Randy Couture on Francis Ngannou: ‘He’s standing up for fighters’

Couture on Francis Ngannou’s impact in the PFL and the similarities he sees to when he was competing in the UFC

Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.

History is repeating itself in MMA.

And that means the sport is again reinventing itself.

Part of the movement is Randy Couture, a UFC Hall of Famer and MMA legend. Couture helped blaze the trail for the UFC into mainstream sports, where it now resides.

“People thought it was criminals fighting in a cage,” says Couture. “A lot has changed since then.”

The fastest-growing competitor in the MMA realm is the PFL, which has greater ambitions than existing solely as the number-two ranked MMA company worldwide. Its sports-season format is distinctly unique, and there is continued growth with its television partners–this year’s playoffs air on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and ESPN+–and Couture is also playing a role in the PFL’s expansion.

“The trajectory is the same–it’s fighting for acceptance, showing something that is different with our format,” says Couture, who works beside Kenny Florian and Sean O’Connell on the PFL broadcasts. “Our goal in the beginning was to prove this sport was legitimate and mainstream. And there is plenty of room in the marketplace for both of us. I like that we don’t poke the UFC. [PFL founder and chairman] Donn Davis and [PFL CEO] Pete Murray have always had that position. UFC is a marketing machine, we’re not here to poke that bear. We’re here to build stars and tell their stories.

“It’s been fun watching this whole promotion explode the way it has, seeing the fighters embrace the grind in a very challenging format. Fighting four times in eight months is no small feat. The fighters are getting paid very well, and not only in championship fights, and the exposure on ESPN has been incredible.”

The PFL’s most significant free agent acquisition has been Francis Ngannou, who signed with the organization in May. His deal put him in a leadership role on the PFL Global Advisory Board, where he is the first active fighter to serve on the board and represent fighters’ interests, as well as Chairman of PFL Africa.

Ngannou is training with Mike Tyson ahead of his boxing bout against Tyson Fury, which takes place in October. Expected to make his debut in the PFL SmartCage next year, Ngannou left the UFC as heavyweight champion, making his bouts even more fascinating.

Since signing with the PFL, the public dispute between Ngannou and UFC president Dana White has only intensified. Couture has paid close attention to the situation, especially because he has his own history sparring with the UFC.

“In 05-06, I stood up for myself and took them to task over ancillary rights in their contracts and the crappy nature of those contracts,” says Couture, 60. “The upside to that is I’m one of the few that owns my own ancillary rights. The downside is they closed all those loopholes I highlighted in the contract, so the next guy was going to have to sign an even worse contract, which was certainly not my intention. Francis has taken that mantle and he’s standing up for fighters, many of which don’t have the leverage to do so.

“The money Francis was offered [from the PFL and UFC] wasn’t much different. It’s about the advocacy. Francis planted a giant red flag and shined a big light on the issues we’re having in the sport. We certainly need marquee names like Francis and Jon Jones to do that, and I’m proud of Francis for what he’s done.

“A lot of people assume I was in his ear, but that’s not true. I was just in Saudi Arabia with Francis helping the PFL close a deal for PFL Middle East. Francis is the Chairman of PFL Africa, and they share borders, and I was very impressed with his contributions to those conversations with the Saudis and how he saw those two regions working together to build opportunity for athletes. It was extremely impressive.”

Next up for Couture is calling the PFL playoffs, which continue on August 18. Taking place at The Theater at MSG in New York City, Couture will share his enthusiasm with viewers, particularly surrounding Larissa Pacheco’s pursuit of a back-to-back PFL title and the heavyweight main event pitting Maurice Greene against Renan Ferreira.

“I see passion,” says Couture. “That’s why you step in the cage. That passion is on display every time those fighters make those four steps into the cage. I still get excited about that.

“It’s win or go home. There is a lot at stake here.”

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Cory Sandhagen in position to challenge for the UFC bantamweight title

Courtesy Zuffa LLC

It will be difficult to deny Cory Sandhagen a shot at the UFC bantamweight title.

But who will he face for the belt?

Sandhagen dominated Rob Font this past weekend, raising his win streak to three. Equally impressive is that Font (17-4) controlled the last four rounds despite suffering a fully torn triceps muscle, as well as the fact he shifted opponents late in training camp from Umar Nurmagomedov to Font. But there is no guarantee that Font will get a rematch against reigning champ Aljamain Sterling.

If Sterling changes weight class and moves to featherweight, it would make sense to do it after his UFC 292 bout against Sean O’Malley. A victory from O’Malley may complicate that, but Sterling has made it clear he will not fight close friend Merab Dvalishvili. If Sterling defeats O’Malley at 292, then Dvalishvili is next in line for a shot.

But if Sterling makes the move to featherweight, then Dvalishvili can fight for the vacant title. After this past weekend’s performance, all signs point to his opponent being Sandhagen.

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JustinBarrasso.