Francis Ngannou Responds to Donn Davis’ Comments on PFL Africa Absence

Why Ngannou Didn’t Attend

Ngannou clarified that his absence was due to dissatisfaction with how the debut of PFL Africa was presented. He felt the historic event was not given the spotlight it deserved.

“If you want to know what exactly is the reason why I wasn’t there, I wasn’t very okay with the first PFL Africa event seeming to be like an undercard,” Ngannou explained.

“We work a lot for that… I hoped PFL Africa’s debut would… at least have its glory, its moment. But that wasn’t my decision and I wasn’t down for it. I expressed my feeling to them.”

A Rift Between Star and Promotion?

Ngannou, who signed with the PFL after leaving the UFC in 2023, has been a central figure in the promotion’s efforts to expand globally. His absence from the African launch, however, raised questions about alignment between fighter and promotion.

While Davis publicly voiced his disappointment, Ngannou stressed that his concerns had been communicated directly to PFL leadership before the event. He maintains that the issue was not about commitment, but about ensuring PFL Africa received the respect and stage it warranted.

Looking Ahead

Despite the tension, Ngannou remains the PFL heavyweight champion and one of the league’s most marketable stars. Whether the disagreement signals a deeper rift or a temporary clash in vision will likely become clearer as the promotion continues its international push.