Francis Ngannou Fires Back at PFL Chairman, Explains Why He Skipped PFL Africa Debut

The rift between Francis Ngannou and PFL leadership is becoming harder to ignore. After PFL chairman Donn Davis publicly admitted he was “disappointed” with Ngannou for skipping the organization’s first two PFL Africa events, the former UFC heavyweight champion clapped back with his own explanation — and he didn’t hold back.

Ngannou Responds to Davis’ Criticism

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Ngannou made it clear his absence was intentional and not something to be spun as indifference.

“As far as my reaction, I don’t think it was something he should have [said publicly],” Ngannou said. “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.”

Why Ngannou Refused to Attend

For Ngannou, the problem wasn’t a lack of interest — it was a lack of respect for the project he’s been championing since 2023.

“I wasn’t very okay with the first PFL Africa event seeming to be like an undercard,” Ngannou explained. “We worked a lot for that, for PFL Africa. I hoped the debut would have at least had its glory, its moment, but that wasn’t my decision.”

PFL Africa 1, held July 19 in Cape Town, featured names like Dakota Ditcheva, A.J. McKee, and Johnny Eblen, but was branded under the PFL Road to Dubai Champions Series. The African fighters were largely relegated to the undercard.

The second PFL Africa event on August 9 in Johannesburg featured more action and exciting finishes but again lacked marquee promotion or star power.

Ngannou: “This Needs to Be Done Right”

Despite the criticism, Ngannou insists his commitment to PFL Africa hasn’t wavered. Instead, he’s holding firm that the project deserves to be treated with the respect it was promised.

“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.”

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Ngannou’s frustration is understandable — if you put your name behind a project like PFL Africa, you don’t want to see it treated as a side show. PFL clearly sees Africa as a growth market, but rolling out debut events branded as undercards sends the wrong message. Ngannou is right to demand that these cards feel like main events, not developmental experiments. If PFL wants to succeed globally, it has to make Africa feel like a centerpiece, not a footnote.

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