Francis Ngannou seems to be making his MMA comeback next, taking against a former boxing heavyweight champion under mixed rules.
PFL founder Donn Davis recently spoke about the Cameroonian’s upcoming venture into combat sports and outlined the schedule for the former UFC heavyweight champion.
Following his departure from the UFC earlier this year, Ngannou signed a historic deal with the PFL. This groundbreaking move allowed him not only to reignite his MMA journey but also to pursue his aspirations in the realm of boxing.
Ngannou’s boxing debut against Tyson Fury was nothing short of a spectacle. Despite ultimately succumbing to a tight split decision, he displayed a remarkable performance that captured the attention of the combat sports world. His tenacity and skill set a new precedent, prompting discussions about potential matchups.
Amidst anticipation for a Ngannou-Fury rematch, the PFL seems to have charted a different course. Donn Davis hinted at a groundbreaking spectacle—an upcoming clash between Francis Ngannou and the former boxing heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder. The two will be competing in a hybrid-rules matchup slated for the upcoming year.
He said at The MMA Hour: “We don’t know, other than he will fight with PFL in 2024. We don’t know if it’s the first or last quarter. I still think it will be a mixed-rules fight, and I still think Deontay Wilder is the most likely opponent… We’re listening to Francis, and he’s sequencing his options. He has a great boxing option and this great crossover option.”
Head of Queensberry Promotions and Tyson Fury’s promoter Frank Warren, recently spoke about the possibility of a rematch between Fury and Francis Ngannou. Given the excitement around their first match and their desire to compete again, he said that a rematch is quite likely.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani, Warren reminded fans that Tyson Fury needs to prepare for the undisputed heavyweight showdown against Oleksandr Usyk on February 17. After that, he can consider a rematch with Francis Ngannou.
Warren stated: “I don’t know. Let’s get the big one out of the way first, and then we’ll see where we go… Tyson told me that he wants the rematch, and I know Ngannou wants it… He’s a really nice guy, good team around him, and I’m quite sure we’ll do it again.”