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Francis Ngannou is poised to make his return to MMA with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) this summer, according to PFL CEO Peter Murray. The promotion plans to announce Ngannou's opponent later this month, as the Cameroonian fighter prepares for his upcoming boxing match against Anthony Joshua in Riyadh on March 8.
Ngannou, 37, made his heavyweight boxing debut in October, facing Tyson Fury in a split-decision defeat. Despite this setback, Ngannou is yet to make his debut in the PFL after joining the promotion last year.
"We'll have another event in the second half of the year, this summer likely, and we expect Francis to return to MMA in the PFL Smartcage," Murray said.
"And we're very excited for Francis and his upcoming bout against Anthony Joshua. I would not rule out Francis Ngannou in this fight, don't underestimate him."
The PFL recently acquired fellow MMA promotion Bellator, and the organization will host its first event featuring fighters from both rosters in a champion versus champion card in Riyadh on February 24. Murray mentioned that the PFL intends to announce details about Ngannou's opponent "in conjunction with our 24 February event."
Ngannou's return to MMA comes after a knee injury sidelined him for a year following his title defense against Ciryl Gane in January 2022. He was subsequently stripped of the title upon leaving the UFC and later signed a contract with the PFL. However, Ngannou has yet to compete in the promotion, choosing instead to face WBC heavyweight champion Fury in a non-title bout in October.
Despite his defeat to Fury, Ngannou's performance, which included knocking down the undefeated Fury in the third round with a left hook, garnered widespread attention in the boxing world. This has led to speculation about Ngannou's future in boxing, although his return to MMA with the PFL indicates his commitment to both sports.