PFL CEO: Ngannou 'committed' to MMA, will return in 2024

PFL CEO Peter Murray is confident that Francis Ngannou will make his PFL debut in 2024 despite the fact he booked a boxing match with Anthony Joshua.

"We're really proud and happy for Francis, but he will be returning to the cage later this year after the Joshua fight," Murray told MMA reporter John Morgan earlier this week.

"Francis is gonna take on both sports," he added.

It was announced last week that Ngannou, a former UFC heavyweight champion, will make his sophomore boxing appearance against ex-boxing champ Joshua in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reportedly on March 8.

Ngannou said Monday on "The MMA Hour" that there is a chance he won't compete in MMA this year. The Cameroon native wants a rematch against WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury after the Joshua fight, whether or not Fury beats Oleksandr Usyk in their Feb. 17 undisputed title bout. Ngannou lost to Fury via split decision in his pro boxing debut last October.

However, Murray can't picture a scenario in which the PFL steps aside again to let Ngannou box for a third time before he returns to MMA. The PFL signed a landmark deal with Ngannou last May, four months after "The Predator" left the UFC as a free agent and the reigning heavyweight champion.

"Francis is committed to the PFL," Murray said when asked about the possibility of Ngannou staying in boxing for the rest of 2024 if he beats Joshua. "He's committed to continuing competing in MMA, so we don't expect that."

Ngannou hasn't fought in MMA since beating Ciryl Gane in January 2022.