Francis Ngannou made the leap most fighters only talk about and he’s still reaping the rewards. From leaving the UFC as heavyweight champion to signing a lucrative deal with Professional Fighters League, to stepping into the boxing ring with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou has turned free agency into a blueprint for success. But according to “The Predator,” it wasn’t glamorous when it started.
Francis Ngannou (18-3) says his journey required something many fighters struggle with: embracing uncertainty. “You just have to be in the position to catch the opportunity when it comes,” Ngannou said.
“If you get stuck in a contract because you’re afraid… then when the opportunity comes, you cannot take it.” It’s a message aimed directly at fighters locked into long-term deals many of whom, Ngannou believes, are hesitant to walk away from security.
Betting on the Unknown
Leaving the UFC meant stepping into a world without guarantees:
- No confirmed fights
- No guaranteed schedule
- No certainty of income
Francis Ngannou returns to MMA on May 16, headlining the first MMA event tied to Netflix from the Intuit Dome. He faces Philipe Lins in what could mark another pivotal moment—not just for his career, but for the sport.
Ngannou believes this kind of opportunity should be available to more fighters. “This could have been an opportunity for so many people… but they are all locked somewhere in contracts,” he said.
Changing the Landscape
Francis Ngannou hopes Netflix’s entry into MMA becomes more than a one-off event. A long-term commitment from a global platform could reshape the sport’s power structure giving fighters more leverage and alternatives outside the UFC. “If fighters see there’s something out there… maybe they will claim their freedom more,” Ngannou said.
Ngannou’s path isn’t easy and he’s the first to admit it. But it’s possible. And if platforms like Netflix continue investing in combat sports, his gamble could become less of a rarity and more of a roadmap. For now, Ngannou stands alone as one of the few fighters to truly bet on himself and win.
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
