By Francis Ngannou is gearing up for his return to MMA, with plans to make his debut for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) in October. The former UFC heavyweight champion, who signed a lucrative multi-fight deal with PFL, is expected to face Renan Ferreira. Ngannou revealed this during an appearance on The Joe Rogan Podcast, highlighting Ferreira’s athleticism and skill.
Ngannou’s debut is tentatively scheduled for October 19, with Saudi Arabia likely to host the event. This follows PFL’s partnership with Saudi Arabia, which began in 2023 after the promotion sold a minority stake for $100 million. The first event in Saudi Arabia took place in February, and the upcoming October event is expected to feature Cedric Doumbe as well.
Ngannou initially planned to debut for PFL earlier but is now committed to returning to the cage before the end of 2024. Ferreira earned the opportunity to welcome Ngannou to PFL after knocking out Bellator champion Ryan Bader in February.
Ngannou, who recently fought Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in boxing matches, plans to return to boxing after his PFL debut. He acknowledges that at nearly 38 years old, his time in combat sports is limited. However, he remains optimistic about his future in both MMA and boxing, stating that he wants to leave the sport on his own terms.
Ngannou emphasized the importance of maintaining his passion and excitement for training and competing. He plans to continue fighting as long as he feels motivated and capable, aiming to avoid the feeling of being forced to train. Ngannou is confident that he still has several fights left in him before considering retirement.
