Report: UFC Contract Would've Paid Francis Ngannou More Than PFL If He Defeated Jon Jones

 

Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou could've allegedly made more money in the UFC than in the PFL.

Ngannou shook up MMA when he announced on Tuesday that he signed an exclusive multi-fight MMA deal with the PFL. The contract was signed four months after parting ways with the UFC following failed negotiations.

Before parting ways with the UFC, Ngannou was expected to face Jon Jones for his next heavyweight title defense. Talk of a fight between Jones and Ngannou persisted almost immediately after Ngannou first earned the belt at UFC 260.

Ngannou will earn financial and non-financial incentives as a part of his new PFL deal. He'll spearhead the PFL's efforts to expand in Africa and also help with a variety of fighter-related issues.

UFC President Dana White claimed that they offered Ngannou the most lucrative deal for a heavyweight, although Ngannou made it a point to prioritize incentives over a big-money contract.

Francis Ngannou Defeating Jon Jones Would've Exceeded PFL Deal

MMA journalist John S. Nash broke down the terms of Ngannou's new contract and compared it to what he could've signed with the UFC.

Ngannou hasn't fought since defeating Ciryl Gane at UFC 270. Before he makes his PFL debut, likely next year, he'll make his professional boxing debut by the end of 2023.

Ngannou is targeting big names for his first boxing match, including Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. His PFL contract allows him to box without the fear of breaching the deal with the league.

Money was never a focus of Ngannou's free agency ventures, and his new PFL contract shows that remains the case. As he looks ahead to this new chapter of his combat career, the matchups with Jones and other UFC stars are simply 'what-ifs'.