Francis Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, is set to make his highly anticipated return to MMA on October 19, where he will face Brazilian fighter Renan Ferreira in his debut for the Professional Fighters League (PFL). This fight marks Ngannou’s first MMA bout since leaving the UFC in 2023 to pursue a brief but high-profile career in boxing. Ngannou, 37, spent the past year in the boxing ring, facing former world champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. Despite his formidable knockout power, Ngannou was defeated in both matches, losing to Joshua by knockout in the second round in March after a split decision loss to Fury. His return to MMA is eagerly awaited by fans who remember his devastating run in the UFC, where he secured 17 victories, 12 by knockout, in 20 fights.

Ferreira, who won the PFL heavyweight tournament in 2023, has long been mentioned as Ngannou’s next opponent, especially after his impressive victory over Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader earlier this year. The 34-year-old Brazilian has 13 wins, 11 by knockout, in his MMA career, making this bout with Ngannou a potential clash filled with heavy strikes.

Also on the October 19 card, longtime Bellator featherweight champion Cris Cyborg will face PFL’s two-division champion Larissa Pacheco. The winners of both fights will be awarded the newly established PFL “super-fights” championship belt, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.

Ngannou’s return to MMA is a significant boost for the PFL, which is striving to establish itself as a serious competitor to the UFC. As the president of the upcoming African league of the PFL, set to launch in 2025, Ngannou’s presence adds star power and credibility to the organization as it continues its expansion.