PFL finally confirmed that the winner of the Renan Ferreira vs. Ryan Bader fight this weekend will welcome back Francis Ngannou in his MMA comeback. And while the MMA legend already agreed with the arrangement, he said that the timeline of his return remains uncertain.
This Thursday, PFL CEO Peter Murray shared the news in a statement. This echoed earlier reports, with both Ferreira and Bader hoping to face Ngannou in the future and PFL Founder and Chairman Donn Davis agreeing with the idea.
“The PFL is excited to announce Francis Ngannou’s return to MMA in the PFL PPV division will be against the winner of the PFL Champion vs. Bellator Champion heavyweight superfight between Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader,” Murray said. “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.”
Ngannou is receptive to the match, saying it makes sense due to both fighter’s champion status.
“(That’s) my potential opponent because I think the winner of this is going to be the guy I fight in my MMA return when I return,” Ngannou said on SportsCenter. “… First of all, both are champions. They’re going to be champ-champ. So I think there wasn’t a better way to find an opponent for me, since I’m a champion myself, just in case you have forgotten.”
Despite agreeing with PFL’s plan, Ngannou said that when he would come back to the cage remains unknown. To recall, the fighter is preparing for his second boxing match, which will be against Anthony Joshua. Additionally, Ngannou is hoping to rematch Tyson Fury, and the boxing star is planning the same. With all this, Ngannou said that his MMA return will all depend on how his upcoming boxing fight will end up.
“It’s my intention to return to (MMA). When exactly? I think all depends on March 8. Everything depends on March 8,” Ngannou said. “… I haven’t finished my MMA career. I just wanted to chase my dream in boxing. Obviously, I can enjoy both and combine whenever the opportunity is there. I’m not done with MMA. I have an intention to come back and fight and put on some shows.
“… That doesn’t change anything. I think on March 8, whatever happens, the fight is happening. … I take out Anthony Joshua on March 8. Then, I have an opportunity for the undisputed right away to fight. I think it’s a great opportunity not to miss out.”
