Professional Fighters League (PFL) Super Fights Heavyweight World Champion Francis Ngannou and PFL chairman Donn Davis are not exactly seeing eye-to-eye these days.
That’s because Davis admitted he was
“disappointed” that Ngannou skipped the organization’s first two PFL Africa cards, noting that the pair had worked together for two years to make the project a reality.
Well, the former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight champion-turned-PFL Africa chairman fired back with his own explanation, making it clear his absence was intentional.
“As far as my reaction, I don’t think it was something he should have [said publicly],” Ngannou told Ariel Helwani. “At least if it was me, I wouldn’t keep it out there. Now it gets in the position that we have to bring up context, like why didn’t I come there. He didn’t know why I didn’t come. I’ve been waiting for this for two years, and this was the big part of it. So, when you’re still working on something, unless you think it’s off, it’s not a thing that you bring outside. I wasn’t okay with something, but I wasn’t the one who was going to take it out.”
Ngannou went on to explain the core issue.
“For example, if you want to know what exactly is the reason I wasn’t there, I wasn’t very okay with the first PFL Africa event seeming to be like an undercard,” Ngannou added. “Quoting him, we worked a lot for that, for PFL Africa. I hoped the PFL Africa debut would have at least had its glory, its moment, but that wasn’t my decision.”
PFL Africa 1: Cape Town was held July 19, 2025, in South Africa and featured several of the league’s biggest names—Dakota Ditcheva, A.J. McKee, and Johnny Eblen—on the main card. However, the event was branded as PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series, while the PFL Africa portion was relegated to the undercard and largely overlooked.
The second PFL Africa event, held Aug. 9 in Johannesburg, produced plenty of finishes and excitement (watch highlights), but lacked promotion and featured no marquee PFL names.
While Ngannou praised the in-cage action, he doubled down on his stance.
“PFL Africa is something that is made to be run forever,” Ngannou said. “So, as we take the time it takes to set things up right, then the company will run properly. I don’t have any problem with going, as long as we get things right and feel comfortable. Because I’m going there, stepping forward, putting myself in line as a guarantee.”
“So, at least I’m going to make sure I stand by what I’m saying,” Ngannou concluded.
There’s no word yet on when the next PFL Africa card will take place—but if history is any indication, expect another Davis rant on LinkedIn before long.
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