PFL - The Professional Fighters League- published the following statement on its social media today: "The Professional Fighters League had made the decision to part ways with Francis Ngannou," the company stated. "We have great respect for Francis as both an athlete and a person, and we wish him success in the next chapter of his combat sports career. The PFL remains focused on recruiting and signing the best athletes in the sport while continuing to deliver world-class competition for fans around the globe." Ngannou, considered the lineal heavyweight champion in MMA, returned to MMA in 2024 after two huge boxing events in 2023-2024. Though he lost to both Tyson Fury (2023) and Anthony Joshua (2024), Ngannou managed to drop Fury, who at the time was the reigning WBC heavyweight champion. After that, Ngannou was spectacularly knocked out by former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. He then returned to MMA to win the PFL championship when he defeated Renan Ferreira by knockout via ground punches in the first round.