Ngannou Announces His MMA Return – ‘I Am A Champion In Case You Have Forgotten’
Francis Ngannou has announced his next fight will be an MMA bout following his boxing match with Anthony Joshua.
The former UFC Heavyweight Champion has not fought in MMA since he beat Ciryl Gane in 2022 in the UFC. He then left the UFC after contract talks broke down. The MMA fighter signed a deal with the PFL, which gave him an option to box in 2023.
He took up that opportunity to make his boxing debut against Tyson Fury. Despite losing a split decision, he put in a commendable performance. He sent the WBC Heavyweight Champion to the canvas in the third round and continued to move forward until the final bell.
Some in the boxing community felt he had secured the victory. Carl Froch labelled that decision as corruption at the highest level. The performance ultimately earned him a top 10 ranking by the WBC as he secured a Joshua bout for March 8.
If Ngannou secures a victory, he moves one step closer to becoming undisputed as the winner will be able to fight Tyson Fury or Oleksandr Usyk, who fight for all the bells on May 18. But Ngannou is already looking ahead, stating that his next fight will be an MMA one.
Ngannou’s Next Fight
“The PFL is excited to announce Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA in the PFL PPV Division will be against the winner of the PFL Champion vs Bellator Champion Heavyweight super fight between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader. Francis is a true combat sports icon with a global fan base and appeal. We, along with the rest of the MMA world, will be watching to see who his first opponent will be, Ferreira or Bader,” Peter Murray (PFL CEO) revealed
“I think the winner of this is the guy I’m going to fight in my MMA return. It is my intention to return to the sport. When exactly, I think depends on March 8. Everything depends on March 8. (Bader and Ferreira) are both champions and one of them is going to be a champ-champ. So, I think there wasn’t a better way to find an opponent for me, since I am a champion myself, just in case you have forgotten,” Ngannou stated
Ngannou’s Challenge
Either of those fights will be tough. Renan Fereira is the current PFL Heavyweight Champion, while Bader is the equivalent in Bellator. The two will square off after the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator in their PFL vs Bellator: Champs card in Saudi Arabia on the weekend.
That is the biggest MMA fight that can arguably be made since Dana White won’t work with Ngannou again. He also refused to do a co-promotional deal with the PFL for the Jon Jones bout, stating the UFC has a bigger audience, meaning it makes no sense.
“I’m not interested. We tried to make that fight. They didn’t want to do it. It’s done. He doesn’t fight here any more. I’m not interested.” White added: “It’s a stupid question, but go ahead talk to me. Why would I do that? “I tried to make the fight here, they didn’t want to do it but I should co-promote with like a Bellator or a PFL? Why should I do that? Talk to me. Because of ESPN? You win the dumb question of the night, congratulations, sir,” White revealed
But if Ngannou continues to win, the rise of Saudi Arabia in the MMA sphere may be enough to make that fight.
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