RIYADH, Saudi Arabia - It's a big moment for the MMA world this weekend when Francis Ngannou returns to the cage for the first time since 2022.
He will be featuring in the main event of PFL's Battle of the Giants live on DAZN, and he will be taking on 2023 PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in Riyadh.
For Ngannou, this is a huge moment for his MMA career with it being his PFL debut and the first outing since a heated split with the UFC.
- Read next: 'The real deal!' - MMA pundits weigh in on Francis Ngannou's comeback chances against Renan Ferreira
But while the Cameroonian fighter may not be stepping into the Octagon this coming Saturday, there is one particular name which continues to linger, UFC champion Jon Jones.
Jones is set to finally make the first defence of his UFC heavyweight title next month against Stipe Miocic, a man Ngannou has already beaten, and it is currently unknown as to whether Jones will fight on or retire once this defence is over.
If Jones does decide to keep his MMA active, one fight which fans will be eager to see is a clash with Ngannou, but the promotional differences is a huge obstacle.
Ngannou has been open to the possibility of what would be a huge crossover event, and excitement was heightened when Ngannou and Jones went head-to-head at a PFL event last year.
With Saturday's fight against Ferreira being the third time Ngannou has fought in Riyadh, the 38-year-old believes if a fight with Jones was to happen, the country of Saudi Arabia will be the likely destination.
"Yes, I think there is more of a chance of it happening in Saudi Arabia," Ngannou told DAZN.
"There's basically more of a chance if it happens here."
| Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira | Heavyweight world title |
| Cris Cyborg vs. Larissa Pacheco | Women's featherweight world title |
| Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards | Bellator middleweight world title |
| Husein Kadimagomaev vs. Zafar Mohsen | Featherweight |
| AJ McKee vs. Paul Hughes | Lightweight |
| Raufeon Stots vs. Marcos Breno | Bantamweight |
| Makkasharip Zaynukov vs. Dedrek Sanders | Lightweight |
| Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Nacho Campos | Featherweight |
| Mostafa Rashed Nada vs. Ahmed Sami | Middleweight |
| Tariq Ismail vs. Taha Bendaoud | Featherweight |
Before the remote possibility of a Jones fight from happening can take a positive step, Ngannou must first deal with Ferreira which is no easy task.
The Brazilian won all four of his fights in 2023 en-route to becoming the PFL heavyweight champion, and this feat was all the more impressive with these victories coming by way of knockout, and now he will look to make it a five in a row on Saturday night.
Watch Ngannou vs. Ferreira on DAZN
Watch Francis Ngannou's return to the cage as he faces Renan Ferreira in the PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants this Saturday on DAZN Pay-Per-View.
The card also features Cris Cyborg against Larissa Pacheco for the women's featherweight world title.
The PPV is priced at £19.99 for UK viewers to watch on any device, including Smart TV's, game consoles, phones, tablets and PC's.
To purchase and find the prices in your region click here.
Purchasing the PPV includes a seven-day free trial of all of DAZN's programming across a range of sports.
More PFL
- Ngannou ready for PFL debut after years away from MMA
- Bellator middleweight world title rematch added to 'Battle of the Giants'
- PFL alternative viewing experience for Battle of the Giants with DAZN
- Jake Paul talks Jon Jones fighting the winner of Ngannou vs. Ferreira
- PFL announces launch of PFL Africa