunity to grow the sport by providing greater visibility and a solid infrastructure.
With the PFL Africa division set to officially launch in 2025, Ngannou and his partners aim to create a league that can bring together the best talent in Africa while providing them with broad distribution through, for example, the agreement signed with SuperSport. This project could transform the mixed martial arts world in Africa and provide a platform for local athletes to make their mark on the international stage.
The growth of MMA in Africa is not without its challenges. Currently, local leagues such as South Africa’s EFC lack the resources to compete with major global organizations. The creation of PFL Africa could fill that gap and provide more opportunities for African fighters without having to overcome common obstacles such as obtaining visas to fight overseas.
For Ngannou, the project is a way to pay homage to his roots while supporting the next generation of African fighters. “Africa is full of talent waiting to be showcased to the world,” he said, stressing the importance of his commitment to the growth of mixed martial arts on the continent. As such, this return to Barty is more than just a visit; it’s a journey. It’s a key step in his vision for MMA in Africa.
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