The Professional Fighters League will launch an African series in 2025 with Francis Ngannou announced as chairman of the new league.

The USA-based mixed martial arts promotion already has American and European circuits.

Cameroon’s Ngannou, 37, hopes the new league “will shape the very foundation of African MMA”.

“As we have seen there is a great wealth of talent in Africa just waiting to be given a global stage,” Ngannou said.

“I am so very proud to give back to my homeland and to provide great content to a region with such a passionate and diverse fanbase.”

Ngannou signed for the PFL last year but is yet to make an appearance for the MMA promotion after two boxing fights in Saudi Arabia.

The heavyweight is a former UFC champion and is one of several Africa-born fighters to win a UFC world title including Nigerians Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya.

South Africa’s Dricus Du Plessis is the latest African to win a belt in the UFC and will defend his middleweight title against Adesanya on 17 August.

The PFL is yet to have an African-born champion, but does have several fighters with roots in the region, including 2023 light-heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay of the United States, born in Florida to Congolese parents, and 2022 welterweight champion Sadibou Sy of Sweden, who has Senegalese heritage.