Latest news with #FrancisNgannou
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New Details Emerge in Fatal Crash Involving Francis Ngannou: Report
Francis Ngannou made headlines over Easter weekend following reports of his involvement in a fatal motorcycle accident in Cameroon. The incident was widely covered across media outlets and stirred intense speculation online. In response, TMZ Sports obtained a statement from the MMA superstar, who said, 'From the very beginning, I have been by the family's side, offering support, comfort, and deepest condolences during this time. I carry their pain with me, and my unwavering thoughts and support remain with them as they face this heartbreaking loss. I've met with them privately to share in their grief, and I will continue to stand with them every step of the way.' This morning, French combat sports media outlet La Sueur—a well-followed Instagram account known for its consistent MMA and boxing coverage—shared an update based on an official release from the Yaoundé High Court. The release shifted focus from the accident itself to potential medical malpractice. It read, 'A serious medical error was made while taking care of Ms Tsama Manuella in hospital, including an overdose of anesthesia, which directly contributed to her death. We ask that all light be shed on the responsibility of the hospital establishment and the nursing staff.' La Sueur (@lasueur on Instagram) has become a notable source for French-speaking MMA fans, often breaking exclusive news, conducting fighter interviews, and sharing behind-the-scenes content from UFC and other global promotions. Their platform regularly covers high-profile stories with in-depth regional insight. Francis NgannouGetty Images As of now, there are no confirmed updates regarding Ngannou's fighting future. He has yet to book another bout following his PFL debut, and the focus remains firmly on the legal and ethical proceedings tied to the tragedy in Cameroon. His next move inside the cage remains unknown, and it's unclear how this ongoing situation might impact his standing with PFL or any potential future crossover opportunities. For now, the former UFC champion remains under scrutiny as more details unfold. Advertisement Related: Major Shakeup Hits Ilia Topuria's Camp Ahead of UFC 317 Related: Claressa Shields Sends Blunt Message on MMA Future: 'I Almost Got My Arm Broken Twice'
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
How Tyson Fury's popular Netflix reality show can be unlikely key to finally securing Anthony Joshua fight
TYSON FURY'S popular Netflix reality show could be the unlikely key to securing a fight with Anthony Joshua. The father-of-seven and childhood sweetheart wife Paris starred in a nine-part fly-on-the-wall series called At Home with the Furys. 4 4 It culminated in Fury's December 2022 victory over Derek Chisora - but much has happened since then. Fury faced ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou in October 2023 - surviving a knockdown to win a controversial split-decision. He then twice lost to Oleksandr Usyk on points before announcing his retirement in January, a month after defeat in the rematch. Fury was spotted filming with Netflix in March, meaning the next series could document his two losses to Usyk and subsequent retirement. The Gypsy King also looks set to walk away from a huge Battle of Britain bout against Joshua. But, Fury has started to tease a comeback with glimpses of his return to training while the success of his series could factor into his decision to fight again. Netflix bosses will be keen to centre a series around Fury's preparation for what would be the nation's biggest-ever fight. And with the streaming service now in the boxing business - they could even make a play to broadcast the mega-bout. 4 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul had 100 MILLION watch his fight in November with Mike Tyson - who controversially made a return aged 58. The stream crashed amid the demand and Netflix also home to Katie Taylor's July 11 trilogy against Amanda Serrano. Eddie Hearn teases Anthony Joshua vs Tyson Fury in 2025?! + Allen KOs Fisher | Split Decision | Sun Sport Joshua, 35, and Fury, 36, are both exclusive to DAZN per the deals their promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren signed. But DAZN gave permission for Irish star Taylor, 38, to rematch and beat Serrano, 36, on Paul's undercard. It would take quite some convincing for DAZN to allow a similar pass for AJ and Fury but the streaming giants are making an aggressive push in live sports. They have exclusive UK rights to the WWE and Monday Night Raw in America while also pushing to take over UFC coverage from ESPN. In March, Chris Mannix reported that Netflix were "aggressively" targeting the rights for Joshua vs Fury. Another was Canelo Alvarez's September undisputed fight against unbeaten American Terence Crawford. Netflix were on board for the super-fight, planned for the Las Vegas Raiders' 65,000-seat, £1.5BILLION stadium with UFC boss Dana Whiyte to promote. But Saudi boxing supremo Turki Alalshikh has since revealed the fight is set for September 13 - the date of UFC 320. And Alalshikh said it will be on pay-per-view with Riyadh Season - who have an exclusive deal with DAZN. It suggests White and Netflix are now out of the fight. 4
IOL News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PFL Africa moves debut event to July 19; tickets on sale this Thursday
