After his brutal knockout at the hands of Anthony Joshua, the heavyweight sensation Francis Ngannou is gearing up for his PFL debut. The former UFC champion recently spilled the beans on his upcoming debut fight.
Ngannou’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After parting ways with the UFC, he inked a deal with PFL. But before stepping into the cage, he tried his hand at boxing. Now, the ‘Predator’ is ready to return to his MMA roots. He is eyeing a showdown with Renan Ferreira, a rising star in the heavyweight division.
“I will be fighting by the end of the year…I think Renan Ferreira is the guy,” Ngannou said via JRE MMA Show.
Ngannou has been keeping tabs on Ferreira for a while now and is impressed by the latter’s athleticism. The fight is tentatively scheduled for October, possibly on the 19th. However, the date isn’t set in stone just yet. PFL is reportedly still ironing out the details.
The Predator’s PFL debut has been coming for a long time. He signed with PFL almost over a year ago, but boxing matches delayed his MMA return. The venue for this heavyweight clash would likely be Saudi Arabia. PFL has been cozying up to the Middle Eastern nation lately. Ferreira earned his shot at Ngannou with a knockout win over Ryan Bader. That victory put him on the map and caught Ngannou’s attention.
Francis Ngannou Opens Up About the Death Of His Young Son
Ngannou, the powerhouse of MMA, recently revealed a softer side. The former UFC champion opened up about a personal, heartbreaking loss. Ngannou’s 15-month-old son, named after basketball legend Kobe Bryant, passed away last April. The news sent shockwaves through the MMA community, prompting an outpouring of support.
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In a candid conversation with Joe Rogan, the Predator talked about his son’s passing. He expressed his vulnerable side despite having an intimidating presence in the octagon. Ngannou spoke about the emptiness that followed his son’s death. But he felt a sense of relief as well, revealing he will meet him soon. On the JRE MMA show, Ngannou said,
“But at least for once I’m like, at least whenever I die, I’m going to see my kid. I’m gonna see him. I’m not afraid of it.”
Despite the tragedy, the Predator maintains his love for life. Ngannou’s strength isn’t just physical; it’s emotional, too. He faced a loss that no parent should ever have to deal with. His story serves as a poignant reminder of life’s fragility—even those who seem invincible in the ring face personal battles that break them into millions of pieces.
Also Read: UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley Rips Into “Mentally Weak” Conor McGregor
