‘Francis Ngannou Fleeced Them’: PFL Halves $1 Million Prize Money, Fans Question Sustainability

The PFL has long been celebrated for its unique season tournament format, where division champions pocket a cool $1 million. But from the next season in April, this prize money will be slashed in half. This cut has left fans speculating, with many blaming the promotion’s high-profile signing of Francis Ngannou as the reason for it.

The PFL had handed a massive contract to the former UFC heavyweight champion while signing him on. Fans are now trolling that Ngannou “fleeced” the PFL while questioning the feasibility of the promotion’s ambitious expansion plans.

While the absolutes are not known, Ngannou’s contract reportedly included a signing bonus of $2 million, equity in the promotion, as well as a board role. The champ will also get a heavy payday each time he fights. For his PFL debut against Renan Ferreira in October 2024, he reportedly earned over $10 million, including gate bonuses and a slice of the pay-per-view revenue. His opponents are also guaranteed a $2 million payday.

The contract’s scale has been highlighted by fans while talking about what seems like a financial crunch in the PFL. “Francis took 10 years’ worth of winnings in his contract,” commented one fan.

Another one claimed Ngannou has taken the lion’s share of PFL’s prize purse with the money: “Francis fleeced them fr”.

One fan pointed at PFL’s limited viewership while justifying the cut in prize money: “I mean no one really watches the PFL so makes sense”. Another fan made a doomsday prediction: “And so it begins. What are we thinking here, fold in spring of 2026? Sooner? Get bought out?”

The PFL had made ambitious expansion plans by merging with Bellator and retaining its top talent. However, they failed to provide fights for some of its champions in 2024, leading to criticism and backlash from fans as well as the fighters.

Bellator featherweight champ Patricio Pitbull even accused PFL owner Donn Davis of breaching his contract and demanded a release. Former UFC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg also expressed her frustration, claiming the PFL hasn’t provided her with opportunities since the merger.

After the Bellator acquisition, the PFL seemed it was ready to take on the UFC. But these issues have dented its reputation. So, PFL’s tournament, which should have been a highlight of the season, has now been overshadowed by concerns expressed by its star fighters. 

It would not be too much of a stretch to say that UFC President Dana White would be happy to see his words about the PFL coming true to an extent. White, in fact, has time and again taken shots at the promotion.

When White compared PFL to PowerSlap promotion

During a town hall last year, Davis suggested that the PFL’s Battle of the Giants event, headlined by Francis Ngannou, had outperformed every UFC event in viewership. White was quick to dismiss the statement.

Dana countered by saying the PFL’s scale was not even comparable to PowerSlap, forget the UFC. White presented metrics that showed his new slap-fighting promotion’s dominance in social media reach, engagement, and video views while substantiating his argument.

He joked that Davis’ comments reminded him of politicians who talk a lot without substance. White then took aim at the rival promotion’s business model, expressing skepticism about Davis’ leadership.

“I would hate to be one of that guy’s [Davis’] investors,” said White.

When asked about Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov’s future aspirations, White confidently stated that most PFL fighters dream of joining the UFC eventually. Barring Ngannou, of course.