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Is PFL Promoting Francis Ngannou Wrong?

Originally posted on MMA on SI | By Mathew Riddle | Last updated Oct 10, 2024 1:53 PM ET

The lineal heavyweight UFC champion of the world, Francis Ngannou, is set to make his return to MMA next week, when he headlines the PFL's 'Brace for Impact' event on October 19.

A short stint in boxing saw Ngannou almost dethrone Tyson Fury, before being crumbled by Anthony Joshua. Despite the setbacks, he captured the attention of millions, which should have carried over to his PFL debut.

So why is nobody talking about it?

PFL's CGI-clad trailer for Ngannou's fight saw 'The Predator' bring a city to its knees alongside his adversary, Renan Ferreira, showcasing impressive production quality. However, it has garnered just over 50,000 YouTube views in nine days and seems to be struggling to reach a combined 1 million views across other social media platforms.

Francis Ngannou, Lineal UFC Heavyweight Champion

One critical angle missing from the promotion's forefront is Ngannou's status as the lineal UFC heavyweight champion. Ngannou's heavyweight title can trace its lineage from Ngannou back to Royce Gracie at UFC 1. Since he never lost the belt in the UFC, he carries lineal status to the PFL.

This article first appeared on MMA on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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