Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is gearing up to make his return to MMA as he prepares to debut in the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in October. This comes after Ngannou ventured into the world of boxing and had two high-profile fights. His upcoming fight is against 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira on a PFL pay-per-view superfight card on October 19. The location for the bout has not been announced yet, but it is noteworthy to mention that Saudi Arabia has a stake in the league.
After successfully defending his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in January 2022, Ngannou got embroiled in a contract dispute with the UFC, leading to his departure from the promotion. The African fighter’s demands for health insurance and personal sponsorships were not met, resulting in UFC President Dana White stripping him of the belt in January 2023. Despite leaving the UFC, Ngannou signed with the PFL in May 2023, where he also became the chairman and equity owner of PFL Africa.
During his time away from MMA, Ngannou turned his attention towards boxing, taking on heavyweight boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. In his fight against Fury, Ngannou surprised many by taking the fight to a decision, coming close to upsetting the undefeated champion. However, his bout against Joshua ended in a quick defeat, showcasing the challenges of transitioning between combat sports.
Renan Ferreira, Ngannou’s opponent in his PFL debut fight, has been active in the MMA scene with eight fights since Ngannou’s last bout. Ferreira’s quick victory over Ryan Bader in February highlights his potential as a formidable contender in the heavyweight division. His statement about preparing like never before for the fight against Ngannou adds an air of anticipation to the upcoming clash.
In addition to Ngannou’s return, another highly anticipated fight on the October card features Cris “Cyborg” Justino against Larissa Pacheco. This matchup adds further excitement to the event, promising fans a night filled with intense and thrilling MMA action.
Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA in the PFL marks a significant moment in the combat sports world. His journey from UFC champion to boxing contender and now PFL debutant showcases his versatility and determination as an athlete. The upcoming fight against Renan Ferreira and the other matchups on the card set the stage for an electrifying night of fights that fans will not want to miss.
Leave a Reply