After a break in boxing, the Cameroonian fighter returns to do MMA within the PFL organization. Speaking to AFP, he introduces himself as “still the same fighter.”
For his return to the cage, former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou will face Brazilian Renan Ferreira for the PFL heavyweight belt on October 19 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia), the new stronghold of combat sports.
Absent since January 2022 on my MMA scene, Francis Ngannou considers himself to be ” the same fighter. I have the same techniques, I have the same desires, I have the same convictions, I have the same determination. That, in my opinion, is what characterizes the fighter. In the meantime, there have been other things that have made me ask myself questions about certain things in life (Editor’s note: the death of his son in April at the age of 15 months). But other than that, I think I’m the same.»
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After a notable stint against Tyson Fury and Antony Joshua in boxing, the Cameroonian fighter is returning to his first love. For him, this is not a comeback, because his fighting style is inspired as much by boxing as by MMA. Fighting against two of the best boxers in the world helped him learn boxing. I still collected a lot of information on what boxing is exactly, and how it works. Boxing and MMA, politically as well as sportingly, are two very different things.
A return on tiptoe
At one time taken aback by his ability to resume, Ngannou quickly realized that he had lost none of his level, despite two years of absence. Sure, you get there and it’s been two years since you fought, you’re like, am I going to be able to answer all the questions? But you get there and you realize the muscle memory is there. »
Moving from the UFC to the PFL, Ngannou expressed his preference for his new employer. There are some things that have bothered me about my relationship with the UFC. I think I’m better regarded in the PFL. » However, the 38-year-old colossus is not finished with boxing, quite the contrary. “I’m not done with boxing, I plan to return to it. If possible, in 2025, you will still see me in the ring.»
