By After his highly anticipated showdown with Anthony Joshua, Francis Ngannou will be making his return to MMA, setting his sights on the Professional Fighters League (PFL) for his next challenge.
Ngannou’s foray into boxing against Tyson Fury sent shockwaves through the combat sports world, with the heavyweight sensation demonstrating his raw power by flooring Fury in the third round. Now, as he prepares to face Joshua in Saudi Arabia, Ngannou has already laid the groundwork for his return to MMA.
The PFL has confirmed that Ngannou will debut against the winner of the Heavyweight Superfight between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader, marking his official return to the MMA scene. Ngannou’s signing with the PFL earlier this year signaled his commitment to conquering new heights in the world of mixed martial arts.
“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,” stated Peter Murray, CEO of the PFL, highlighting the anticipation surrounding Ngannou’s return.
As Ngannou prepares to trade blows with Joshua, boxing star Claressa Shields predicts a closely contested bout, envisioning a split decision outcome. Shields believes that Joshua’s desire to prove himself may add pressure, potentially altering the dynamics of the fight against Ngannou.
“I think it’s going to be a good fight. At first, I kind of felt that AJ was going to knock out Ngannou, that’s how I saw the fight. Now it’s kind of shifted on, I feel like it’ll be a split decision going either guy’s way,” shared Shields, emphasizing the unpredictability of the matchup.
With Ngannou’s return to MMA on the horizon and a high-stakes showdown against Joshua looming, fans can expect a thrilling chapter in the storied career of the heavyweight powerhouse. As anticipation builds for Ngannou’s next move, the MMA world eagerly awaits his triumphant return to the octagon.”
