Despite the urging from many of his fellow fighters to go back to the UFC hat in hand, Francis Ngannou was willing to bet on himself as he pursued employment opportunities outside of the world’s largest mixed martial arts organization.

That gamble paid off on Tuesday as Ngannou announced he had signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League — one that gives the 36-year-old equity in the company and allows him the freedom to pursue boxing fights outside the organization, as first reported by the New York Times.

“Let’s just say, all-in my deal with P.F.L. is more than anyone else offered,” Ngannou told the New York Times. “…I’m very excited about this deal with the P.F.L. because they basically showed what I was expecting. They didn’t just show up as a promotion that was looking for a fighter, but really came as a partner that sees more value in you as a person.”