Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, is preparing to return to MMA
Francis Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, will make his Professional Fighters League debut in October, returning to the cage following two high-profile boxing paydays.
On October 19, Ngannou faces Renan Ferreira, the 2023 PFL heavyweight champion, on a PFL pay-per-view superfight program. The PFL did not reveal the site of the fight, despite Saudi Arabia purchasing a stake in the league last year.
“Renan is a great fighter, I have been watching him for years,” Ngannou acknowledged. “I’ve been watching him for years, and I’ve been warning everyone to keep an eye on him. He’s pretty distinctive; he’s athletic and quick, as he demonstrated in his most recent bout.
Ngannou has not competed in an MMA fight since successfully defending the UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022, when he departed the promotion over a contract disagreement. Ngannou was still the UFC heavyweight champion when contract discussions broke down after the African fighter claimed his demands for health insurance and personal sponsorships were denied. Dana White, UFC President, stripped Ngannou of the belt in January 2023.
The 37-year-old Ngannou, who defeated Stipe Miocic in 2021 to win the UFC championship, signed with PFL in May 2023 as part of an agreement that made him chairman and equity owner of PFL Africa.
While the PFL has a unique MMA competition format that includes a regular season, a postseason and a championship event, Ngannou will compete only on the promotion’s super fight cards.
He took time off from MMA fights to turn his attention to the squared circle and a pair of heavyweights in Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Ngannou not only shockingly took Fury the 10-round distance, he came within one judge’s scoreboard of pulling off the upset in an October 2023 loss. He knocked down Fury in the third round and challenged him throughout a defeat that showed Ngannou was much more dangerous than any other MMA fighter that has made the recently fashionable move into boxing. The result sparked interest in Ngannou as a legitimate contender in the heavyweight division, which has been repeatedly hurt by promotional clashes and ego-driven disputes during an era featuring impressive talents who haven’t fought each other as often as they should.
Joshua easily defeated Ngannou in March by flooring him in the first and second rounds with his right hands.
Both of Ngannou’s fights occurred in Saudi Arabia, where the PFL had a card earlier this year. The oil-rich kingdom’s purchase was relatively small — reportedly $100 million — but even in a tiny role, Saudi-backed SRJ Sports Investments insured that mixed martial arts tournaments would take place in the country.
Ferreira has fought eight times since Ngannou’s last MMA fight, most recently defeating longtime Bellator champion Ryan Bader in February in 21 seconds.
“This is the fight of my life,” Ferreira explained. “I am preparing like never before to bring Ngannou a whole lot of problems.”
On the October card, Cris “Cyborg” Justino faces Larissa Pacheco.
AP
