Skip to main content Skip to footer 
Francis Ngannou, the formidable mixed martial artist and former UFC heavyweight champion, is poised to make his Professional Fighters League (PFL) debut against the victor of the upcoming clash between Ryan Bader and Renan Ferreira.
Ngannou, 37, joined the PFL last year and is currently preparing for a high-profile boxing match against Anthony Joshua scheduled for March 8th in Riyadh. Despite narrowly losing his boxing debut to Tyson Fury in October, Ngannou remains a highly anticipated figure in combat sports.
PFL chief Peter Murray previously indicated that Ngannou’s MMA debut with the promotion would likely occur in the latter part of the year. However, with Ngannou’s participation in the boxing ring imminent, his debut in the PFL seems to be fast-tracked.
Ryan Bader, a 40-year-old American, and Renan Ferreira, a 34-year-old Brazilian, are set to face off in Saudi Arabia on Saturday as part of a PFL vs. Bellator Champions event. Ngannou, who will be in attendance at the event, awaits the outcome of this pivotal matchup to determine his first opponent in the PFL.
Peter Murray expressed excitement about Ngannou’s debut, emphasizing his status as a global icon in combat sports and the anticipation surrounding his transition to the PFL arena.
The event in Riyadh marks the first collaboration between PFL and Bellator since the PFL’s acquisition of Bellator in November, a move hailed as transformative within the MMA landscape.
Ngannou’s return to MMA comes after a hiatus following his title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. A subsequent knee injury sidelined him for a year, leading to his departure from the UFC and subsequent signing with the PFL.
