Francis Ngannou signs for UFC rival and opened up on how much he'll earn

Francis Ngannou has signed for UFC rivals the Professional Fighters League ending his time as a free agent and joining Jake Paul.

Ngannou was UFC heavyweight champion when he decided to step away from the promotion at the beginning of this year, with his contract having expired.

The 36-year-old wanted to be paid more by Dana White's company, a problem that is prevalent within MMA's biggest promotion. He also wanted the chance to have a boxing fight.

With his decision to walk away Ngannou vacated the title that he'd held for nearly two years, with Jon Jones then winning the vacant belt.

Now the Cameroon fighter has confirmed that he has signed with UFC's rivals PFL and has got himself a huge role within the company.

As per the New York Times, it's a multi fight contract which will also allow him to step inside a boxing ring, in what is being called a “strategic partnership."

As well as being a fighter, the new deal will see Ngannou take equity in the company and also a role as chairman of P.F.L. Africa.

The contract sees him join the company's Super Fight Division, which is the same deal that Jake Paul signed to join them and the Problem Child welcomed his fellow colleague to PFL with a message.

In an interview, the former UFC star said, "The past few months have been a very interesting time to understand and see the landscape but I’m very excited about this deal with the P.F.L. because they basically showed what I was expecting.

"They didn’t just show up as a promotion that was looking for a fighter, but really came as a partner that sees more value in you as a person."

On his wages, Ngannou suggested he was now earning more than he had with his former employers, adding, "Let’s just say, all-in my deal with P.F.L. is more than anyone else offered."

The Super Fight Division sees the fighters compete on pay-per-view and be guaranteed a bigger cut of the money brought in on the shows than normal.

His first fight with the promotion is expected for next year allowing him time to fight in a boxing ring this year. He has most heavily been linked with a fight with Tyson Fury.

Paul is expected to fight in PFL at the end of this year or the beginning of next after he has fought former UFC star Nate Diaz in boxing.

The pair could even have a second fight in MMA if the details could be worked out, since Diaz left UFC himself.