PFL scored a jackpot with Francis Ngannou

[don't ask]

I think it's more complicated. It's about the UFC brand not wanting to devalue itself allowing its fighters to box

One of the big reasons he wanted to leave is because they were jerking him around like they do to all their fighters, which is completely unrelated to boxing.

 

[Po]

And with Francis crossing over to the boxing crowd, they can potentially work with the Saudis to even introduce some way of making hybrid fights - boxing in 4oz gloves, etc., that would allow their roster to fight pro boxers with appropriate rulesets. I heard a couple boxers suggest that would have been a more fair ruleset for Francis's fight with Fury. I wonder what kinds of plans they are plansing over there with unlimited money and execution ability.

Nah. Better to go with the established sports imo. Boxing and mma. No boxing guys want to do hybrid fights.

 

[mudrubble]

Nah. Better to go with the established sports imo. Boxing and mma. No boxing guys want to do hybrid fights.

Def more will do straight boxing but I heard a few boxers surprisingly suggesting that as the best mode for Fury Francis. But def more boxers will sign up for boxing only. I think PFL might be able to pull off both.

 

[Hdfi]

nobody cares about Francis Ngannou vs whoever the PFL champ is

that's simply not true, a lot of people want to watch his next fight. Ngannou is one of the biggest stars in MMA right now.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

Got a link to this? Would be interested to check out the interview.

 

[BearGrounds]

I like what he said about being good to your partners. The Jerry McGuire angle is a nice touch.

Also is sure of a 2024 fight for the PFL.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Killer Kadoogan]

I like what he said about being good to your partners. The Jerry McGuire angle is a nice touch.

Also is sure of a 2024 fight for the PFL.

Thanks for sharing.

no problem dude, i'm a fan of this guy for sure. i felt that the interview was good, he gave no bullshit answers, even said he wanted the jon jones fight, just all of the things i feel a hardcore should say. hopefully the PFL can be a major contender.

 

[mjfan23]

There’s already talk that his PFL debut that was supposed to happen in the summer of 2024 is being pushed back to December 2024.

I’m not sure how everybody forgot that Ngannou is every bit as dishonest as Dana.

But I haven’t forgotten, and I’ll remind you fine folks from time to time.

I agree with your post but lost you at ‘every bit as dishonest as Dana’.

Dana white is a universally accepted subject matter expert on lying. Francis might have potential but Dana’s body of work make Francis look like a bum in the world of lying.

 

[Royce Greasy]

On a side note PFL is an awful organization despite what anyone thinks of Bellator its better than PFL by quite a bit, the only thing they have going for them is Ngannou who probably is only in it to fight boxing and will face whatever unknown guy PFL has at HW just to honor the contract.

 

[Royce Greasy]

Francis should've held off on signing with an MMA promotion until now. His stock is through the roof.

He could've had an even better deal from PFL.

UFC would give him anything right about now.

ONE would be showing a lot more interest.

Some rich person or group might even start a promotion to build around him.

I wouldn't say his stock is through the roof he did in fact take a loss just because people on sherdog think its a win doesn't make it so.

 

[don't ask]

I’m not sure how everybody forgot that Ngannou is every bit as dishonest as Dana.

Now this is just stupid.

 

[killakillakilla]

It will be huge if PFL successfully sets up the Ngannou vs Deontay Wilder HW mma fight, would probably be the biggest mma fight in history. With Ngannou and Jake Paul signed, PFL has a real opportunity to grow. They are making the UFC seem very stale at the moment.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

It will be huge if PFL successfully sets up the Ngannou vs Deontay Wilder HW mma fight, would probably be the biggest mma fight in history. With Ngannou and Jake Paul signed, PFL has a real opportunity to grow. They are making the UFC seem very stale at the moment.

I'm not sure if they could get Wilder in an MMA fight. Ngannou has already shown the ability to take guys down and beat their ass.

I think getting a top ten or recent top ten HW in there is more realistic. They'd have more reason to take the risk and it'd still be a novelty to see a contending heavyweight boxer in MMA.

 

[killakillakilla]

I'm not sure if they could get Wilder in an MMA fight. Ngannou has already shown the ability to take guys down and beat their ass.

I think getting a top ten or recent top ten HW in there is more realistic. They'd have more reason to take the risk and it'd still be a novelty to see a contending heavyweight boxer in MMA.

I think the story is that the potential mma fight between Ngannou and Wilder was Wilders idea and he brought it up with Ngannou first.

 

[skylolow]

WME & Vince possibly now have doubts about Dana's decision making in the UFC since they lost a great opportunity with the bragging rights and publicity the UFC would have had right now touting their real HW champ who knocked down Tyson Fury and almost win the fight

Now also the publicity with the potential Wilder fight is now lost and his Excellency Sheikh Turki Al Sheikh, the new combat sports overlord is with Ngannou & PFL who could have been a very valuable ally for WME is now lost as well

Dana will be questioned about these bag fumbles by Vince and others in the next boardroom meeting that's for sure

I highly doubt it. There was more to the Francis fallout then just going to box. He was asking for things that the UFC will never cross that line with.

Also UFC is in bed with Abu Dubai.

The UFC is now so much larger than any one fighter. WWE is the same thing. They are playing in the billionaires world and making deals worth 100's of millions. They aren't that worried about a guy like Francis at the end of the day. Fans care, they care very little.

Francis is worth far more to a growing company like PFL than the UFC.

P.S.: Don't forget Vince has made plenty of mistakes in his business over the years. Also its easy in hindsight to make that argument. A week ago nobody gave Francis a chance outside of fluke KO at best.

 

[Doctor Grudge]

I think the story is that the potential mma fight between Ngannou and Wilder was Wilders idea and he brought it up with Ngannou first.

He wouldn't be the first boxer to suggest the idea and not go anywhere with it though.

 

[BOXINGLOPEZ]

Just imagine how bad PFL PPV will do …

 

[skylolow]

Just imagine how bad PFL PPV will do …

It will do extremely bad just like last year.

 

[David Street]

Just imagine how bad PFL PPV will do …

Saudi Arabia wants to be the fight capital but their shows there.. come on in the USA in the early afternoon when we are all busy, that is why when Dana claimed not to watch I believed.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Doesn't matter what they said, he'll eventually fight for them soon then people will know who has the biggest star in combat sports. You can't buy that type of publicity if you tried.

The biggest star that sells 100k ppvs? That star?