🗓️ Coming 2025#PFLAfrica
pic.twitter.com/oAWhQpCMwL— PFL (@PFLMMA)
July 10, 2024
The groundwork has been laid for
Professional Fighters League to plant its flag in Africa.
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The organization announced on Wednesday that PFL Africa will debut
in the second quarter of 2025. Former UFC heavyweight champion
Francis
Ngannou, who hails from Cameroon, will serve as chairman for
the league. PFL Africa will follow a format similar to that of
affiliate regional leagues PFL Europe and PFL MENA, with a regular
season and postseason featuring fighters from throughout
Africa.
“I am excited and honored to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, a
league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA,” Ngannou
said in a release. “As we have seen there is a great wealth of
talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage. I am so
very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content
to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”
PFL Africa is backed by an investment from Helios Sports &
Entertainment Group, which notably formed a previous partnership
with the NBA for NBA Africa. The company will hold a stake in the
new promotion.
“African talent has had disproportionate success on the global MMA
stage and MMA currently has a scarcity of events despite
significant demand, creating a huge opportunity for growth as young
Africans consume more digital content on their devices,” said Tope
Lawani, co-founder and managing partner of Helios Investment
Partners. “We are looking forward to partnering with the PFL, a
world class organization, and with Francis
Ngannou, who is a manifestation of the success of African
talent on a global stage.
“…We see several areas of direct synergies between PFL Africa and
HSEG’s existing unique portfolio and we are excited by the
opportunities such collaboration can bring to the continent.”
The future is bright for
#PFLAfricaThe cameras were out as the first press conference was held in
Lagos, Nigeria today! pic.twitter.com/t56ZRENHYi— PFL (@PFLMMA)
July 10, 2024