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Mixed Martial Arts

Francis Ngannou set to make early return to MMA after Anthony Joshua defeat

Ash Rose
Francis Ngannou set to make early return to MMA after Anthony Joshua defeatMark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing
The Cameroonian will switch short-term attention back to MMA.

Francis Ngannou looks set to make an early return to combat sports this summer with an MMA showdown. 

Ngannou is currently taking time out after his brutal knockout defeat to Anthony Joshua earlier this month, but is still expected to continue his move into boxing. 

Before his impressive display against Tyson Fury last year, the Cameroonian also signed a deal with MMA promotion PFL, having departed UFC. 

Now it looks like he's set for his first fight in the promotion after PFL president Don Davis confirmed the exact plans for his return in an interview with The MMA Hour

"I’m rooting for Francis all the time but now he’s coming back early, will it be as early as July – maybe, will it be as late as September – no later," He said. 

"But you’ll now see Francis in 2024 in the PFL against ‘Lo Problemo’ [Renan Ferreira] in what I believe is the fight that I’m looking forward to the most in the heavyweight divisions of all MMA.

“That will be a PPV fight, that card will also have Cris Cyborg vs Larissa Pacheco as the co-main fight, that card will also have Cedric Doumbe against someone who we will announce.

"So that fight [card] is going to be big, just because of Francis, but that card will have other very compelling match-ups on it.”

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