The UFC’s presence in MMA is indelible. It’s impossible to discuss the sport without talking about the world’s most successful promotion. However, the best MMA sites are showing that fighter pay and the way the UFC does business have been rubbing off poorly on other fighters.

Ngannou made a point to stand up for himself during his last contract negotiation. He was pushing for more money, health care for other fighters, advocates to be available to fighters during contract negotiations and the ability to have visible sponsors branding during fights.

When the UFC declined to agree to any of the terms, Ngannou chose to walk in free agency in January 2023. Things got nasty between Ngannou and UFC CEO Dana White. White was adamant that Ngannou, who was the UFC’s reigning heavyweight champion at the time, wouldn’t get any more money anywhere else.

Ngannou chose to bet on himself. The UFC wanted to set Ngannou up with a superfight with Jon Jones for the heavyweight title. However, neither side would be able to come up with the money or other terms to satisfy both.

Ngannou Fought Off Tremendous Adversity

Ngannou didn’t have things easy growing up. He grew up in tough circumstances in Cameroon before traveling to France and winding up homeless. Ngannou ended up landing with a boxing coach who helped get him started in combat sports.

Eventually, Ngannou transitioned to MMA in France. He started fighting on the regional scene and put together a 5-1 record before he signed with the UFC. Ngannou won five straight fights before earning a championship fight against Stipe Miocic. He ended up losing a decision and lost his next fight against Derrick Lewis.

Ngannou regathered himself quickly and put together a wild knockout string. He knocked out Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos and Jairzinho Rozenstruik before getting another shot at Miocic. Ngannou won the rematch by second-round KO to win the title at UFC 260.

Ngannou had his last fight in UFC 270 when he beat Ciryl Gane via decision at UFC 270. All of the contract battles followed soon after the Gane fight. MMA latest updates show that Ngannou wanted to push to try and improve things for fighters in the UFC.

While the promotion would claim that Ngannou was naive and was being taken advantage of, the Cameroon native pushed back against all of the negative press.

PFL Signs Ngannou

Ngannou, 37, wasn’t a free agent for long. Less than two months later, Ngannou agreed to fight for the PFL. In the United States, the PFL, which was previously the World Series of Fighting, was looking to present itself as an alternative to the UFC. The PFL has a “season” format that features a regular season and postseason like other American sports.

The PFL had a heavyweight division but didn’t have a major star leading it. Ngannou filled that role. He was also given the opportunity to pursue boxing if he so chose. Getting the freedom to do multiple jobs was a big part of the deal for Ngannou.

Boxing Suits Ngannou Just Fine

It’s still hard to believe that Ngannou knocked Tyson Fury to the canvas. While Ngannou ultimately lost a split decision, Ngannou didn’t look out of place. Repeating that type of performance against Joshua would open some eyes.

Crossover fights in many other combat sports had typically gone poorly for anyone leaving the sport they were more comfortable with. James Toney was dominated by Randy Couture in the first round of a UFC fight, CM Punk was embarrassed in two losses in MMA while trying to transition from professional wrestling, and Conor McGregor wasn’t a serious threat to Floyd Mayweather Jr. during their boxing match with each other.

Ngannou beat Fury, who is a 6-foot-9 specimen and is 34-0-1 in the ring.

PFL-Bellator Merger Provides Deeper Pool of Fighters

The PFL adding Bellator provided a deeper bench for the promotion. When Bader and Ferreira meet at the PFL vs Bellator card, the result should provide Ngannou with an interesting matchup either way. Bader was originally a UFC fighter who found success in Bellator.

Bader became a two-division champion in Bellator, winning the light heavyweight and heavyweight crowns. Bader was still the heavyweight champion when Bellator closed. Ferreira won the last PFL heavyweight tournament.

Ferreira is another tall, powerful striker who could provide problems for Ngannou. It is exciting to see Ngannou get booked for another fight. MMA news websites were starting to wonder what the PFL’s plans for Ngannou would be.

By Dean McHugh.