On Saturday, Francis Ngannou returned to MMA and defeated Renan Ferreira in the very first round. Unfortunately, he wasn't specific about whether he will be fighting again in MMA or boxing but did seem to keep the fighting door open.
"You know, I think my next move in combat sports, it all depends on me, on how I feel, how I deal with my life right now but otherwise I think, I always thought I still have a lot to give in the combat sport and hopefully I keep thinking that way," he said.
That leaves Ngannou open to several possibilities on who he should fight next in both boxing and MMA.
Boxing & MMA - Deontay Wilder
Hear me out on this one: Deontay Wilder has been hinting that he wants to try MMA and has been at several PFL events. Perhaps the PFL could negotiate a 1 vs. 1 fight where they fight twice, once in boxing and once in MMA. It would be historic because, so far, no big name male boxers have ever crossed over to MMA. This would build the right excitement and would leave both men open for a probable win.
MMA - Winner of 2024 PFL season
There are not a lot of options for Ngannou in the PFL. But the next likely opponent for him would be whoever wins the 2024 PFL heavyweight season. On Nov. 29, the PFL returns to Riyadh to end the season with a heavyweight title fight between Denis Goltsov and Oleg Popov. Neither of those men are "big" names in terms of MMA but if the PFL plays it right they can build the fight up and make it exciting for the fans.
MMA - Jon Jones
I know it's never going to happen but that doesn't mean it isn't going to end up on our wish list. Jones vs. Ngannou is arguably the biggest fight that can be made right now. I'm not going to hold my breath over this one, but putting the good vibes in the air can't hurt, right?