Tag: Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou’s Next Challenge: MMA or Boxing? PFL Champ Aims for 2025 Comeback

Francis NgannouAfter capturing the heavyweight title in the PFL, Francis Ngannou is uncertain whether he will have his next match…

Francis Ngannou

After capturing the heavyweight title in the PFL, Francis Ngannou is uncertain whether he will have his next match boxing or MMA. But ideally, the Cameroonian-born athlete will return to action sometime in 2025.

Francis Ngannou Next Fight

The 38-year-old Francis Ngannou had tremendous success competing in MMA with the UFC. He was feared for his punching power and was able to capture the UFC heavyweight world title by way of knockout. After successfully defending this championship he walked away from the organization.

Once he left the UFC, Francis Ngannou had massive payday offers for him in boxing and with the PFL. He had two blockbuster boxing matches facing champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. In the PFL, competing in MMA, he was able to stop the top-ranked knockout striker Renan Ferreira, who was a PFL champion.

Francis Ngannou PFL 1
Photo By Tim Wheaton

After defeating Renan Ferreira by first-round knockout, Francis Ngannou has two options ahead of him: compete in MMA with the PFL or have a boxing match. Speaking in an interview with Ariel Helwani, he explained:

“It could be either one (MMA or boxing). I don’t know yet. I don’t have any hand in that one. I don’t have a decision. I think it also depends on promotion. I don’t know. If next, PFL, they come up with something with a fight or a date, maybe we’ll work on it. If it’s boxing, same thing.” [Ht MyMMANews]

Francis Ngannou PFL
Francis Ngannou

Either way, ‘The Predator’ Ngannou is set to make millions of dollars. In MMA, with the PFL, he is getting paid over $10 million per fight plus bonuses. His two boxing matches earned him a combined $30 million. Additionally, he is able to help build up the sport as the leader of PFL Africa, and he has peace of mind because in MMA he has guaranteed his opponent a massive payday giving them at least $2 million for fighting him in the PFL.

Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira
Photo by Tim Wheaton

Daniel Cormier Brands Aspinall The World’s Best Heavyweight Over Ngannou, Jones

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Tom Aspinall currently holds the global heavyweight crown over both Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. The debate surrounding who sits top spot as the world’s best heavyweight has picked up again following a standout performance from Ngannou this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Headlining a PFL pay-per-view, […]

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Brands Aspinall The World’s Best Heavyweight Over Ngannou, Jones at MMA News.

Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Tom Aspinall currently holds the global heavyweight crown over both Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou.

The debate surrounding who sits top spot as the world’s best heavyweight has picked up again following a standout performance from Ngannou this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Headlining a PFL pay-per-view, “The Predator” debuted in the SmartCage by battering Renan Ferreira on the ground and rendering the Brazilian unconscious in the very first round. The result came in Ngannou’s first MMA bout since January 2022.

With the Cameroonian back in the discussion, he appears to be battling the UFC’s heavyweight champ, Jones, and his interim counterpart, Aspinall, for the global throne.

And although much of the discussion post-fight for Ngannou has centered around a long-desired clash with Jones, Cormier said during a recent episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA‘s YouTube channel that they would be competing for silver.

After dismissing Ngannou’s claim to superiority over Jones and Aspinall, “DC” said he’d back the Englishman to beat both “The Predator” and “Bones,” leaving him as the best heavyweight in the world.

“I don’t believe he’s the best heavyweight, not Francis,” Cormier said. “I think the best heavyweight is Tom Aspinall, still. I still believe the best heavyweight in the world right now is Tom Aspinall. I think Jon is, but he’s older now. I think Aspinall’s still young, he’s fresh. There is something to not having everything yet. When you have everything, it’s hard, man. This guy Tom still doesn’t have everything. Sure, he’s headlined a couple of pay-per-view. But he’s not making seven figures every time he walks into the Octagon. He hasn’t been making a million dollars for 10 years like Jon Jones.

“I believe that Jones right now has everything. … There was a time he could go through anything to stay champion. Can he still do that? … Can he dig as deep as he did against Alexander Gustafsson?” Cormier continued. “Aspinall sure has a lot of questions, but when you look at these dudes all on paper, I would favor Tom to beat Francis, I would favor Tom to beat Stipe (Miocic), and I would actually favor Tom to beat Jon Jones right now.”

