Francis Ngannou Returns to MMA Against Renan Ferreira

Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to make his long-awaited return to mixed martial arts (MMA) as he faces 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the PFL Battle of the Giants on October 19, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Ngannou's comeback follows a year filled with personal tragedy, including the death of his young son, and a tumultuous boxing career where he faced both Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Despite his knockout loss to Joshua in March, Ngannou remains a favorite going into this superfight, which marks his first MMA bout in nearly three years. The event promises an exciting card with multiple title fights, showcasing some of the sport's most feared knockout artists. Ngannou's PFL contract allows him to pursue boxing while competing in MMA, a freedom not afforded by his previous UFC contract. As he steps into the PFL SmartCage, questions linger about whether Ngannou has fully recovered from his boxing setbacks and how the layoff will affect his performance.