Ngannou's PFL Contract Expires in 2026 Amid UFC Feud

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, revealed that his contract with the Professional Fighters League is set to expire in 2026, potentially making him a free agent amid ongoing tensions with UFC President Dana White. The 37-year-old Cameroonian fighter, who left the UFC in early 2023 after a contractual dispute, addressed recent accusations from White during an interview on the Ariel Helwani Show, expressing frustration but declining to confirm or deny the claims.

Ngannou's departure from the UFC stemmed from disagreements over his contract and fighter rights, leading him to vacate the heavyweight title and sign with the PFL. Since joining the promotion, he has competed just once in mixed martial arts, securing a first-round knockout victory over Renan Ferreira in October 2024. In the interim, Ngannou pursued boxing, facing off against heavyweight titans Tyson Fury in 2023, where he dropped the Briton but lost a controversial split decision, and Anthony Joshua in 2024, suffering a second-round knockout defeat. These bouts highlighted his crossover appeal but also underscored challenges in securing consistent MMA matchups under his current deal.