Francis Ngannou is set to make his return to mixed martial arts against PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira on October 19, following a challenging year marked by the tragic loss of his 15-month-old son. During a press conference, Ferreira controversially stated he would be Ngannou's 'biggest problem' this year, which many interpreted as a reference to Ngannou's personal grief. This comment sparked outrage among fans and commentators, who deemed it insensitive, with MMA journalist Ariel Helwani labeling it 'despicable'. Ferreira later clarified that his comments were only in reference to Ngannou's competitive challenges, and not his personal losses, expressing empathy for Ngannou's situation. Ngannou, who has not fought in nearly three years, aims to channel his grief into motivation for the upcoming fight. The bout is highly anticipated as it marks Ngannou's first MMA fight since leaving the UFC and his promotional debut in the PFL.