The former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Francis Ngannou, is set to make his highly anticipated return to MMA action. After a successful but brief foray into the world of boxing, Ngannou has signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and is eyeing a October debut.
Ngannou, who departed the UFC earlier this year, has been keeping a close eye on the PFL’s heavyweight division. He revealed that his first opponent in the promotion is likely to be Renan “Problema” Ferreira, a rising star who recently knocked out Bellator champion Ryan Bader in just 21 seconds.
“I’ve been telling people about this guy for, what, almost 2 years,” Ngannou said on The Joe Rogan Experience. “Fast hand, 1-2’s, knees… very athletic. I think it’s gonna be him.”
The PFL is reportedly planning to host a stacked event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 19th, and Ngannou’s long-awaited return could headline the card. The promotion is yet to officially announce the event, but Ngannou hinted that several high-profile fighters, including Cedric Doumbe, could be featured on the card.
Ngannou’s last MMA fight was in January 2022, when he defended his UFC Heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane. Since then, he has ventured into the world of boxing, facing off against the likes of Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. While his boxing experiments didn’t go as planned, Ngannou is now eager to reclaim his place atop the MMA heavyweight division.
“It’s working pretty good we have a good relationship,” Ngannou said of his PFL partnership. “I have some fight again, I will be fighting by the end of the year. I think Renan Ferreira is the opponent.”
The matchup between Ngannou and Ferreira promises to be a thrilling clash of styles. Ferreira, a towering 6’8″ fighter, will pose a unique challenge for Ngannou, who will be looking to showcase his devastating power and skill set against the up-and-coming Brazilian.
As the MMA world eagerly awaits Ngannou’s return, fans can expect a major spectacle when the former UFC champion steps into the PFL’s Octagon later this year in Saudi Arabia.
