Cameroon’s Francis Ngannou gestures during a weigh-in in Riyadh on October 18, 2024, before … [+]
Don’t expect Francis Ngannou’s next fight to take place in the PFL SmartCage.
The reigning PFL SuperFights heavyweight champion is likely to look at a return to boxing, says PFL owner Donn Davis.
“If I had to guess, I would think boxing would be given the opportunities that he has first,” Davis said in an interview with MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck. “I don’t want to say anything about it – it’s his job to announce it – but he has incredible boxing opportunities. So I think that’s more likely to come first, and MMA is likely to come second. But what I believe you will see from Francis this year is an MMA fight in the PFL and a boxing match from Francis. So, I think Francis fans will see him do one of each this year.”
Here’s a full look at the interview:
It’s great to see the PFL continue to shine a light on Ngannou’s desire to box professionally. It was one of the biggest reasons he decided to sign with the PFL for a return to the UFC.
Ngannou had two professional boxing bouts between October 2023 and March 2024. He lost both, but in very different ways. In October, Ngannou nearly shocked the world when he stopped then-champion Tyson Fury and narrowly lost a split decision.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 28: Francis Ngannou knocks out Tyson Fury at heavyweight … [+]
As it turns out, that was the last time Fury won a fight. In March, Ngannou was knocked out by Anthony Joshua. AJ destroyed Ngannou with one of the loudest knockouts of 2024.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 08: Francis Ngannou reacts after being knocked down by Anthony Joshua … [+]
Ngannou would eventually make his PFL debut after enduring a terrible personal tragedy with the loss of his son. Ngannou knocked out Renan Ferreira to take the SuperFights title in October 2024.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 19: Francis Ngannou of Cameroon defeats Renan Ferreira (not seen) by … [+]
What “unbelievable” boxing opportunities are on the table for Ngannou?
At one point, there was talk of him facing Deontay Wilder, but that doesn’t appear to be what’s next for Ngannou. Wilder has reportedly signed to fight heavyweight contender Curtis Harper in a bid to bounce back from back-to-back losses to Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang.
You would imagine that Ngannou’s next boxing match would come against a fighter with a name that everyone would recognize.
Still, it’s hard to imagine who else Ngannou would fight that would be worth his time. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has seen a rise in popularity since becoming one of the personalities on the Jaxxon Podcast. In fact, he is already rumored to be in a boxing match with former UFC opponent and lightweight champion Rashad Evans.
Rampage is an incredible concept, but this could be where the promoter should look for Ngannou’s next boxing match. The last thing Ngannou’s people would want to do is drop him in a fight where he’s a big loser.
At this point, to legitimize his boxing career, he needs a win. Regardless of how well he performed against Fury, another loss would still equate to an 0-3 record as a professional boxer, and that would make him difficult to take seriously in that arena moving forward.
