Undisputed Heavyweight Champion Francis “The Predator” Ngannou will make his much-anticipated return to MMA on October 19 for the World Title Fight of the year against PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan “Problema” Ferreira.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) announced on Wednesday that Ngannou, who last competed in MMA in 2022, has been focusing on boxing, with high-profile bouts against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia. However, the “Baddest Man on the Planet” is now shifting his focus back to MMA, where he will face his toughest challenge yet in the form of the towering Brazilian, Ferreira.
In the co-main event of the PFL PPV Super Fight, the greatest women’s MMA fighter of all time, Cris “Cyborg” (27-2, 1 NC), will take on two-time PFL Champion Larissa Pacheco. The event will be broadcast live on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S. and DAZN worldwide.
“The Professional Fighters League is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of superstar and undisputed Heavyweight Champion Francis Ngannou to MMA in ‘The Battle of the Giants’ against the most feared Heavyweight, 6’8″ 2023 PFL Heavyweight Champion Renan Ferreira, in the biggest world title fight of the year,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray.
Commenting on his upcoming fight, Ngannou said, “Renan is a great fighter; I’ve been watching him for years. I’ve been studying him for years; in fact, I’ve been telling people to watch this guy. He’s quite unique—athletic and fast. His size doesn’t impress me as much as his skill.”
In the co-main event, Cris Cyborg’s legacy will be on the line as she faces off against PFL two-division champion Pacheco (23-4), who is determined to prove she is the greatest women’s MMA fighter on the planet.
“We are incredibly excited to broadcast this blockbuster night of PFL action on October 19,” said Pete Oliver, CEO of Growth Markets at DAZN. “Francis Ngannou is one of the biggest names in combat sports, and with the formidable Renan Ferreira, this fight night is not to be missed.”