Former UFC Heavyweight and current global combat superstar, Cameroon's Francis Ngannou, is the acting chairman of PFL Africa and will also play a pivotal ambassadorial role in further growing the Professional Fighters League on the Motherland and finding and developing the next generation of African champions. | Professional Fighters League PFL Africa's first event has officially been brought forward by one week, with tickets set to go on sale this Thursday, 22 May. Originally scheduled for 26 July, the event will now take place on 19 July at the Grand Arena in GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World, located in Goodwood, Cape Town. In an exclusive interview with Independent Media and MzansiMMA, PFL Africa's General Manager, Elias Schulze, confirmed that South African ticketing platform TicketPro will be the official distributor for the event. 'We like TicketPro's approach, we like their reach, and we believe that they will offer us a viable way to access the right market. We want people to have this access across whatever mechanisms—if it's purely mobile, that's fine. If they need to purchase tickets at selected stores offering the service, such as PostNet or Spar, that's also fine. Let's go where the people are,' said Schulze. Tickets will go on sale at 10:00 am SAST. The arrival of PFL is set to be a major boost for African MMA, as the global mixed martial arts promotion continues to grow in popularity, rivalling even the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The Grand Arena will make history as the first venue in Africa to host a major international MMA event. The night will feature 18 top African athletes entering the SmartCage as they begin their journey to claim the PFL Africa title in a knockout tournament. Headlining PFL Africa's inaugural event will be South Africa's Nkosi Ndebele (8-3), who faces Egypt's rising contender Mahmoud Atef (5-2) in a thrilling Bantamweight semi-final. In the co-main event, Cameroon's Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) squares off against Ivory Coast's Mikael Groguhe (6-2) in a battle of heavy-handed finishers. The card will also showcase a special Women's Strawweight bout featuring undefeated Nigerian prospect Juliet Ukah (6-0). Her opponent is to be announced shortly. The PFL Africa Tournament will kick off with eight-man brackets in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. The full tournament schedule and remaining host cities for the semi-finals and finals will be announced soon. In total, 32 fighters representing 15 African nations will compete across four weight classes in 2025, as the league begins a continent-wide journey to crown the first-ever PFL Africa Champions. The launch event will also set the stage for the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai card, bringing the world's best MMA talent to Africa. Headlining that card will be undefeated Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen, who defends his title against Spain's Costello Van Steenis. In the co-main event, Dakota Ditcheva will face Sumiko Inaba in a Women's Flyweight clash. Additional bouts in the Champions Series will be announced in due course. In July 2024, PFL announced the creation of its third international league, PFL Africa, following the success of PFL Europe and PFL MENA. The league aims to showcase African talent on a global platform. Former UFC Heavyweight Champion and current global combat sports icon, Cameroon's Francis Ngannou, serves as the acting chairman of the league and plays a pivotal ambassadorial role, aiming to develop the next generation of African champions. The PFL Africa launch is further supported by strategic broadcast partnerships to ensure wide-reaching distribution across sub-Saharan Africa. For those unable to attend the event in person, all fights will be broadcast live on SuperSport. Coverage will also be available on Canal+, the official broadcaster for French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. To further expand access, PFL has launched a mobile-first platform, distributed in partnership with Content For Mobile (CFM) through leading telecommunications providers. This initiative aims to deliver affordable MMA content directly to fans and reach over 90% of African households. More details on streaming and broadcasting will be shared in the coming weeks.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Francis Ngannou Breaks Silence After Tragic Reports of 'Heartbreaking' Fatal Motorcycle Accident
Former UFC heavyweight champion and current PFL champion-slash-boxer Francis Ngannou has been the crux in the swirl of rumors that he was in a tragic motorcycle accident that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old girl. The incident, which allegedly occurred in April in the Cameroon capital city of Yaoundé, has drawn widespread attention and outcry, with Ngannou remaining silent until today. Ngannou has broken his silence, publicly addressing these rumors and confirming his involvement in the accident. In an emotional statement released via TMZ, Ngannou confirmed he is grieving with the family of the victim, saying, "From the very beginning, I have been by the family's side, offering support, comfort, and deepest condolences during this time.' Advertisement Though he is unable to divulge all the details of the accident due to the ongoing investigation, he has expressed his solidarity with the victim's family. 