The Professional Fighters League has big plans for 2025, with a restructured season, more international leagues on the way, and a host of big events on the horizon.
But perhaps the biggest question the PFL bosses are asked concern the fighting future of the biggest name on their roster, newly-crowned PFL heavyweight superfights champion, Francis Ngannou.
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The Cameroonian knockout artist made his PFL debut last October and captured the inaugural heavyweight superfights title with a first-round knockout of 2023 PFL heavyweight season winner Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
But the former UFC heavyweight champion has also established himself as a big draw in the world of professional boxing, having faced both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in huge bouts inside the squared circle.
Chatting to TalkSport from the Coca-Cola Arena during the PFL Road To Dubai Champions Series event, PFL co-founder Donn Davis gave his latest update on Ngannou's career, and outlined how he anticipated "The Predator's" year will play out.
"With Francis, we're true partners. We work with him on what's the best thing for the year," Davis said.
"It's one MMA and one boxing. What order, what opponent, to maximize Francis' career that year. So we're still in discussions with him, but it will be one boxing and one MMA."
Ngannou's boxing career started in remarkable fashion when he took on former heavyweight champion of the world Fury in October 2023. Billed "The Battle of the Baddest," Ngannou almost caused a sensation when he dropped Fury in the third round of their bout in Riyadh.
The bout went all the way to the scorecards, with Fury claiming the split-decision victory after a fight many observers felt Ngannou had done enough to win.
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Ngannou went on to face another former heavyweight champion when he took on Joshua in Riyadh last March. On that occasion, a noticeably more sluggish Ngannou was brutally knocked out in the second round.
Despite that defeat, options are still available for Ngannou to compete in big boxing fights, and PFL boss Davis thinks that the most likely scenario will see his heavyweight champion return to the squared circle first, then return to the PFL SmartCage later in the year.
"If you asked me, my guess is, it's Francis' decision, (but) I think boxing will come first. MMA will come second," he suggested.
"His opportunities in boxing right now (are) through the roof. That would be my guess."
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