It remains to be seen what lies ahead in MMA for Ngannou, but given his position away from the UFC and the uncertainty surrounding suitable opposition, he may struggle to change the minds of those sharing Cormier’s sentiment.

Aspinall himself has cited Ngannou’s opponent options away from the Octagon as the reason why he doesn’t consider the Cameroonian a candidate for best-heavyweight status.

The Manchester native is confident that he holds that distinction, but he unfortunately won’t have the chance to prove it next time out. Much to his bemusement and the frustration of many fans, Jones won’t be unifying the title next month.

Instead, the former light heavyweight kingpin is set to put his gold on the line at UFC 309 against Miocic, who hasn’t competed since a knockout loss to Ngannou back in March 2021.

Continue Reading Daniel Cormier Brands Aspinall The World’s Best Heavyweight Over Ngannou, Jones at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing

Newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is looking to keep his ball rolling — be it in the cage or ring. Ngannou completed his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts competition this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he debuted for the Professional Fighters League. Headlining the promotion’s second pay-per-view event […]

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing at MMA News.

Newly crowned PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou is looking to keep his ball rolling — be it in the cage or ring.

Ngannou completed his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts competition this past weekend in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he debuted for the Professional Fighters League.

Headlining the promotion’s second pay-per-view event of the year, “The Predator” brutally announced himself back in the sport by ground-and-pounding Renan Ferreira into unconsciousness less than four minutes in.

The result marked a needed performance for the Cameroonian, who returned to winning ways following a devastating boxing setback at the hands of Anthony Joshua this past March.

During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Ngannou looked ahead to what could await him in 2025 — and in which realm of combat it’ll be in.

There appears to be plenty of uncertainty regarding Ngannou’s next steps, and the man himself doesn’t seem to be any wiser than the masses.

“It could be either one (MMA or boxing),” Ngannou said. “I don’t know yet. I don’t have any hand in that one. I don’t have a decision. I think it also depends on promotion. I don’t know. If next, PFL, they come up with something with a fight or a date, maybe we’ll work on it. If it’s boxing, same thing.”

With “The Predator” now having PFL gold to defend, the organization could look to secure him for a PPV date early next year. The heavyweight champ gave Helwani an estimate of the second quarter of 2025 for his return to action.

The only problem appears to be opposition for “The Predator,” with a lack of options being highlighted as a concern for the PFL moving forward.

For the time being, Ngannou likely won’t be worrying about that and will instead be celebrating his successful return to MMA, which he dedicated to his late son Kobe on Oct. 19.

Continue Reading Francis Ngannou Reveals Timeline For Next Fight, ‘Could Be Either’ MMA Or Boxing at MMA News.

Conor McGregor Gives Mocking Review Of PFL’s Battle Of The Giants PPV: ‘UFC Has Zero Competition’ 

We can seemingly count Conor McGregor among those unimpressed by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and its latest pay-per-view offering. The PFL staged its second PPV of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past weekend, with The Mayadeen playing host to a stacked lineup that included one Bellator title fight and the crowning of […]

Continue Reading Conor McGregor Gives Mocking Review Of PFL’s Battle Of The Giants PPV: ‘UFC Has Zero Competition’  at MMA News.

We can seemingly count Conor McGregor among those unimpressed by the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and its latest pay-per-view offering.

The PFL staged its second PPV of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past weekend, with The Mayadeen playing host to a stacked lineup that included one Bellator title fight and the crowning of two inaugural superfight champions.

In regard to the Bellator stakes, the middleweight belt remained in the possession of Johnny Eblen after he once again got the better of Fabian Edwards.

Following that contest, Cris Cyborg and Francis Ngannou emerged from the headliners with PFL gold in what marked their respective SmartCage debuts.

There’s little doubt that the thrilling co-main event and “The Predator’s” brutal knockout to close the show delivered the fireworks many had expected. But while McGregor had compliments for their performances, he was less positive when it came to the overall show.

The Irishman’s mockery began on the main card when he sarcastically talked over the grappling exchanges during Eblen’s wrestling-heavy win over Edwards.

“Wow!” McGregor exclaimed. “Oh my god! No! What the hell?! Wow. Oh my god! No way! F*ck off. This can’t be happening right now. He’s holding him! How’s he doing this? Oh my god! F*ck off.”

