Francis Ngannou has signed a fight deal with the Professional Fighters League, with the mixed martial arts promotion also handing the ex-UFC champion equity in the company. Ngannou, 36, vacated the UFC heavyweight title in January upon deciding to leave the promotion, and his next move has been the subject of intense speculation ever since. On Tuesday (16 May), it was announced that the Cameroonian has signed with the PFL, who will give Ngannou ‘equity’ and ‘leadership roles’ per The New York Times. Ngannou, seen as arguably the greatest knockout artist in UFC history, is set to make his PFL debut in the ‘Super Fight’ division next year, with his aim being to compete in boxing in 2023. “I believe in the PFL’s ‘fighter first’ culture and global vision, including developing the sport in Africa,” Ngannou said on Tuesday. “With that, I am also proud to announce that I will serve as Chairman of PFL Africa, which will be the leading MMA organisation on the continent, providing great African fighters the opportunity to compete on a global platform.” Ngannou’s relationship with the UFC grew fractious in recent years, with the company unwilling to entertain his wishes to box, according to the Cameroonian. Ngannou last fought in January 2022, retaining the UFC heavyweight title against then-interim champion and former teammate Ciryl Gane. The result marked the first decision win of Ngannou’s career, in which his professional record stands at 17-3. Twelve of Ngannou’s wins have come via knockout, with eight of them taking place in Round 1 and three of them occurring inside the first minute. Ngannou won the UFC heavyweight title by knocking out Stipe Miocic in 2021. Miocic, seen by many as the greatest heavyweight in UFC history, previously retained the title against Ngannou by outpointing “The Predator” in 2018. In March, UFC light-heavyweight great Jon Jones won the title vacated by Ngannou. Jones submitted Gane in the first round and is expected to fight Miocic next. Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos. Read More UFC schedule 2023: Every major fight happening this year Jon Jones hints Stipe Miocic fight will be his last in the UFC Jon Jones submits Ciryl Gane in first round to win heavyweight title at UFC 285 When is the next UFC event? UFC schedule 2023: Every fight happening this year UFC London ticket prices as July fights are announced

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Southampton have already been relegated from the Premier League, but the race to avoid joining them looks set to go down to the wire. Two of West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Everton, Leeds and Leicester will play alongside the Saints in the Championship next season. Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the relegation battle with two games to go. West Ham (Leeds H, Leicester A) Given their own plight and their opposition in the final two rounds of fixtures, West Ham will play a deciding role in who goes down. It will take an extraordinary set of results for them to be relegated as they are six points clear of Leeds with a significantly better goal difference, so would need to lose both games heavily and see a number of other results go against them. Their only concern will be how their European exertions affect them, with their match against Leeds coming days after a Europa Conference League semi-final second leg against AZ Alkmaar. Nottingham Forest (Arsenal H, Crystal Palace A) Seven points from the last four games has hauled Forest out of the bottom three and they now could stay up even if they lose their remaining fixtures. Safety will be assured if they draw with Arsenal at the City Ground and then Leeds lose at West Ham and Leicester fail to beat Newcastle. However, two defeats, including on the final day at Crystal Palace, and results going against them elsewhere would see them drop back into the Championship. Everton (Wolves A, Bournemouth H) Everton, on paper, have the kindest fixtures of those in the fight and they will fancy their chances of staying up, with their Bank Holiday win at Brighton last week looking pivotal. They will confirm their survival if they win at Wolves and then Leeds lose at West Ham and Leicester fail to beat Newcastle. Two defeats could be enough for Leeds to overtake them by drawing just one of their two games, although that will be dependent on a minor goal difference swing. Leeds (West Ham A, Tottenham H) Leeds are relying on other teams to lose, but they also have to do their own business under Sam Allardyce, with so many permutations still possible. The most worrying one is they will be sent back to the Championship if they lose at West Ham, Everton win at Wolves and Forest pick up a positive result against Arsenal. But, as mentioned, they could stay up by drawing just one game, if Everton and Leicester lose both of their matches. They will be hoping to take advantage of West Ham’s European distraction as Allardyce visits his old club on Sunday before a vital home game against Tottenham. Leicester (Newcastle A, West Ham H) Leicester, Premier League champions seven years ago, could be relegated if they fail to beat Newcastle on Monday night, Forest pick up a point against Arsenal and Everton beat Wolves. Defeat at St James’ Park would also mean Everton would only need two points from their final two games. To stay up, Leicester realistically need to win at least one of their remaining games at Newcastle or at home to West Ham, although it is possible two draws could be enough. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jofra Archer to miss Ashes summer with fresh stress fracture in his elbow Football rumours: Arsenal preparing £90million swoop for West Ham’s Declan Rice On this day in 2010: Dominant England beat Australia to win World Twenty20 final

Antony speaks about settling at Man Utd and which players he is closest too.

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