THE Professional Fighters League are “fully financed” to offer Deontay Wilder a stunning MMA bout against Francis Ngannou.
Ngannou recently walked out on the UFC as heavyweight champion to sign with the PFL, MMA’s only seasonal format.
Stars compete in qualifying and knockout stages, culminating in a series of finale fights where $1million is up for grabs.
But they are set to launch a “super-fight division” – away from the season – which will play host to Ngannou’s PFL debut.
And former boxing champion Wilder has talked up a two-bout deal with the Cameroonian to fight in the ring and cage.
PFL owner Donn Davis told SunSport: “What Deontay said is, he’s open to doing a fight in boxing and MMA, and MMA with Francis would be in the PFL.
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“We welcome that fight, we’re fully financed to do that fight and I think it would be exciting if that fight came together.
“But are we talking to him? What would be the stage of those negotiations? We always respect those private business negotiations.
“But I think he was pretty clear that he finds it interesting and a possibility.”
Wilder, 37, showed up to a PFL fight night in Atlanta, where he opened the door to crossing over to MMA.
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Meanwhile Ngannou, 36, is also considering a switch to boxing before returning to MMA which was a vital factor in his decision to join the PFL.
Davis said: “ONE Championship offered him twice as much money per fight. He didn’t want to go there. He chose the PFL.
“And we’re paying him the same that the UFC offered him, per fight but what we offered him was a platform to do other things that were important to Francis.
“Number one, he can box. Two, he’s chairman of PFL Africa and he will build that international, regional league with us.
“What we saw with Francis is a businessman, who can build the global league with us and a partner. And like everyone else a fighter.
“And for him to choose us and partner with us is very rewarding. Because he’s the biggest prize in MMA.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