'I've met with them privately to share in their grief, and I will continue to stand with them every step of the way," Ngannou said. "I carry their pain with me, and my unwavering thoughts and support remain with them as they face this heartbreaking loss." Local outlets, including Cameroon Concord and Cameroon Online, reported that Ngannou was riding a motorcycle on Easter weekend when he struck a young girl, and then rushed her to Yaoundé General Hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery for severe leg and arm injuries. Ultimately, she passed away tragically during the procedure. Ngannou, who covered all medical expenses, has faced mounting public pressure, with calls for justice and a full investigation into the circumstances. Authorities have yet to determine if legal action will follow. Advertisement The accident marks another painful year for Ngannou, who in April 2024 lost his son, 15-month-old Kobe, to an undiagnosed brain condition. The fighter, admired for his rise from working in Cameroonian sand mines to global stardom, has endured immense personal suffering amid his professional highs, including a knockout win over Renan Ferreira in the PFL last October 1. Ngannou's fighting future remains uncertain. Though whispers of a boxing return surfaced in Feb. of this year, his focus now is on the ongoing investigation and supporting the victim's family. The PFL, where he serves as Chairman of PFL Africa, has not commented on the situation. Social media responses have been divided—some demand accountability, while others, like a fan quoted in the comments of a Sun Sport post, express sympathy: "This poor bloke has been through it over the past couple of years... RIP to the young lass." Related: Francis Ngannou's Name Surfaces After Fatal Accident Report Related: Before UFC Retirement, Anthony Smith Explains How His Coach's Passing Led to Dismal Performance 'I was in hell'
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PFL Africa launches in Cape Town with Inaugural MMA tournament this July
Former UFC Heavyweight king and current PFL Heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is the acting PFL chairman and will play an integral role in building the PFL Africa brand and building its talent Image: BRAVE CF South Africa's Mixed Martial Arts scene will receive a significant boost this year as the Professional Fighters League (PFL) launches the historic and much-anticipated PFL Africa tournament in Cape Town this July. The PFL is one of the biggest MMA brands alongside the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and it will now be the first major organisation to break ground on the continent. The PFL has confirmed that July 26 will mark the official opening of the 2025 PFL Africa Tournament. The show will run in conjunction with the PFL Champions Series in a joint event, which will be rolled out at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World's Grand Arena. The PFL Africa 2025 tournament will comprise four events across Africa, featuring 24 top fighters from 14 African countries. The Cape Town leg of the PFL Africa Tournament will showcase athletes in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight divisions. Former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele has signed with the Professional Fighters League and will debut at PFL Africa on July 26 at the Grand Arena in Cape Town. Photo: PFL Image: PFL Each division will feature an eight-man bracket, with fighters progressing through semi-finals and finals. Among the fighters on the day will be South Africa's former BRAVE CF Bantamweight champion, Nkosi Ndebele, who will take on Egypt's Mahmoud Atef. Another fan favourite and EFC star, Zimbabwe's unbeaten Simbarashe Hokonya, will battle Morocco's Abderrahman Errachidy in the same division. In the Heavyweight category, South Africa's Justin Clark will face Cameroon's Jashell Ticha Awa, while Senegal's Abdoullah Kane meets Morocco's Mohammad Ben Yahia. Ndebele recently bid farewell to BRAVE CF after becoming the promotion's first 'homegrown' champion. Many were up in arms wondering where he would go next, and it seemed inevitable that he would join one of the major brands. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The debut night of the PFL Africa Tournament will include five major international bouts as part of the PFL Champions Series: Road to Dubai. The PFL Champions Series features MMA world champions and top PFL stars competing in title fights, with each event culminating in a showdown in Dubai. In the world title main event at the Grand Arena, undefeated middleweight world champion Johnny Eblen will face Spain's Costello van Steenis. The co-main event will see the formidable Dakota Ditcheva go head-to-head with Hawaii's Sumiko Inaba in a world-class Women's Flyweight clash. In July 2024, the PFL announced its third international league — PFL Africa — after PFL Europe and PFL MENA, aiming to showcase African talent on the world stage. Former UFC Heavyweight and current global combat sports superstar, Cameroon's Francis Ngannou, is the acting chairman of the league and will also play a pivotal ambassadorial role in growing the Professional Fighters League on the Mother Continent, as well as in discovering and developing the next generation of African champions. Francis Ngannou. Photo: AFP Image: AFP 'Kicking off the PFL Champions Series in Cape Town alongside the launch of PFL Africa reflects our commitment to grow the sport of MMA throughout the continent, as well as provide pathways for African fighters to compete on a global stage and become champions,' says Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. 'With PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and now PFL Africa launching, PFL's international growth strategy and footprint are unmatched in the sport. This is all made possible by building a great team. I'm proud to partner with Francis Ngannou and Helios Sports & Entertainment Group, and excited to welcome Elias Schulze as GM of PFL Africa.' The full tournament schedule, including future host cities and dates, will be revealed soon. Ticket and broadcast details will also be announced in due course.
