Donn Davis, owner of PFL has confirmed that Francis Ngannou could make his return to the octagon sooner than expected.
Heavyweight fighter Francis Ngannou could return as soon as July after taking a hiatus from MMA to make his long awaited boxing debut. After coming up short against Tyson Fury and Antony Joshua, the Cameroonian has set his sights back on the 4oz gloves.
PFL owner Donn Davis announced on the MMA Hour that he is eyeing to have Francis fight between July and September 2024. Davis added that Francis will be joined on the card by French kickboxing sensation Cedric Doubme and MMA veteran Cris Cyborg.
“I’m rooting for Francis all the time but now he’s coming back early, will it be as early as July – maybe, will it be as late as September – no later, but you’ll now see Francis in 2024 in the PFL against ‘Lo Problemo’ [Renan Ferreira] in what I believe is the fight that I’m looking forward to the most in the heavyweight divisions of all MMA.”
Francis Ngannou’s Boxing Struggles
This announcement came as a shock to many as Ngannou’s boxing focus was initially going to see him out of the octagon till 2025 but the recent KO loss to Antony Joshua earlier this month has spoilt those plans.
Francis Ngannou shocked the world in his boxing debut back in October 2023 dropping ‘The Gypsy King’ in the third round. Despite losing on the score cards he showed fans that he can hang with the best. This competitive bout with Fury had many belieiving that he may beat Antony Joshua. Joshua had other plans firing from the start and knocking Ngannou out cold with a straight right in the second round.
Ngannous’ return fight against 6’8″ Brazilian Renan Ferreira is one to watch with Ferreira coming off a KO victory displaying his power when he dethroned then PFL Heavyweight champions Ryan Bader in the first round.
The two fighters have the MMA masses on the edge of their seats in anticipation of a confirmed date.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
