In an exclusive interview with IGIHE, Ngannou, who also serves as Chairperson of PFL Africa, said it was “easier to bring PFL Africa to Rwanda” because the nation was already prepared and aligned with the league’s long-term vision.
“Rwanda was a country that was already ahead and ready with the infrastructure, the vision, the project, so everything was aligned,” Ngannou said. “So, looking for a hosting country for PFL Africa, Rwanda was already at the top of the line because we all can see all the work that Rwanda has been doing in order to develop and to improve the sport.”
The Kigali event marks a new chapter in the Professional Fighters League’s expansion across the continent. After successful rounds in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the league has now brought its semifinals to Rwanda, the first time a PFL event has been staged in East Africa and the country’s official debut on the global mixed martial arts (MMA) stage.
“After seeing the facilities and the arena, it was clear Rwanda was ready,” Ngannou added, referring to the BK Arena. “Besides the infrastructure and the organisation surrounding it, the excitement about the event itself is very impressive.”
He noted that Rwanda’s progress reflects its ambition to build a strong sports sector, something he believes can inspire other African countries.
“One of the things that made it easier for me as an African was not having to worry about a visa when coming here as a Cameroonian,” he said.
{{A fighter shaped by struggle
}}
Ngannou’s story is one of perseverance and self-belief, a rise from poverty to global success. Born in Batié, Cameroon, he grew up in extreme hardship, working in a sand mine as a child to afford school supplies and help his family survive.
At 26, he left home to pursue a dream of becoming a professional fighter, embarking on a dangerous journey through the Sahara and across Europe. Along the way, he endured detention and months of homelessness in Paris, but he never lost hope.
“Regardless of where or how far back you start, it’s never too late to win a race,” he said. “When your biggest competitor is yourself, we tend to be our own obstacle by doubting ourselves.”
That resilience carried him to become one of the most feared fighters in the world, first as UFC Heavyweight Champion and now as the inaugural PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion.
{{Building Africa’s MMA future
}}
As Chairman of PFL Africa, Ngannou said his goal is to help develop local talent and provide African fighters with the resources and platform to compete globally.
“The long-term vision for PFL Africa is to encourage those African talents, those African fighters who have a dream of fighting on the higher stage, and to grow local talent that can compete on the global stage,” he explained. “It’s not just about events, but about talent development, infrastructure, and education.”
He added that he feels a responsibility to bridge the gap for fighters who don’t have the same resources as those in other regions.
“At the end of the day, I’m still a fighter,” he said. “I always see myself as a fighter and try to do what is best for fighters.”
{{Fighting for something greater
}}
When asked what still scares him after years of facing the world’s toughest opponents, Ngannou gave a simple answer.
“The only thing that really scares me is to give up and to wake up someday and find out that I didn’t give it all,” he said. “That’s my biggest fear.”
He urged young Africans to overcome self-doubt and pursue their dreams relentlessly.
“Don’t be your own opponent,” he said. “The biggest fight you will ever have is the one against yourself.”
Ngannou believes Rwanda’s hosting of PFL Africa 3 is only the beginning of a new era for combat sports on the continent.
“We are soon to have local fighters coming out of here and from the region,” he said. “With their support, they can reach my level or even higher, so we can build the biggest community together.”
Watch the full video below:
Leave a Reply