Francis Ngannou is set to return to mixed martial arts for the first time since January 2022. The former UFC heavyweight champion will make his PFL debut when he takes on 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in a PFL pay-per-view on Oct. 19, the promotion announced on Wednesday. Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will also end her nearly one-year layoff on the card when she faces 2023 PFL featherweight champion Larissa Pacheco.
After Ngannou split from the UFC in January 2023 following a contentious and public negotiation with the promotion. Ngannou, who held the UFC championship at the time, wanted to pursue big-money boxing fights among other things the UFC would not allow for their top fighter.
Ngannou was able to land those boxing matches after separating from the UFC. First, Ngannou took then-undefeated Tyson Fury to the limit, scoring a knockdown before losing a split decision and shocking the boxing world. His second trip to the boxing ring was not as successful, with Ngannou suffering a brutal…
