Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou, who signed with the PFL league last year, will return to mixed martial arts to face the winner of this weekend’s superfight between Ryan Bader and Henan Ferreira.
This was announced by the organization’s CEO, Peter Murray, in an official press release issued by the organization.
“The PFL is pleased to announce the return of Francis Ngannou to MMA against the winner of the heavyweight superfight between Bellator champion Ryan Bader and PFL champion Henan Ferreira,” said the PFL CEO. “Francis is a true martial arts icon who has fans around the world and has garnered a lot of attention. We, as well as the rest of the MMA world, will be watching with interest to see who will be his opponent, Bader or Ferreira”
Francis Ngannou confirmed the news in an interview with ESPN.
There is no information yet on when exactly “The Predator” will fight under MMA rules. At the moment, the Cameroonian heavyweight continues to prepare for a boxing match against former world champion Anthony Joshua, with whom he will share the ring on March 8 in Riyadh. Moreover, in case of victory over the Briton, Ngannou will become the main candidate for a fight with the absolute world champion in heavyweight boxing, which will be determined in the fight between Tyson Fury and Alexander Usik.
Last October, the former UFC champion made his professional boxing debut, losing by split decision to Tyson Fury after ten rounds, knocking out the reigning world champion in the third round.
The fight between Ryan Bader and Henan Ferreira will be the main event of the joint PFL and Bellator tournament, which will take place on February 24 in Riyadh.
Source: https://fighttime.ru/news/item/33994-frensis-ngannu-vozvrashchaetsya-v-mma.html?rand=19907
