Ngannou to make PFL debut vs. Ferreira on Oct. 19
Francis Ngannou's return to MMA is set.
The PFL announced Wednesday that Ngannou will make his debut with the promotion in the main event of an Oct. 19 card against Renan Ferreira. The winner will receive the PFL super fights championship belt.
Also on the card, Cris Cyborg will take on Larissa Pacheco for a PFL championship belt.
The October matchup will mark Ngannou's first MMA fight in over two years. His last MMA action came at UFC 270 in January 2022, when he successfully defended his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane.
Ngannou left the UFC in January 2023 and was stripped of his title. Despite signing with PFL in May 2023, the former champion has focused on boxing and competed in two high-profile fights against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua over the last year, losing both.
Ferreira holds a 13-3 (3 NCs) record in MMA, with 11 victories coming via knockout. The 6-foot-8, 260-pound fighter is riding a four-fight winning streak.
Cyborg will also be making her PFL debut during the Oct. 19 event. She last competed in October 2023, winning a Bellator fight against Cat Zingano. The 39-year-old has a 27-2 record with one no-contest.
Pacheco hasn't lost an MMA fight since December 2019 and owns a 10-match win streak.