Francis Ngannou’s showdown with Anthony Joshua is just over two weeks away, but it has already been announced who Ngannou will face next.
In his debut back in October, he shocked the world when taking on WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, dropping the ‘Gypsy King’ in round three and having many people believe he had done enough to earn the verdict.
It wasn’t to be though, with Fury earning a split decision win, but Ngannou’s efforts in that fight has earned him another big clash, this time against Joshua.
While the two men are yet to step into the ring, Ngannou’s future following Joshua has been revealed, and it includes a return to his natural discipline.
It was announced by MMA outfit PFL that the 37-year-old will head back into the cage to face the winner of this Saturday’s fight between Renan Ferriera and Ryan Bader, competing in mixed martial arts for the first time since January 2022.
🚨𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨
𝗛𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦 For Saturday Night 👀@francis_ngannou will face the winner of the Renan Ferriera vs Ryan Bader bout#PFLvsBellatorpic.twitter.com/4dP9RqYiMu
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 22, 2024
Before Ngannou can look ahead to returning to MMA, he must first face Joshua, who heads into the fight appearing to be back to his best.
He competed on three occasions in 2023, earning wins over Otto Wallin, Robert Helenius and Jermaine Franklin, and will be hoping to make it four wins in 11 months when he meets Ngannou.