After a hiatus from MMA competition, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to the sport in October. Ngannou will be taking on 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in what promises to be an exciting showdown on a PFL pay-per-view superfight card scheduled for Oct. 19. This marks Ngannou’s first MMA bout since defending his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in January 2022.
Ngannou’s departure from the UFC was surrounded by controversy, as contract talks collapsed due to disagreements over health insurance and personal sponsorships. Despite being the reigning UFC heavyweight champion at the time, Ngannou was stripped of the belt by UFC president Dana White in January 2023. This turn of events led Ngannou to seek opportunities elsewhere, eventually signing with PFL in May 2023 in a deal that also made him chairman and equity owner in PFL Africa.
During his time away from MMA, Ngannou ventured into boxing and faced off against heavyweight champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. His fight against Fury went the distance, with Ngannou coming close to pulling off an upset. However, his bout against Joshua ended in a quick defeat after being floored multiple times in the early rounds. Despite the mixed results in boxing, Ngannou’s performances garnered attention and established him as a credible contender in the heavyweight division.
In his upcoming fight against Renan Ferreira, Ngannou faces a tough challenge. Ferreira, who has been active in MMA with eight fights since Ngannou’s last bout, is coming off an impressive 21-second victory over Ryan Bader. With a strong determination to succeed, Ferreira has been preparing rigorously for the fight and aims to give Ngannou a tough competition.
The fight between Ngannou and Ferreira is shaping up to be a battle of two skilled heavyweights with contrasting styles. Ngannou’s explosive power and striking abilities will be put to the test against Ferreira’s athleticism and speed. As both fighters bring their unique strengths and strategies into the cage, fans can anticipate an intense and thrilling matchup between two accomplished athletes.
Alongside the Ngannou vs. Ferreira showdown, the October card will feature Cris „Cyborg“ Justino taking on Larissa Pacheco in another highly anticipated bout. With a lineup of exciting fights and talented fighters, the PFL pay-per-view event promises to deliver an unforgettable night of MMA action for fans around the world.
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