MMA Champion Offers Cross-Promotion For Francis Ngannou’s PFL Debut. Cross-promotion fights have become a big talking point in MMA, with organizations like the PFL, Bellator, and ONE Championship all making big moves this year alone.
| Key Points |
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| MMA Champion Phil De Fries is open to a cross-promotion fight with Francis Ngannou in the future. |
| Conor McGregor’s team is one loss away from being swept on The Ultimate Fighter. |
| PFL has partnered with USADA to address the organization’s doping issue. |
Cross-promotion fights have become a big talking point in MMA, with organizations like the PFL , Bellator, and ONE Championship all making big moves this year alone.
When it comes to the potential of two promotions linking up for a spectacular event, Francis Ngannou is always going to come into the mix after his signing with the PFL earlier this year.
Recently announced to be fighting Tyson Fury in a boxing match later this year, the former UFC champion will return to MMA in 2024 and is in need of some opponents. One man who is open to taking the fight and getting the huge guaranteed pay-out to fight Ngannou is KSW Heavyweight Champion Phil De Fries.
Ahead of the ninth defense of his title this weekend at KSW 84, De Fries told Jason Burgos of Sportsnaut that both he and KSW could be open to the idea in the future.
“I think KSW are fairly open to cross-promotion fights, you know? I think it’s definitely something they would consider,” De Fries said. “These things are a lot easier to speak about than to actually make materialize, but I would love a cross-promotion fight. Like, say, me versus Francis for the two million or me versus (Ryan) Bader or go over to ONE. I love Japan, Rizin, that would be great. But I’m happy and KSW is always finding me people to fight and I’m always kicking ass.”
Conor McGregor’s Team One Loss Away From TUF Clean Sweep
Things have continued to go from bad to worse for Conor McGregor and his team of prospects on The Ultimate Fighter after dropping another loss on episode seven last night.
Now 0-7 throughout the first round of matchups, the idea of team McGregor getting swept is looking very likely with just one more fight to go. With the final bout featuring Michael Chandler’s number one bantamweight seed Hunter Azure, things aren’t looking any easier either.
PFL Partners With USADA To Run Anti-Doping Program After 10 Fighters Suspended
Announced via an email sent to fighters by PFL President Ray Sefo, the promotion has hired the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to address the organization’s doping issue.
They will take a similar role to that partnership that USADA has had with the UFC since 2015, starting immediately with fighters participating in “educational sessions.”
The announcement comes shortly after the news that 10 fighters had been fined and suspended for violating the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s policies, removing fighters like former champion Rob Wilkinson and Bruno Cappelozza from this year’s season.
The PFL returns with the 2023 Playoffs on August 4 in San Antonio.
