PFL has welcomed a new force to its heavyweight division: Maxwell Djantou Nana from Cameroon. His ambition is clear – not just to follow in the footsteps of his famous countryman, Francis Ngannou, but to ultimately surpass his success.
The powerful striker made his Professional Fighters League debut last summer in Washington D.C., delivering a decisive knockout victory over Kent Mafileo in the second round. Francis Ngannou himself was cageside, watching the performance. Djantou Nana is now set to participate in the inaugural PFL Africa season, facing Mickael Groguhe in a first-round bout on July 19 in South Africa.
Djantou Nana has been a long-time admirer of Ngannou, following his career and witnessing his highlight-reel knockouts against top names like Alistair Overeem, Stipe Miocic, and most recently, Renan Ferreira. Now, Maxwell aims to carve out his own distinct path and become the next generation of Cameroonian combat sports icon.
Reflecting on Ngannou`s story: The former UFC heavyweight champion`s journey from poverty to superstardom in combat sports is a major inspiration.
Maxwell Djantou Nana Sets High Goals: Exceeding Francis Ngannou
Maxwell Djantou Nana transitioned into Mixed Martial Arts in 2022, bringing with him a background as a champion in sambo. His goals are ambitious, starting with conquering the PFL Africa tournament and eventually achieving greater fame and recognition than Francis Ngannou globally.
In an exclusive conversation with Bloody Elbow, Djantou Nana discussed Ngannou`s significance: “People genuinely admire Francis because he turned the dream into reality and showed the world that anything is achievable. In Cameroon, everyone loves Francis; he`s a good person.”
He also addressed the possibility of a future fight with Ngannou: “An eventual fight between us would be significant, not just for MMA but for Cameroon. I`m staying focused and open to all possibilities… I`m very grateful to the PFL for recognizing the immense talent in Africa.”
Djantou Nana emphasized the depth of African talent: “Africa is full of exceptional fighters, both young and experienced. This is a fantastic chance for us to demonstrate the depth of talent here… Now, MMA will see a new prominent figure, not just Francis – Maxwell is here, and every one of my fights will end emphatically.”
PFL Africa Launches in South Africa on July 19
Following the successful establishment of its World Tournament and regional leagues in Europe and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), PFL Africa represents the next strategic expansion for the promotion as it pursues a global footprint.
The African season kicks off this summer. Looking ahead, PFL Pacific is planned for next year, targeting markets in Australia and New Zealand, with an Asian league slated for 2026.
The long-term vision is to build a `Champions League of MMA,` where champions from these regional tournaments converge to compete in the prestigious World Tournament.
Winners from the World Tournament will then advance to the Champions Series, competing for titles against champions and top fighters from the Bellator merger, as well as established PFL stars like Francis Ngannou and Dakota Ditcheva.
