Morning Report: Joe Rogan says Francis Ngannou is ‘only way that PFL’s gonna get people to pay attention’

Francis Ngannou hasn’t fought in MMA since his first and solely UFC heavyweight title protection in January 2022.

Man, Ngannou’s unanimous choice victory over Ciryl Gane actually appears like 5 years in the past no less than. The departure of “The Predator” from the UFC roster actually threw the heavyweight division into such a cataclysmic spiral that it’s but to get well from. The unhappy half is that it in all probability gained’t be till subsequent yr.

No matter Ngannou’s MMA absence, the UFC moved on with Tom Aspinall and Jon Jones, and Ngannou’s made waves by signing with the PFL and starting his professional boxing profession. Two matches later, Ngannou has but to formally earn wins in opposition to his two pound-for-pound nice opponents Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. The previous UFC champion’s title worth is arguably greater than ever regardless of the outcomes. For PFL as an organization, Ngannou is perhaps its solely saving grace, in response to longtime UFC commentator Joe Rogan.

“If the UFC went away, the PFL would in all probability take up the slack,” Rogan mentioned on the Joe Rogan Experience. “If one thing occurred, the UFC determined, ‘ what, we’ve discovered Jesus. No extra fights. Good luck. Take care. We’re gonna shut store.’ For some loopy cause. These guys would go someplace. Everybody has a reputation.

“Proper now, the one approach a corporation may gain advantage — like PFL signed Francis. That’s in all probability the one approach that PFL’s gonna get folks to concentrate. You must have somebody like Francis.”

Whether or not you consider the PFL is the “co-leader” in MMA or not, it’s undeniably turn out to be one of many sport’s greatest promotions after absorbing Bellator late final yr. The roster additions have given PFL a robust roster with loads of thrilling matchups nonetheless but to be made. A type of is the anticipated pairing of Ngannou in opposition to 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira.

“La Problema” knocked out reigning Bellator champion Ryan Bader in simply 21 seconds in February to earn the Ngannou welcoming honors. That’s assuming he does certainly struggle in MMA once more.

Rogan likes the considered the Ferreira bout however in the end expects boxing to stay a fixture for Ngannou going ahead.

“There’s this wild Brazilian dude over there who’s f*cking harmful,” Rogan mentioned of Ferreira. “That man’s f*cking harmful. He’s big and he can strike. That’s the one man [Ngannou can fight].

“Possibly if the PFL will get some warmth behind it due to this, possibly if they’ve the cash, I do know there are another international locations which are concerned just like the Saudis, they usually begin throwing cash away. Possibly.

“Yeah [he’ll go back to boxing],” he concluded. “He’s made a lot cash, however after the Joshua struggle, it’s going to be totally different.”

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Between the Hyperlinks.

Sound & Pound.

Featherweight championship historical past.

Full struggle.

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses what’s subsequent for Nate Diaz after boxing win over Jorge Masvidal.

Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover one in all my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at the moment actually into. I’ll decide the perfect one alongside my day by day alternative and offer you a shoutout! It’s also possible to share within the feedback under — these are simply more durable to sift via typically!

Sean.

Umar.

Standing hammerfists about to take over.

Fairly loopy one.

Change.

Denis Goltsov (34-8) vs. Tim Johnson (18-9); PFL Nashville, Aug. 2

Dakota Ditcheva (12-0) vs. Jena Bishop (7-1); PFL Nashville, Aug. 2

Oleg Popov (18-1) vs. Linton Vassell (25-9); PFL Nashville, Aug. 2

Liz Carmouche (22-7) vs. Taila Santos (21-3); PFL Nashville, Aug. 2

Impa Kasanganay (17-4) vs. Josh Silveira (13-3); PFL Hollywood, Aug. 16

Rob Wilkinson (19-2) vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (23-7-1); PFL Hollywood, Aug. 16

Gadzhi Rabadanov (22-4-1) vs. Michael Dufort (13-5); PFL Hollywood, Aug. 16

Brent Primus (14-3) vs. Clay Collard (25-13); PFL Hollywood, Aug. 16

Stewart Nicoll (8-0) vs. Jesús Aguilar (10-2); UFC 305, Aug. 17

Brendan Loughnane (29-5) vs. Kai Kamaka (14-5-1); PFL D.C., Aug. 23

Magomed Umalatov (16-0) vs. Don Madge (11-5-1); PFL D.C., Aug. 23

Gabriel Braga (14-1) vs. Timur Khizriev (16-0); PFL D.C., Aug. 23

Shamil Musaev (18-0-1) vs. Murad Ramazanov (12-1); PFL D.C., Aug. 23

Sadly, undecided Francis will even work at this level. Been a tough yr for the PFL.

Thanks for studying!

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