PFL announces launch of PFL Africa in 2025, Francis Ngannou to serve as Chairman

The Professional Fighters League continues to grow worldwide with their international leagues. On Wednesday, the PFL announced the upcoming launch of PFL Africa, which will be the third International league of its kind under the PFL banner. Currently, the PFL has a Global league, PFL Europe, and PFL MENA which serve to pave the way for fighters to break through and become part of the Global roster.

Included in the groundbreaking announcement is that MMA superstar Francis Ngannou, the former UFC Heavyweight champion, will serve as Chairman for PFL Africa. Ngannou signed with the PFL in 2023 and the role as Chairman was just one of many lucrative features in his exclusive contract.

Here is more information on the launch of PFL Africa per a company press release, which is expected to come in the second quarter of 2025:

“The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league in the world, announced the launch of PFL Africa, which joins PFL Europe and PFL MENA as part of PFL’s network of regional leagues that is becoming the Champions League of MMA. PFL Africa will introduce a thrilling Regular Season, Playoffs and Championship sport-season format featuring top African fighters with all events hosted on the continent.

In a groundbreaking partnership, Helios Sports & Entertainment Group has made an investment and will hold a stake in the promotion, of which MMA superstar Francis Ngannou will serve as Chairman. The newest PFL regional league will launch in the second quarter of 2025 across linear, digital and mobile platforms.

“The Professional Fighters League is excited to announce PFL Africa, the third international fight franchise as we continue on our path to becoming the Champions League of MMA,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “Africa is home to some of the greatest fighters in the world, including our league Chairman Francis Ngannou, and some of the greatest fans in the sport. PFL Africa aims to serve the great fans with premium content while strengthening the PFL global footprint in what has for too long been an underserved market. Alongside our great investment and broadcast partners we cannot wait to kick off PFL Africa league action in 2025.”

“I am excited and honored to serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, a league that will shape the very foundation of African MMA,” said Francis Ngannou, Chairman PFL Africa. “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.”

“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,” commented 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. HSEG is a committed partner of choice for global blue-chip sports and entertainment properties in Africa such as the PFL. This marks our fourth investment following our successful partnership with the NBA in the NBA Africa, our investment in global entertainment company The Malachite Group with a portfolio that includes Afro Nation and Piano People and our investment in Zaria Group, a multi-purpose venue management business. 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.”

With PFL Global, PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and now PFL Africa, there is no denying the worldwide growth of the Professional Fighters League and their focus of finding talent throughout the world.

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