Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return Official For PFL Super Fight Card, Cris Cyborg Co-Headlines

Former UFC champions Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg both have their mixed martial arts returns and PFL debuts in the calendar. Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, hasn’t competed in MMA since his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Since then, he’s departed the UFC off the back of […]

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Former UFC champions Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg both have their mixed martial arts returns and PFL debuts in the calendar.

Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, hasn’t competed in MMA since his successful title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022. Since then, he’s departed the UFC off the back of a lengthy contractual dispute and found a new home.

“The Predator” put pen to paper on an exclusive MMA deal with the PFL last May, which also sees him as the chairman of PFL Africa, set to launch in 2025. He’s yet to enter the SmartCage, however, instead using the freedom granted to him to complete a long-desired venture to the boxing ring.

And after shocking the world with his performance against then-WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, Ngannou remained in the boxing world for a blockbuster matchup with former two-time unified champ Anthony Joshua.

A brutal knockout loss to “AJ” in Saudi Arabia this past March appeared to put a stop to his charge in the ring for the time being, and Ngannou’s sights are back on the sport in which he made his name.

The PFL announced in a press release this week that “The Predator” will debut in a pay-per-view main event on October 19. As expected, he’ll share the Octagon with Renan Ferreira, the promotion’s 2023 heavyweight champ who secured the much sought-after Ngannou bout by stopping Ryan Bader in seconds this past February.

In the release, Ngannou commented on his confirmed first foray into the PFL cage, noting that he’s had his eyes on “Problema” for a while.

“Renan is a great fighter; I have been watching him for years,” Ngannou said. “I have been studying him for years, in fact I’ve been telling people to watch this guy. He’s quite unique, he’s athletic, fast, his size doesn’t impress me as much as his skill.”

Ngannou won’t be the only major name making a long-awaited return, with Bellator Women’s Featherweight Champion Cris Cyborg making the walk to compete in MMA for the first time since October 2023.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou’s MMA Return Official For PFL Super Fight Card, Cris Cyborg Co-Headlines at MMA News.