Though he ultimately laid praise on Cyborg’s triumph later in the night, he was at it again when the Brazilian held top position over Larissa Pacheco.

“Wow! This is f*cking excitement,” McGregor joked. “This is excitement.”

Both of those videos on X were deleted, as was a subsequent post that rejected the PFL’s chances of competing with the UFC.

“UFC has zero competition in MMA,” McGregor wrote.

Conor McGregor

Continue Reading Conor McGregor Gives Mocking Review Of PFL’s Battle Of The Giants PPV: ‘UFC Has Zero Competition’  at MMA News.

Jon Jones Reacts to Francis Ngannou’s Triumphant PFL Debut: “Congratulations Champ”

Jon Jones, Francis NgannouUFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones put his previous bad blood with Francis Ngannou aside to congratulate him on his…

Jon Jones, Francis Ngannou

UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones put his previous bad blood with Francis Ngannou aside to congratulate him on his first-round finish against PFL giant Renan Ferreira.

Ngannou returned to MMA after nearly three years away from the cage on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Headlining an event with the reigning PFL titleholder Ferreira, Ngannou wasted zero time taking down the behemoth Ferreira, ultimately finishing the Brazilian with ground and pound in the first round.

If you missed Ngannou’s finish at Battle of the Giants, watch the highlight below.

The former UFC heavyweight champ Ngannou signed with PFL last year after a long, rocky contract dispute with the UFC brass. The UFC stripped Ngannou of the heavyweight title upon his departure, and he then turned his full attention towards boxing fights with Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

Jones and Ngannou’s careers have been linked for years, stemming from the potential UFC superfight that never came to fruition. Despite past tensions, Jones credited Ngannou with his performance in the PFL SmartCage.

Jon Jones Applauds Francis Ngannou on Dominant PFL Debut

In a recent tweet, Jones congratulated Ngannou on his performance.

Jones won Ngannou’s stripped UFC title by submitting Ciryl Gane at UFC 285. He’s scheduled to defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in New York City next month.

Ngannou captured the UFC heavyweight belt by knocking out Miocic at UFC 260, before defending it against Gane at UFC 270. During his UFC tenure, he earned some of the most brutal knockouts in the promotion’s history.

Despite their UFC clash never coming to fruition, Jones and Ngannou teased fans with a cage-side faceoff at a PFL event last year. While their unanimously desired super fight is likely off the table, their heavyweight reigns will be discussed in the same breath.

Francis Ngannou “I’m confident in my wrestling” breaks down Renan Ferreira victory in the PFL

Francis Ngannou PFL RenanThe lineal MMA UFC world champion Francis Ngannou took on the PFL champion Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia….

Francis Ngannou PFL Renan

The lineal MMA UFC world champion Francis Ngannou took on the PFL champion Renan Ferreira in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A battle of two towering knockout strikers. The Cameroonian Ngannou took down Brazil’s Ferreira and knocked him out using ground and pound. With this, he captures the PFL Super Fights Heavyweight Championship.

Francis Ngannou talks Renan Ferreira

While speaking to the media after his main event victory in his PFL debut, the heavyweight world champion Francis Ngannou explained his game plan against Renan Ferreira. He said:

Francis Ngannou PFL
Francis Ngannou

“Once I took him down, I started to see all of his movements. His positioning, his stance—I was able to break it down. From that point, it became more about holding on to the plan, but being flexible. The game plan isn’t like a strict road you have to follow. You can take a detour, find a shortcut if necessary. If something better presents itself, you take it.”

He added:

“I’m confident in my wrestling. My journey and experience have made me comfortable with it. I could’ve stayed standing, tried to figure out the striking game, but at the end of the day, it’s about winning. Even though he has good jiu-jitsu, I knew my wrestling was strong enough to control him and his ground positions.

Francis Ngannou PFL
Francis Ngannou

Francis Ngannou has been able to capture the UFC heavyweight world title and walked away from the organization vacating his crown but keeping the lineal championship. He took on champion boxers Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in two major boxing matches. Now, the Cameroonian athlete has returned to MMA and picked up heavyweight gold in the PFL defeating a top-ranked dangerous opponent.

Francis Ngannou
2024 PFL Superfights PPV: Battle of the Giants at the Mayadeen Theater in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Jose Peñuela / 2024PFLPPV)