Former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou announces his next MMA fight after two years out of the octagon

Francis Ngannou has finally revealed his plan to make a long-awaited return to the Octagon almost two years after his acrimonious split from the UFC.

The former world heavyweight champion shocked the combat sports world when he floored boxer Tyson Fury before losing a controversial split decision last October, leaving fight fans clamoring for his return to mixed martial arts. .

Now, the 193cm, 117kg knockout artist has announced that he will face the winner of the Renan Ferreira and Ryan Bader fight on this weekend’s PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions card.

The fight extravaganza in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will feature seven matchups between current and former champions from rival MMA organizations, with the clash of Ferreira and Bader being the main attraction.

Bellator champion Bader has the third-most wins in modern UFC light heavyweight history, has defeated greats like Antonio Nogueira and Fedor Emelianenko and is currently on a three-fight winning streak.

PFL champion Ferreira comes into the fight with a record of 12 wins and three losses, he is also on a three-game winning streak and has a height, reach and weight advantage thanks to his 203cm, 118kg frame. .

Ngannou is currently in Riyadh preparing for his boxing fight against former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua and will be at the PFL vs Bellator event.

His fight against Ferreira or Bader will be the first for the PFL after signing a groundbreaking deal with the organization in May of last year.

The 36-year-old Cameroonian will participate in the PFL’s Super-fight division, which allows fighters to earn at least 50 percent of the PPV revenue.

It’s a far cry from the 20 percent cut the UFC offers for fighters, and Ngannou also gets stock in the PFL.

The Bader vs Ferreira fight is far from the only eye-catching clash on the card, which begins at 4am this Sunday, AEDT.

Fireworks are guaranteed when hard-hitting Thiago Santos takes on Yoel Romero, PFL light heavyweight king Impa Kasanganay puts his 15-3 record on the line against undefeated American Johnny Eblen, and Jesús Pinedo attempts to score his number one win. 24 against Patricio Pitbull.

Claressa Shields, commonly considered the best boxer in the world, will have her third mixed martial arts fight when she steps into the octagon with Kelsey DeSantis.

Biaggio Ali Walsh, who previously told Daily Mail Australia how his grandfather Muhammad Ali inspired his rise through the boxing ranks, is making his professional debut against Emmanuel Palacio after amassing an impressive 6-1 record in the amateur MMA ranks. , with all his victories by KO or TKO.

You can watch all the action from the PFL Champions vs Bellator Champions event at sport from 4am Sunday, AEDT.