The PFL and Francis Ngannou have officially parted ways, ending a partnership that began in 2023. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who signed a unique deal allowing him to box professionally and serve as chairman of PFL Africa, fought only once for the organization. The split was announced via social media Friday without immediate comment from Ngannou.

Ngannou's signing with the PFL came after failed negotiations with the UFC, where CEO Dana White claimed he turned down a deal that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history. The 39-year-old Cameroonian-born fighter went on to box professionally twice, facing world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in lucrative 2023 and 2024 matches.

The split concludes with Ngannou's October 2024 victory over Renan Fereira in Saudi Arabia, where he dedicated the first-round TKO win to his late infant son, Kobe. The announcement follows major executive changes at PFL, including the departures of longtime chairman Donn Davis and CEO Peter Murray, who were primarily responsible for Ngannou's original signing.